Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 23, 2025
Motor Dual-Tasks for Gait Analysis and Evaluation in Post-Stroke Patients
Published on: March 11, 2021
Functional capacity and walking speed reserve in individuals with chronic stroke: A cross-sectional study
Pollyana Costa1, Thainá De Jesus1, Camila Torriani-Pasin2
1Department Of Physical Therapy, Post Graduate Program Of Health Sciences, Faculdade Ciências Médicas De Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Introduction:
Individuals with stroke experience residual walking disabilities, as the inability to increase walking speed (walking speed reserve - WSR), and frequently present decreasing in functional capacity. The relation between functional capacity and walking ability may contribute to more specific functional management of stroke.
Objective:
To investigate the association between WSR and functional capacity in individuals with chronic stroke and compare functional capacity between individuals who can increase walking speed or not.
Methods:
Cross-sectional study, where functional capacity was assessed with the Duke Activity Status Index (DASI), in metabolic equivalent (METS). WSR was assessed through the difference between fast and self-selected speed (in m/s). The individuals were assigned into two groups: able (WSR ≥ 0.2 m/s) and unable (WSR<0.2 m/s) to increase speed. Pearson's correlation and t test were used for analysis.
Results:
Fifty-five individuals (functional capacity 23 ± 13 METS and WSR 0.3 ± 0.2 m/s) were included. The association between functional capacity and WSR was positive and statistically significant, with moderate magnitude (r = 0.56) (p < .001). Individuals who were unable to increase their walking speed have less functional capacity (17.5 versus 31.3) (p = .003).
Conclusion:
Functional capacity has a positive association with WSR in individuals with chronic stroke. The individuals who are unable to increase walking speed present lower functional capacity.
