Power Exercise for Stroke Recovery: The POWER Pilot Trial (POWER-P)

"POWER incorporates 3 progressive phases: Phase 1 Familiarization (Week 1) as a low-intensity version of the training program to acclimate participants to the movements (body weight resisted or light weights, RPE 2-3 Fairly light to Moderate). Phase 2 Strength (Weeks 2-5) progresses loads to achieve volitional fatigue within 6-8 repetitions (RPE 7-9 Very hard to Very very hard). Phase 3 Power (Weeks 6-10) will use intensities RPE 4-6 (Somewhat hard to Very hard), and exercises will be executed at the highest possible velocity to focus on muscle power. The Power phase is intentionally designed with exercises to emphasize functional movements such as fast sit to stands, lunging and calf raises."

"STRENGTH is based on current clinical practice guidelines for RET after stroke. It will include the same Familiarization week as the POWER program (Week 1), followed by progressive conventional RET involving 3 sets of 10-15 repetitions at moderate to high intensities (RPE 4-5 Somewhat hard to Hard) (Weeks 2-10). The external resistance will be progressed to maintain this target RPE range. STRENGTH is matched with POWER in length (60-minute sessions over 10 weeks), frequency (3x/week) and format (in-person supervision)."