DISCUSSION This systematic review will provide information on which interventions are effective for increasing physical activity levels of stroke survivors .
INTRODUCTION Stroke is a leading health problem worldwide and an important cause of disability .
Stroke survivors show low levels of physical activity , and increases in physical activity levels may improve function and health status .
Therefore , the aims are to identify which interventions that have been employed to increase physical activity levels with stroke survivors , to verify their efficacy and to identify the gaps in the literature .
Maximal Strength Training Enhances Strength and Functional Performance in Chronic Stroke Survivors
Objective This study aim ed to demonstrate that maximal strength training improves muscle strength and to assess the effect of training on function , aerobic status , and quality -of-life among chronic stroke survivors . Design Ten patients acted as their own controls for 4 wks , before an 8-week training intervention . Patients trained 3 days/wk , with four sets of four repetitions at 85%–95 % one repetition maximum in unilateral leg press and plantarflexion with an emphasis on maximal mobilization of force in the concentric phase . Results After training , leg press strength improved by 30.6 kg ( 75 % ) and 17.8 kg ( 86 % ) ; plantarflexion strength improved by 35.5 kg ( 89 % ) and 28.5 kg ( 223 % ) for the unaffected and affected limbs , respectively , significantly different from the control period ( all P < 0.01 ) . The 6-min walk test improved by 13.9 m ( within training period ; P = 0.01 ) , and the Timed Up and Go test time improved by 0.6 secs ( within training period ; P < 0.05 ) . There were no significant changes in walking economy , peak aerobic capacity , Four-Square Step Test , or health-related quality -of-life after training . Conclusions Maximal strength training improved muscle strength in the most affected as well as in the nonaffected leg and improved Timed-Up- And -Go time and 6-min walk distance but did not alter Four-Step Square Test time , aerobic status , or quality -of-life among chronic stroke survivors
DISCUSSION This systematic review will provide information on which interventions are effective for increasing physical activity levels of stroke survivors .
INTRODUCTION Stroke is a leading health problem worldwide and an important cause of disability .
Stroke survivors show low levels of physical activity , and increases in physical activity levels may improve function and health status .
Therefore , the aims are to identify which interventions that have been employed to increase physical activity levels with stroke survivors , to verify their efficacy and to identify the gaps in the literature .