Physical activity according to sit-to-stand, standing, and stand-to-sit abilities in subacute stroke with walking difficulty: a cross-sectional study

Objective This study investigated the characteristics of physical activity according to sit-to-stand, standing, and stand-to-sit abilities in subacute stroke with walking difficulty. Methods In this study, 29 participants with subacute stroke and walking difficulty were enrolled and classified into two groups: participants who successfully completed three items (i.e., sit-to-stand, standing, and stand-to-sit) of the Functional Balance Scale (independent group, n = 13) and those who showed incomplete scores on any of the three items (dependent group, n = 16). Light-intensity physical activity (LIPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were measured using an accelerometer at three periods (i.e. daytime, therapy time, and non-therapy time) for a week. Results Two-way analysis of variance (groups x physical activity intensity) demonstrated a significant interaction in each period. Post-hoc tests showed significantly more LIPAs and MVPAs in the independent group in all periods, except for MVPA in the non-therapy time. Particularly, LIPA showed significant between-group differences in each period. Conclusions Among individuals with subacute stroke and walking difficulty, those who could completely perform sit-to-stand, standing, and stand-to-sit could perform more LIPAs. Increasing sit-to-stand, standing, and stand-to-sit abilities could be an important factor in increasing the opportunity to perform LIPAs.