Overview
Both gait and cardiovascular dysfunction are primary factors limiting community ambulation for stroke individuals. Increased gait variability and asymmetry contributes to a higher risk of falls, leading to reduced physical activity, decreased cardiorespiratory endurance, and increased walking economy and sympathetic nervous system activity, thereby potentially triggering secondary strokes. Previous studies have primarily focused on the significant improvements in walking endurance and speed with high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on a treadmill, leaving a gap in understanding the effects of HIIT on oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) and gait quality for stroke individuals using a stationary bicycle ergometer with exergaming. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects of HIIT using a stationary bicycle ergometer on improving cardiorespiratory fitness and gait quality in individuals with chronic stroke.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Aged 18-69 years
- At least 6 months post-stroke
- Functional Ambulation Category (FAC) ≥ 3
- Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) ≥ 24
- Able to walk 10 meters overground with or without assistive devices
Exclusion Criteria:
- Unstable cardiopulmonary conditions within the last 3 months
- Other chronic neurological disorders
- Contraindications to exercise as recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
- Severe lower limb spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale > 2 points)
- Implanted pacemaker or cardioverter defibrillator