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 .
High intensity eccentric resistance training decreases bradykinesia and improves Quality Of Life in persons with Parkinson's disease: a preliminary study.
Persons with Parkinson disease ( PD ) often demonstrate bradykinesia during mobility tasks . Bradykinesia combined with other PD-related movement deficits may contribute to self-reported reductions in quality of life . At this time , no studies have examined the effects of resistance exercise as an intervention to reduce bradykinesia and improve self-reported quality of life . Therefore , we examined changes in muscle force production , clinical measures of bradykinesia , and quality of life following 12 weeks of a high intensity eccentric resistance exercise program in persons with mild to moderate PD . Twenty individuals with idiopathic PD were matched into an experimental or an active control group . All participants were tested prior to and following a 12-week intervention period . The experimental group performed high intensity quadriceps contractions on an eccentric ergometer 3 days a week for 12 weeks . The active control group participated in an evidence based exercise program of PD . The outcome variables were quadriceps muscle force , clinical bradykinesia measures ( gait speed , timed up and go ) and disease specific quality of life ( Parkinson 's disease question naire-39 [ PDQ-39 ] ) . Data was analyzed using separate 2 ( group ) x 2 ( time period ) ANOVAs . Results demonstrated significant time by group interaction effects for gait speed , timed up and go , and the composite PDQ-39 score ( p < 0.05 ) . Muscle force , bradykinesia , and QOL were improved to a greater degree in those that performed high intensity eccentric resistance training compared to an active control group . Additional research is needed to determine if this type of training has long-term impact and if it results in an alteration of the natural history of mobility and QOL decline in persons with PD
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 .