Descrição
Introduction: Performance-based measures of physical function can predict the future incidence of disability, dependence in activities of daily living, institutionalization, and death in older people after stroke. Although there have been previous studies examining the effect of age on walking speed and disability, significant gaps still exist in the literature with older people after stroke. Purpose: To verify what are the possible predictors of the walking speed in elderly individuals after stroke. Methods: Cross-sectional study, were it were evaluated: walking speed (10-meter walking test – 10 MWT), plantar flexor and knee extensor strength of the paretic side (Modified Sphygmomanometer Test – MST), mobility (Time up and Go – TUG), and depression (Geriatric Depression Scale – GDS). It was used the linear regression to verify which predictors would explain the walking speed (α=0,05). Results: 60 individuals were included with a mean age of 71±7 years, with 10MWT of 0.7±0.3m/s, plantar flexor strength of 133±66mmHg and knee extensor strength of 198±62mmHg, TUG of 19±10s, and GDS 6±3 points. The plantar flexor strength of the paretic side explained 33% of the variance of the walking speed. When mobility was included, variance increased to 43%. The other predictors did not enter into the model. Conclusion: Plantar flexors strength of the paretic side and mobility are predictors and have a direct influence on the walking speed in older people after stroke.
