The standing heel-rise test in patients with upper motor neuron lesion due to stroke

The objective was to investigate the fatigue process in the triceps surae during the heel-rise test (eccentric and concentric phases) in comparison with a walking test and muscle strength. Eight men with prior stroke and 8 age-matched healthy men participated. The electromyographic activity in form of root mean square and mean power frequency of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles were measured and work estimated. Walking speed and maximal peak torque were measured and differed significantly between the patient and reference groups. There were no significant differences between the groups nor legs concerning the number of heel-rises or work performed. In the eccentric phase, mean power frequency decreased significantly more in the gastrocnemius than in the soleus muscle in the reference group, while mean power frequency in the soleus muscle tended to decrease more, though non-significantly, in the affected leg. The conclusion is that the capacity to perform the heel-rise test in patients with prior stroke is better than plantarflexor peak torque and walking speed.