Abstract
In this study, we performed 6-minute walking for 12 chronic stroke hemiplegia patients with ankle foot orthosis, and analyzed the influence of the gait velocity difference on walking ability and energy consumption. We measured the walking distance, gait velocity, oxygen consumption (VO2) and heart rate (HR) on walking at optimal and the fastest speeds. As exercise energy efficiency, VO2 per meter and Physiological Cost Index (PCI) were calculated. Walking distance, gait velocity, VO2 and HR at the fastest speed showed significantly higher values than those at the optimal speed. Furthermore, VO2 per meter was significantly lower value at the fastest speed, but there was no difference in PCI. From these results, walking energy consumption of stroke hemiplegia patients changes with gait velocity, therefore it is thought that walking instruction taking into consideration exercise energy efficiency is important.
