How to determine the initial treadmill speed for the aerobic training of chronic hemiparetics?

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the criteria for establishing the initial treadmill speed and create a functional or cardiorespiratory motor training for hemiparetic individuals. Methods: Fifteen chronic hemiparetic individuals were recruited and qualified by the Lower Extremity Motor Coordination Test (LEMOCOT) and submitted to gait evaluation through the Timed Up and Go (TUG), Stress Test (ST), and the 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT). Results: The analysis of the LEMOCOT results showed a mean of 26.87 ± 9.76 target hits for the non-paretic side and 15.40 ± 8.46 for the paretic side. In the TUG, the average speed of 0.37 ± 0.14 m/s was found and in the 10MWT, 0.63 ± 0.23 m/s. In the ST the average speed was 0.60 ± 0.25 m/s. There was strong and significant correlation between the TUG, 10MWT, and ST values. Conclusion: The ST and 10MWT are suitable tests to be used as eligibility criteria for the initial speed of aerobic trainings, however the ST is able to reveal the time for which the patient is able to maintain the gait. The TUG did not prove to be a good instrument to establish the initial training speed