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 .
Plantarflexor weakness as a limiting factor of gait speed in stroke subjects and the compensating role of hip flexors.
OBJECTIVE To determine , using the Muscular Utilization Ratio ( MUR ) method , whether plantarflexor weakness is among the factors preventing stroke subjects from walking at faster speeds . Potential compensations by the hip flexors were also examined . DESIGN A convenience sample of 17 chronic stroke subjects in a context of a descriptive study . BACKGROUND Gait speed is correlated with the residual strength of the muscles involved in gait in stroke subjects . However , it has not been established if this residual strength limits gait speed . METHODS  Kinetic and kinematic data for comfortable and maximal gait speeds were collected on the paretic side , and were used to determine the  moments in plantarflexion ( mechanical dem and : MUR numerator ) during the push-off phase . The maximal potential moment ( MUR denominator ) of the plantarflexors during gait was predicted using an equation derived from dynamometric data collected with a Biodex system . The MURs of the plantarflexors  were then calculated at every 1 % interval of the push-off phase . The pull-off phase of gait and the hip flexor strength were also examined . RESULTS Ten subjects of the sample had a MUR value between 80 and 150 % at maximal gait speed . These subjects produced the lowest peak torques in plantarflexion . Each of the four fastest subjects of this group had a large hip flexion moment during the pull-off phase of gait and produced high hip flexion torque values on the dynamometer . Each of the seven remaining subjects had a MUR value under 70 % when they walked at maximal speed . CONCLUSIONS Weakness of the plantarflexors should be considered as one factor limiting gait speed in 10 hemiparetic subjects . Some subjects with weak plantarflexors could walk rapidly because they compensated with the hip flexors . For the remaining stroke subjects , factors other than weakness of the plantarflexors have to be considered in order to explain the reduction in their gait speed
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 .