The results revealed that despite significant strength gains , many studies failed to show a significant improvement in walking capacity .
Strength testing and strengthening exercises were prioritized for the knee extensors and flexors , despite their relatively minor role in human walking .
Strengthening exercises performed in the neurologic population are not specific to the main muscle groups responsible for the power generation required for walking .
There is a predisposition for strength testing and strengthening exercises to focus on the knee flexors and extensors despite their relatively minor role during walking .
The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the task specificity of strength training programs for walking in neurologic rehabilitation .
Muscle strengthening and physical conditioning to reduce impairment and disability in chronic stroke survivors.
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of a program of muscle strengthening and physical conditioning on  impairment and disability in chronic stroke subjects . DESIGN A r and omized pretest and posttest control group , followed by a single-group pretest and posttest design . SUBJECTS Thirteen community-dwelling stroke survivors of at least 9 months . INTERVENTION A 10-week ( 3 days/week ) program consisting of a warm-up , aerobic exercises , lower extremity muscle strengthening , and a cool-down . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Peak isokinetic torque of the major muscle groups of the affected lower limb , quadriceps and ankle plantarflexor spasticity , gait speed , rate of stair climbing , the Human Activity Profile ( HAP ) , and the Nottingham Health Profile ( NHP ) were recorded twice for the treatment group and three times for the control group . RESULTS Significant improvements were found for all the selected outcome measures ( HAP , NHP , and gait speed ) for the treatment group ( p < .001 ) . In terms of overall training effects , the 13 subjects demonstrated increases in strength of the affected major muscle groups , in HAP and NHP profiles , and in gait speed and rate of stair climbing without concomitant increases in either quadriceps or ankle plantarflexor spasticity . CONCLUSIONS The 10-week combined program of muscle strengthening and physical conditioning result ed in gains in all measures of impairment and disability . These gains were not associated with measurable changes of spasticity in either quadriceps or ankle plantarflexors
The results revealed that despite significant strength gains , many studies failed to show a significant improvement in walking capacity .
Strength testing and strengthening exercises were prioritized for the knee extensors and flexors , despite their relatively minor role in human walking .
Strengthening exercises performed in the neurologic population are not specific to the main muscle groups responsible for the power generation required for walking .
There is a predisposition for strength testing and strengthening exercises to focus on the knee flexors and extensors despite their relatively minor role during walking .
The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the task specificity of strength training programs for walking in neurologic rehabilitation .