Insufficient loading in stroke subjects during conventional resistance training

Our objective was to assess the loading during a resistance-training task at a given training intensity in subjects with stroke and in healthy subjects. Subjects with stroke (n = 11) and two control groups (n = 11 in each) underwent strength measurements and a resistance-training task for elbow flexors. Torque and muscular activity obtained during the resistance-training task was related to values obtained during strength measurements. Even if relative loading throughout the concentric phase of the resistance-training task, expressed as percent of concentric isokinetic torque, was found to be similar among groups, we found indications of insufficient loading for the stroke group. Relative loading during the eccentric contraction phase, expressed as percent of eccentric isokinetic torque, was significantly lower for the stroke group. Also, when related to isometric maximum voluntary contraction, the loading was significantly lower for the stroke group, compared with the control groups, during the concentric and eccentric contraction phases. Furthermore, muscle activation during, as well as muscular fatigue after, the resistance-training task was somewhat lower for the stroke group. Hence, for subjects with stroke, the relative loading during resistance training, performed at a training intensity considered adequate for able-bodied, appears to be too low compared with the healthy controls.