title: The Effects of POWER Training in Young and Older Adults after Stroke.
abstract: Background. Approximately 35,000 strokes occur annually in adults below the age of 40, and there is disappointingly little data describing their responses to rehabilitation. The purpose of this analysis was to determine the effects of Poststroke Optimization of Walking using Explosive Resistance (POWER) training in young (<40 years) and older (>60 years) adults and to describe relationships between training-induced improvements in muscular and locomotor function. Methods. Data was analyzed from 16 individuals with chronic stroke who participated in 24 sessions of POWER training. Outcomes included muscle power generation, self-selected walking speed (SSWS), 6-minute walk test, Fugl-Meyer motor assessment, Berg Balance Scale, and Dynamic Gait Index. Results. There were no significant differences between groups at baseline. Within-group comparisons revealed significant improvements in paretic and nonparetic knee extensor muscle power generation in both groups. Additionally, young participants significantly improved SSWS. Improvements in SSWS were more strongly associated with improvements in power generation on both sides in young versus older participants. Conclusions. Younger adults after stroke seem to preferentially benefit from POWER training, particularly when increasing gait speed is a rehabilitation goal. Future research should aim to further understand age-related differences in response to training to provide optimal treatments for all individuals following stroke.
authors: Department of Health Sciences and Research, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, 77 President Street, MSC 700, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
authors: Jennifer L
authors: 0000-0001-7588-6676
authors: JL
authors: Hunnicutt
authors: Department of Health Sciences and Research, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, 77 President Street, MSC 700, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
authors: Stacey E
authors: SE
authors: Aaron
authors: Department of Health Sciences and Research, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, 77 President Street, MSC 700, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; Division of Physical Therapy, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, 151-B Rutledge Avenue, MSC 962, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, 109 Bee Street, Charleston, SC 29401, USA.
authors: Aaron E
authors: AE
authors: Embry
authors: Department of Health Sciences and Research, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, 77 President Street, MSC 700, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, 109 Bee Street, Charleston, SC 29401, USA.
authors: Brian
authors: B
authors: Cence
authors: Department of Health Sciences and Research, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, 77 President Street, MSC 700, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
authors: Patrick
authors: P
authors: Morgan
authors: Department of Health Sciences and Research, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, 77 President Street, MSC 700, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; Division of Physical Therapy, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, 151-B Rutledge Avenue, MSC 962, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, 109 Bee Street, Charleston, SC 29401, USA.
authors: Mark G
authors: 0000-0002-3885-9684
authors: MG
authors: Bowden
authors: Department of Health Sciences and Research, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, 77 President Street, MSC 700, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; Division of Physical Therapy, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, 151-B Rutledge Avenue, MSC 962, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, 109 Bee Street, Charleston, SC 29401, USA.
authors: Chris M
authors: CM
authors: Gregory