Feasibility of ballistic strengthening exercises in neurologic rehabilitation

Reduced muscle strength and power generation are common after neurologic injury and contribute to significant mobility limitations. Strength training is a core component of physical rehabilitation practice to improve mobility and functional outcomes. Strategies designed to improve strength and function in neurologic patients are typically composed of resistive concentric strength exercises such as leg press (LP) or leg curls.^1–5 However, these types of exercises do not necessarily replicate the movement patterns found in everyday functional tasks such as walking.^6,7 Many studies have demonstrated that strength training is safe and effective for improving muscle strength in a number of neurologic conditions.^3–5,8–10 Despite these training gains, recent systematic reviews have found only minor changes in capacity to walk in neurologic populations.^7,11–16