Introduction: Muscle weakness is a common impairment after stroke. Lower limb muscle weakness is usually associated with asymmetric gait pattern, reduced walking speed, decreased weight bearing on the affected leg, difficulty in transfer, decreased balance and increased risk for falls. This leads to reduced ability to perform activities of daily living and loss of independence, therefore lower limb strength training should be an integral component of physiotherapy after stroke. Different types of lower limb strength training are in use. Purpose: To determine and compare effectiveness of different types of lower limb strength training on improvement of muscle strength and functional abilities in stroke patients. Methods: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials was conducted in databases CINAHL, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE and PEDro. Results: Ten studies were included in the analysis. Isotonic strength training performed using weight machines was more effective than comparison group for improvement of knee flexor muscle strength, ankle plantar and dorsal flexor muscle strength, balance, but less effective for improvement of level- and stair-walking speed and walking distance. It wasn't effective for improvement of sit-to-stand ability. Improvements were maintained at follow-up. Isokinetic strength training was more effective than comparison group for improvement of walking distance, walking ability, balance, performance of activities of daily living and functioning, but less effective for improvement of hip flexor and extensor muscle strength. Functional strength training was more effective than comparison group for improvement of hip flexor and extensor muscle strength, ankle plantar and dorsal flexor muscle strength, walking distance, walking ability, cadence, step length, balance, but less effective for improvement of performance of activities of daily living and functioning. Improvements increased at follow-up. Results between studies were inconclusive about some variables. Conclusion: The literature review conclusions may be useful for building lower limb strength training program in accordance with present impairments in stroke patients. To reach more substantial conclusions are needed further studies that would evaluate long-term effects and more precisely describe training programs. There is a need for further studies that would directly compare effects of different types of strength training on improvement of muscle strength and functional abilities.
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