title: A Randomized Trial Investigating the Influence of Strength Training on Quality of Life in Ischemic Stroke.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Strength training post stroke is widely acknowledged as an important part of a rehabilitation program. Muscle strength has been shown to be a significant contributor to physical disability after stroke, which in turn has an immense impact on the reintegration of patients into society, affecting their quality of life.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This was a randomized intervention trial to determine the effect of a resistance training program on the quality of life in patients with stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  An experimental group (EG), consisting of 11 subjects aged 51.7 ± 8.0 years, and a control group (CG), consisting of 13 subjects aged 52.5 ± 7.7 years, were studied before and after 12 weeks. EG underwent 12 weeks of strength training three times a week. The CG did not undergo strength training during the 12-week study period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant increase in quality of life from pre-test to post-test (Δ% = 21.47%; p = 0.021) in EG. There were significant differences in all indicators of quality of life between groups at 12 weeks. There were greater gains in strength in EG than in CG (p ≤ 0.05). There was a negative correlation between the strength gains as determined with the 1RM test and the quality of life, especially in lower limb exercises.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study indicate that there was an improvement in the measures of strength in EG, and that there was a correlation between improvements in strength and quality of life in these patients who had previously suffered a stroke at least one year prior to study.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Physical Education , Federal University of Sergipe , São Cristóvão , Sergipe , Brazil.|b Fire Brigade of Minas Gerais , 5th Battalion Fire Military Fire Brigade of the State of Minas Gerais, New Horizons Program, Uberlandia , Minas Gerais , Brazil.
authors.forename: Felipe José
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Aidar
authors.affiliation: c Department of Physical Education , University of Brasília - Unb , Brasília , Distrito Federal , Brazil.
authors.forename: Ricardo Jacó
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.affiliation: d Department of Sports Science , Exercise and Health of the Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro University , Vila Real , Portugal.
authors.forename: Dihogo Gama
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: de Matos
authors.affiliation: d Department of Sports Science , Exercise and Health of the Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro University , Vila Real , Portugal.
authors.forename: Mauro Lucio
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Mazini Filho
authors.affiliation: e Institute of Biological Sciences and Health , Federal University of Viçosa , Campus Florestal, Florestal , Minas Gerais , Brazil.
authors.forename: Osvaldo Costa
authors.initials: OC
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.affiliation: f Department of Physical Education , Federal University of Viçosa , Campus Viçosa, Viçosa , Minas Gerais , Brazil.
authors.forename: Cláudia Eliza Patrocínio
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.affiliation: g Departments of Kinesiology, and Physiology, Center for Health Disparities, Human Performance Laboratory , East Carolina University , Greenville , NC , USA.|h Department of Biokinetics, Exercise and Leisure Sciences, College of Health Sciences , University of KwaZulu-Natal , Westville Campus, Durban , South Africa.
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Hickner
authors.affiliation: i Sport Research Centre, Health and Human Development (CIDESD) , University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, UTAD , Vila Real , Portugal.
authors.forename: Victor Machado
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Reis
mesh_terms: D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Exercise; Motivation; Quality of life; Stroke rehabilitation