Background:

The locomotor recovery is the most desired goal by patients and clinicians. Measurement of gait speed (GS) provides a fast and reliable clinical parameter for this function. The aim of this study was to verify the relationship between GS and different variables, such as age, injury time, body composition, functional mobility, spasticity, motor recovery, and muscle strength.

Material and methods:

The study included 24 patients with average age 57.6 (± 10.5) years post-stroke hemiparetics. Two groups of patients were formed, those who walked with GS higher than 0.80 m/s (n = 8) and another group with GS lower than 0.80 m/s (n = 16). They were evaluated by the GS test, Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), Fugl-Meyer scale (FMS), Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), bilateral dynamometry of extensors and flexors knee, and determination of body mass index (BMI).

Results:

In the correlation analysis between GS and other variables, in the group with GS higher than 0.80 m/s, there was a significant correlation with TUGT (r = −0.77) and strength tests (r ≥ 0.80). In the group with GS <0.80 m/s, there was a moderate to strong correlation with TUGT (r = −0.87), FMS (r = 0.74), MAS (r = −0.62), and quadriceps femoris muscle strength in paretic side (r = 0.55). In both groups, no significant correlations were found with age, stroke time, and BMI.

Conclusion:

The study indicates that the combination of an important motor deficit expressed by greater strength asymmetry between the paretic and non-paretic sides, and a greater degree of spasticity results in worse performance in the GS.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in English     · English ( pdf )