Differences in Responses to Exercise by Post-CVA and Normal Subjects

Abstract

Electromyography and electrogoniometry were used to compare the output of the flexor digitorum profundus, flexor digitorum superficialis, and extensor digitorum of 10 post-CVA subjects and 10 normal subjects during and following resisted and unresisted slow and rapid hand exercises The purpose of this study was to determine differences in motor unit recruitment and ability to extend the fingers between normal and post-CVA subjects following stereotyped exercises. The results indicated that normal and post-CVA subjects differed in percent of motor unit recruitment during exercise, but not all differences were statistically significant. In general, post-CVA subjects recruited a lower percentage of maximum voluntary contraction than normal subjects during rapid or resisted exercise and a higher percentage during slow, unresisted exercise. The most common patterns of muscle contraction were reciprocal and independent for both groups Post-CVA subjects required a significantly longer time than did normal subjects to do grasp exercises as well as resisted and rapid extension exercises. Both before and after the exercises, normal subjects showed significantly more range of motion for extension than did post-CVA subjects. Neither impairment of the ability to recruit motor units or activate and relax muscles nor hyperactive stretch reflexes seem to be more conclusively supported as a major deficit for post-CVA subjects. Further study is required. The results suggested that therapists should not base treatment of post-CVA patients on data derived from normal subjects.