http://nnr.sagepub.com/content/26/8/968.abstract?etoc
Abstract
Background. In stroke rehabilitation,
considerable emphasis is placed on improving muscle strength with less
focus on the speed of movement.
Muscle power (product of force and velocity) is
essential for balance and mobility but velocity of movement is impaired
after
stroke. Objective. The purpose of this efficacy study is to determine if a single session of fast functional movements can increase muscle
activation and the speed of movement in participants with a subacute stroke. Methods.
In total, 32 individuals poststroke and 32 age- and sex-matched
controls performed a single session of 50 fast squats and
steps. Electromyographic (EMG) activity was
measured bilaterally in the rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF),
tibialis
anterior (TA), and soleus muscles. The average EMG
area and the movement speed were calculated over 10 trials. The effect
of exercise was determined as the change from the
second set (Start) to the last set (End) of 10 trials. Results.
The stroke group had significant increases in EMG area of the TA, BF,
and RF during the squatting exercise. There was an
increase in EMG area of the RF and BF when the
paretic leg was stepping. Improvements in EMG area of the soleus and RF
when
the paretic leg was in stance accompanied increases
in EMG area when the nonparetic leg was stepping. There was a trend for
improved movement speed for both exercises. Conclusion. A single session of exercises emphasizing speed of movement can be used to improve muscle activation in persons with mild
to moderately severe strokes.
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