Loss of mobility is common after a stroke. Strength training helps build muscle strength but does not always improve mobility. This may be because many programs do not focus enough on building muscle power, which is how quickly muscles work. Power training is a special type of strength training, where you lift lighter weights quickly. It may be more effective than traditional strength training but more research is needed.
We are launching a multi-site pilot randomized trial between McMaster University and UBC–Okanagan. We will recruit 60 people with stroke, and assign them to one of two 10-week exercise programs: the POWER intervention or traditionally-prescribed strength training. Our outcomes are the feasibility of our methods (eg, recruitment), but also compare its effects on mobility, fatigue, mental health, and quality of life. Two people with lived experience of stroke are providing input into our methods.
This work will grow awareness on strength training for people with stroke in BC. The success of this study will also open the door for collaborations with other universities to establish the benefits of power training. We hope to then update the exercise guidelines to reach clinicians and improve stroke care.