Lower extremity muscle strength and physical activity of hemiplegic patients.

To assess determinants of muscle strength in-patients with hemiplegia, steps were counted using a pedometer. Isokinetic muscle strength and muscle thickness in the lower extremity was compared between 66 hemiplegic patients and 34 healthy male controls. A significant correlation was observed between the number of steps and muscle strength as well as muscle thickness in the lower extremity of the unaffected side. No significant correlation was observed between the number of steps and muscle strength or muscle thickness on the dominant side in healthy subjects. Hemiplegic patients with a low grade of palsy revealed greater muscle strength and muscle thickness in the lower extremity. Walking steps were more numerous than those with source paralysis.