Increasing intensity during treadmill walking does not adversely affect walking pattern or quality in newly-ambulating stroke patients: an experimental study.

QUESTION Does walking on a treadmill at increasing intensities adversely affect walking pattern or reduce walking quality during treadmill walking? Are any changes influenced by walking ability? DESIGN A within-participant, repeated measures experimental study. PARTICIPANTS 18 individuals with a first stroke who were undergoing inpatient rehabilitation. INTERVENTION Walking on a treadmill at intensities of 30%, 40%, 50% and 60% heart rate reserve in the one session. OUTCOME MEASURES During treadmill walking practice, walking pattern was measured as linear and angular kinematics while walking quality was measured using the Rivermead Gait Analysis scale and a visual analogue scale. RESULTS Walking on the treadmill at 60% heart rate reserve, step length of the paretic limb was 0.05 m (95% CI 0.01 to 0.10) longer, step length of the non-paretic limb was 0.09 m (95% CI 0.05 to 0.12) longer, and hip flexion at mid swing was 4 degrees (95% CI 1 to 6) greater than at 30% heart rate reserve. At 60% heart rate reserve, hip and knee extension at mid stance were respectively 3 and 4 degrees more flexed than at 30% heart rate reserve. Walking ability did not affect changes in walking pattern. Walking quality did not change with increasing treadmill intensity. CONCLUSION Walking on a treadmill at increasing intensity did not adversely affect walking pattern or reduce walking quality in newly-ambulating stroke patients. This study adds some support for the inclusion of walking on a treadmill at higher intensities in rehabilitation for newly-ambulating stroke patients.