Abstract
The aim of this work was to evaluate the short-term reeducative efficacy by an isokinetic flexion-extension test of the knee in male patients affected by neurological problems/diseases because of vascular infarct. Fifty males, average age 52.5 years, all affected by left normotonic hemiparesis, have been studied by a computerized isokinetic flexion-extension test of the knee at 60 degrees/s and endurance at 180 degrees/s (1-min duration). They were all examined before and after the standardized rehabilitative treatment of 4 years. Each test was performed first on the healthy side and then on the paretic side; the control group was composed of 20 healthy people of the same age. The parameters examined in the test at 60 degrees/s were the following: time to reach peak torque; time to reach isokinesis; time of extensor/flexor transition and vice versa (reciprocal innervation). The parameters evaluated in the endurance test were: peak torque; total work performed and the number of repetitions required to cause a 20, 30 and 50% decrease in the total work slope, the gradient of the fitted line. The results show that, after treatment, muscle strength of the paretic side increased significantly, but it approximates half of the healthy limb values; the difficulties, while of alternate (reciprocal) recruitment in the hemiplegic patient, still remain. In the endurance test the healthy side has functional values between the normal values and those of the pathological side.