6week Muscle Strength Training: Case Study

Chapter 5 Discussion
5. Discussion

This trial was conducted to find out the efficacy of intensive strength training protocol over conventional physiotherapy treatment on balance, gait, and mobility in post stroke population. Totally 60 participants recruited from the population and randomly allotted into experimental and control group. The experimental group received intensive strength training to lower extremity, upper extremity and trunk muscles for 6 weeks, 6 days per weeks and 2-3 hours per day. The control group treated with conventional Physiotherapy exercises for the same duration.
This study hypothesized that a 6week Muscle Strength Training program would improve Neuro-muscular recruitment and will result positively in the functional

The BBS have shown excellent validity and reliability in measuring both the static and dynamic component of balance (Schmid, A.A, 2012). A significant progression was noted in both measures of static and dynamic balance in EG comparing to CG. The static balance component had shown 63% of improvement in ST group comparing to CG (7.7 + 2.46 vs 4.7 + 1.87). Similarly, the dynamic balance component also improved with 63% in ST group comparing to CG (6.93 + 3.32 vs 4.2 + 3.03). The progressive changes noted in both static and dynamic balance were reliable with some reports of increased balance by exercise intervention in weaker training in a frail or geriatric population with disability. (Buchner DM, 1997; Campbell AJ, 1997). Duncan et.al. (1998) found no significant change in balance with home bound rehabilitation program in post stroke population. He also reported the possibility of significant gain in a static and dynamic component with therapist monitored high-intensity exercise program. One research study by Schmid, A.A, (2012) have analysed the static and dynamic balance control for balance self efficacy with Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale. Few studies have reported the gain in static and dynamic balance with other form of exercise interventions. Cheng et al. (1998) reported gain in both static and dynamic balance with visual

Our study intervened for 6 weeks with 6 days per week for 8 -10 repetitions. Published recommendations for post stroke population suggest that maximum repetitions with minimal resistance is recommended one and advised 10 - 15 repetitions for each set (Gordon NF 2004). Another RCT done by Aidar F J, (2016) reported that resisted exercise intervened for the period of 4 months, reported significant enhancement in quality of life of stroke population and that improvements also correlated with the enhanced 1RM strength of the arm and leg muscles. Recently Fernandez-Gonzalo R,(2016 ) used flywheel resistance training for lower limbs for 12 weeks, 2 times a week and produced changes in muscle hypertrophy and which accompanied by enhanced balance and gait, without affecting muscle