Effects of the Resisted Exercise in the Respiratory Function of Individuals With Hemiparesis after Stroke

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effects of resisted exercise in lungs volume and capacity and strength of the respiratory muscles on individuals with hemiparesis after a stroke. Methods: Ten individuals with hemiparesis caused by stroke were evaluated by measuring thoracic cirtometry, spirometry and manovacuometry before and after a muscle strengthening program for upper and lower limb that consisted of three weekly sessions with progressive load increment (30, 40 and 50% of the maximum load). The pre and post intervention data were compared using the t-Student and Wilcoxon tests (p<0.05). Results: The subjects assessed were 52.60±10.50 years old, 70% were men and 70% with right hemisphere damage. These are the pre and post intervention data concerning respectively to axillary thoracic mobility= 4.40±1.20 and 4.20±1.57 cm; xiphoid=4.45±1.34 and 4.90±1.76 cm; basal=4.00±1.68 and 4.25±2.52 cm, spirometry: FVC=3,52±0,57 L e 3,30±0,64 L; FVC%=93,06±9,77 e 86,81±14,06%; FEV1=2,72±0,49 L e 2.58±0.59 L; FEV1%=88.27±9.43 e 83.04±15.08%; FEV1/FVC=83.62±10.62 e 78.70±13.74%; Pimax=-88.50±24.27 e -91.50±21.09 cm H2O; Pemax = 96.00±23.78 e 95.50±15.71 cm H2O. After the training period with resisted exercise there was a statistically significant improvement on peripheral muscle strength (p<0.05). However, the variables associated with the respiratory function remained similar (p>0.05). Conclusions: Adaptations caused by the resisted exercise training did not promote variation in thoracic expansion and respiratory muscles strength, as well as in lungs volume and capacity on subjects at a stroke chronic phase.KEYWORDS: ; ; ;