Effects of eccentric strengthening in the knee extensors performance in chronic hemiparesis

• Grant number: 12/04790-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2012
• End date: December 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Tania de Fatima Salvini
• Grantee: Celso Antonio Takahashi Morais da Silva
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Stroke is one of the major causes of neurological disability, according to World Health Organization (WHO), having muscle weakness as the primary deficit. Although previous studies have reported the benefits of strength training in this population, is necessarily better to understand their effects on the paretic muscle. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of an eccentric strengthening program on isokinetic and electromyographic muscle performance of knee extensors in chronic hemiparetic subjects compared to a control group and to correlate the performance to a functional scale. Thirteen chronic hemiparetic subjects and 13 healthy controls will take part in the study. Both groups will be evaluated by an isokinetic dynamometer and electromyography, as well as by the Fugl Meyer motor assessment scale. Both groups will be submitted to the eccentric strengthening protocol, 3 times per week, for 12 weeks. Statistical tests for normality (Shapiro Wilk's test) and homogeneity (Levene's test) analysis will be applied. If the variables will have a normal and homogeneous distribution, parametric tests(two-way ANOVA and Pearson Correlation) will be applied. Otherwise, it will be applied the non-parametric statistics (Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman). A significance level of 0.05, with a confidence interval (CI) of 95%, will be considered for all statistical tests.(AU)