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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 1, 2026

Cognitive Function and Upper Limb Rehabilitation Training Post-Stroke Using a Digital Occupational Training System

Cognitive Function and Upper Limb Rehabilitation Training Post-Stroke Using a Digital Occupational Training System

Published on: December 29, 2023

Potential Factors Influencing Heart Rates During Locomotor Training Poststroke and Their Associations With Locomotor

Thomas George Hornby¹, Christina J Voigtmann, Lindsay Heffron

¹Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana (T.G.H., A.P., C.E.H.); Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana, Indianapolis, Indiana (T.G.H., C.J.V., L.H., E.L., C.E.H.); and Department of Physical Therapy, Brenau University, Gainesville, Georgia (J.K.L.).

Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy : JNPT

|June 30, 2026

Summary

Targeting higher heart rates (HRs) during post-stroke locomotor training did not significantly improve walking outcomes. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPEs) were more consistently related to improvements than achieving specific HR targets, especially for those on beta-blockers.

Keywords:

community mobility locomotion physical activity rehabilitation

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 1, 2026

Cognitive Function and Upper Limb Rehabilitation Training Post-Stroke Using a Digital Occupational Training System

Cognitive Function and Upper Limb Rehabilitation Training Post-Stroke Using a Digital Occupational Training System

Published on: December 29, 2023

Area of Science:

Neurology
Rehabilitation Medicine
Exercise Physiology

Background:

Higher heart rates (HRs) during locomotor training are thought to improve walking speed and distance post-stroke.
Individuals with slower walking speeds or on beta-adrenergic antagonists (beta-blockers) may struggle to achieve targeted HRs.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate how patient-related variables (walking speed, beta-blocker use) affect the ability to achieve targeted HRs during exercise testing and training.
To determine the impact of these variables on locomotor outcomes post-stroke.

Main Methods:

Secondary analysis of a randomized trial involving 90 individuals post-stroke.
Participants were assigned to high-intensity (>70% HR reserve) or low-intensity (<40% HR reserve) training.
Examined associations between baseline characteristics, HRs during testing/training, and changes in walking speed/distance.

Main Results:

Achieving higher HRs during graded exercise testing correlated with faster peak treadmill speeds but was negatively associated with beta-blocker use.
Training HRs were not directly linked to initial locomotor outcomes, and beta-blocker use depressed HRs.
Only 40% of participants reached >70% HR reserve during high-intensity training.
Training HRs influenced walking outcomes only in non-beta-blocker users; RPEs were consistently correlated with outcomes.

Conclusions:

Achieving targeted HR reserve was not the primary driver of improved locomotor outcomes post-stroke.
Efforts to increase exercise intensity and the use of RPEs may be beneficial for rehabilitation.
Individual patient factors, such as beta-blocker medication, influence HR response during training.