Correlation between lower limb muscle asymmetry during the sit-to-stand task and spatiotemporal gait asymmetry in subjects with stroke

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the both lower limb muscle asymmetry during sit-to-stand (STS) and spatiotemporal gait asymmetry in subjects with stroke. Twenty-nine patients were included in this study, lower limb muscle (rectus femoris, tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius) asymmetry during STS, five times sit-to-stand (FTSTS) and spatiotemporal (speed, step length, step time, swing time, stance time, single support time) gait asymmetry were measured. According to the results of the measurement, significant positive correlations between gastrocnemius and rectus femoris asymmetry during STS and step length asymmetry. Furthermore, significant positive correlations between rectus femoris asymmetry during STS and step time asymmetry. In addition, significant negative correlations between the FTSTS and gait speed. This study’s results suggested that necessary to apply exercise that the gastrocnemius and rectus femoris symmetry during STS for improving step length and step time symmetry of gait, and necessary to apply exercise that increase STS speed for gait speed.