Predictors of Improved Aerobic Capacity in Individuals With Chronic Stroke Participating in Cycling Interventions

To determine demographic and physiological factors that predict improvement in aerobic capacity among individuals with chronic stroke participating in cycling interventions. Secondary analysis of data from 2 randomized clinical trials. Research laboratory. Individuals with chronic stroke (N=44). Participants were randomized to one of the following interventions: forced aerobic exercise and upper extremity repetitive task practice (FE+UERTP, n=16), voluntary aerobic exercise and upper extremity repetitive task practice (VE+UERTP, n=15), or a nonaerobic control group (control, n=13). All interventions were time-matched and occurred 3 times per week for 8 weeks. Aerobic capacity as measured by peak oxygen consumption per unit time (VO2peak) during maximal cardiopulmonary exercise stress testing. Significant improvements in VO2peak were observed from baseline to postintervention in the VE+UERTP group (P