Effect of a Training Protocol on Gait Parameters in Men with CVA

Background: Cerebrovascular Accidents (CVA) refers to any kind of damage caused by direct or indirect damage to the brain and its related elements. About 60% of brain injury victims have a permanent disorder. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a 12-week selected training protocol on men walking following brain injury. Methods: In a semi-experimental study, 30 male subjects with a mean and standard deviation of 52.2 ± 5.4 years, weight 78.8 ± 5.3 kg and height of 173.2±4.2 cm were selected purposefully and accessible with inclusion and exclusion criteria. The participants were randomly divided into experimental (n = 15) and control groups (n = 15). In order to evaluate the gate with an accelerometer, the kinematic variables of speed, step acceleration, step length, track increment, walking rate and walking similarity with healthy subjects were examined. Data were analyzed by independent t-test and dependent t-test using SPSS-21 software at P≤0.05 level. Findings: findings showed that, effect of selected exercises on walking and its kinematic variables (speed, step acceleration, step length, track increment, change in walking and walking similarity to healthy subjects) were significant (p = 0.00). Conclusion: From the findings of this study, it can be concluded that the special exercises of the present study have a positive effect on gate parameters of male patients with CVA, so it can be recommended as one of the most important rehabilitation strategies for these patients.