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 .
Effects of a community-based progressive resistance training program on muscle performance and physical function in adults with Down syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE To determine whether progressive resistance training improves muscle strength , muscle endurance , and physical function in adults with Down syndrome . DESIGN Single-blind r and omized controlled trial . SETTING General community . PARTICIPANTS Adults ( N=20 ) with Down syndrome ( 13 men , 7 women ; mean age , 26.8+/-7.8 y ) were r and omly assigned through a concealed allocation block r and omized method to either an intervention group ( n=9 ) or a control group ( n=11 ) . INTERVENTION The intervention was a supervised , group progressive resistance training program , consisting of 6 exercises using weight machines performed twice a week for 10 weeks . Participants completed 2 to 3 sets of between 10 to 12 repetitions of each exercise until they reached fatigue . The control group continued with their usual activities . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The outcomes measured by blinded assessors were muscle strength ( 1-repetition maximum [ 1-RM ] ) , muscle endurance ( number of repetitions at 50 % of 1-RM ) for chest press and leg press , timed stairs test , and the grocery shelving task . RESULTS The intervention group showed significant improvement in upper-limb muscle endurance compared with the control group ( mean difference in the number of repetitions of the chest press at 50 % of 1-RM was 16.7 , 95 % confidence interval , [ CI ] 7.1 - 26.2 ) ; and a trend toward an improvement in upper-limb muscle strength ( mean difference in chest press 1-RM , 8.6 kg ; 95 % CI , -1.3 to 18.5 kg ) and in upper-limb function ( mean difference in grocery shelving task , -20.3s ; 95 % CI , -45.7 to 5.2s ) . There were no significant differences between the groups for lower-limb muscle performance or physical function measures . No major adverse events for the intervention were noted . CONCLUSIONS Progressive resistance training is a safe and feasible fitness option that can improve upper-limb muscle endurance in adults with Down syndrome ( ACTR identifier ACTRN 012606000515594 . )
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 .