Conclusions : Age-related differences support the impact of stroke-related sarcopenia as a contributor to hemiparetic muscle dysfunction .
Abstract Background : Despite extensive study of the impact of stroke on muscle and functional performance , questions remain regarding the extent to which changes are due to the neurological injury vs. age-related loss of morphology and force production .
Objectives : To synthesize available evidence describing post-stroke changes in lower extremity muscle size and strength compared to healthy adults .
Are changes in leg power responsible for clinically meaningful improvements in mobility in older adults?
OBJECTIVES From among physiological attributes commonly targeted in rehabilitation , to identify those in which changes led to clinical ly meaningful differences ( CMDs ) in mobility outcomes . DESIGN Secondary analysis of data collected for a r and omized controlled trial of exercise using binary outcomes defined by recording a large CMD ( Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)=1 unit ; gait speed (GS)=0.1 m/s ) . Iterative models were performed to evaluate possible confounding between physiological variables and relevant covariates . SETTING Outpatient rehabilitation centers . PARTICIPANTS Community-dwelling mobility-limited older adults ( n=116 ) participating in a 16-week r and omized controlled trial of two modes of exercise .  MEASUREMENTS Physiological measures included leg power , leg strength , balance as measured according to the Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment ( POMA ) , and rate pressure product at the maximal stage of an exercise tolerance test . Outcomes included GS and SPPB . Leg power and leg strength were measured using computerized pneumatic strength training equipment and recorded in Watts and Newtons , respectively . RESULTS Participants were 68 % female , had a mean age of 75.2 , a mean of 5.5 chronic conditions , and a baseline mean SPPB score of 8.7 . After controlling for age , site , group assignment , and baseline outcome values , leg power was the only attribute in which changes were significantly associated with a large CMD in SPPB ( odds ratio (OR)=1.48 , 95 % confidence interval (CI)=1.09 - 2.02 ) and GS ( OR=1.31 , 95 % CI=1.01 - 1.70 ) . CONCLUSION Improvements in leg power , independent of strength , appear to make an important contribution to clinical ly meaningful improvements in SPPB and GS
Conclusions : Age-related differences support the impact of stroke-related sarcopenia as a contributor to hemiparetic muscle dysfunction .
Abstract Background : Despite extensive study of the impact of stroke on muscle and functional performance , questions remain regarding the extent to which changes are due to the neurological injury vs. age-related loss of morphology and force production .
Objectives : To synthesize available evidence describing post-stroke changes in lower extremity muscle size and strength compared to healthy adults .