title: Is there influence of the load addition during treadmill training on cardiovascular parameters and gait performance in patients with stroke? A randomized clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although exercises involving both lower limbs are indicated for aerobic training, stroke patients have shown expressive asymmetry between the paretic and non-paretic lower limb (NPLL). Performing activities that stimulate the paretic limb during aerobic exercise may optimize training results.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate if there is influence of load addition on NPLL during treadmill training on cardiovascular parameters and gait performance of subacute stroke patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-eight stroke subjects with gait deficits were randomized into experimental group, which underwent treadmill training with a mass attached on NPLL, and control group, which underwent only treadmill training. Interventions lasted 2 weeks (9 sessions). Main outcomes were heart rate, arterial blood pressure, gait speed and distance covered. Assessments occurred at rest, 10th and 20th minutes of the session and immediately after each session.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was improvement in speed and walking distance in both groups. All cardiovascular parameters had showed no changes compared to 1st and 9th sessions and there were no differences between groups within each session.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Load addition on NPLL did not alter cardiovascular parameters and gait training provide better gait performance of subacute stroke patients, which indicates this therapy can be considered useful and safe for these patients.
authors.forename: Tatiana Souza
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.forename: Tállyta Camyla
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Chaves da Silva
authors.forename: Renata
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Carlos
authors.forename: Emília Márcia Gomes
authors.initials: EMG
authors.lastname: de Souza E Silva
authors.forename: Matheus Oliveira
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Lacerda
authors.forename: Ana Paula
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Spaniol
authors.forename: Ana Raquel Rodrigues
authors.initials: ARR
authors.lastname: Lindquist
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Gait; aerobic exercise; cardiovascular system; rehabilitation