LAUSR

OBJECTIVE To determine demographic and physiologic factors that predict improvement in aerobic capacity among individuals with chronic stroke participating in cycling interventions. DESIGN Secondary analysis of data from two randomized clinical trials. SETTING Research laboratory PARTICIPANTS: Individuals with chronic stroke (N=44). INTERVENTIONS Participants were randomized to one of the following interventions: forced-rate aerobic exercise and upper extremity repetitive task practice (FE+RTP, n=16), voluntary-rate aerobic exercise and upper extremity repetitive task practice (VE+RTP, n=15), or a non-aerobic control group (control, n=13). All interventions were time-matched and occurred three times per week for eight weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Aerobic capacity as measured by peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) during maximal cardiopulmonary exercise stress testing. RESULTS Significant improvements in VO2 peak were observed from baseline to post-intervention in the VE+RTP group (p<0.001). Considerable variability was observed among participants relating to post-intervention change in VO2 peak. Among aerobic exercise participants, a multivariate regression analysis revealed that cycling cadence, baseline VO2 peak and group allocation were significant predictors of change in VO2 peak. CONCLUSION High exercise rate (cycling cadence) appears to be an important variable in improving aerobic capacity and should be considered when prescribing aerobic exercise for individuals with chronic stroke. Those with low VO2 peak at baseline may benefit the most from aerobic interventions as it relates to cardiorespiratory fitness. Further investigation is warranted to understand the precise role of other exercise and demographic variables in the prescription of aerobic exercise for this population, and their effects on secondary stroke prevention and mortality.