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Effect of high aerobic intensity interval treadmill walking in people with chronic stroke: a pilot study with one year follow- up
How do people with chronic stroke respond to high aerobic intensity intervals
Gjellesvik TI, Brurok B, Hoff J, [Tørhaug T](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=T%C3%B8rhaug+T&cauthor_ id=22750965), Helgerud J.
The aim of this study was to determine the physiological and functional responses from high aerobic intensity treadmill walking in 4 x 4-minute intervals in people with chronic stroke and to evaluate the feasibility of this mode of training.
This was a baseline control trial with 1 year follow-up in an outpatient rehabilitation setting at a university hospital. Eight people with chronic stroke participated in and completed the study. Their mean age was 49 years. We tested uphill treadmill walking in 4 x 4-minute work periods at an intensity between 85% and 95% of peak heart rate from initial maximaltreadmill testing. There were 3-minute active breaks between the intervals. The main outcome measures were maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) and walking economy (Cw). Overall compliance and adverse events determine the feasibility.
VO₂max increased by 12%, Cw improved by 7%. At 1 year follow-up, VO₂max was not significantly different from posttraining measurement. Functional improvements were found in the 6-minute walk test, 10-meter walk test and Timed Up and Go test after training.
Conclusions: High aerobic intensity interval treadmill walking significantly increased VO₂max and improved Cw in these subjects. The training was feasible and may have important implications for cardiovascular health and future rehabilitation programs among chronic stroke survivors.