Physical fitness
LOWER LIMB
Physical fitness was assessed by five parameters: aerobic fitness, lower limb muscle strength, walking speed, balance, and flexibility.Aerobic fitness was evaluated with a maximal graded cycle ergometry test performed by a cardiologist blinded to the other data. Participants started at 20 Watts. Increments of 20 Watts per 2 min were made until exhaustion or until reaching one of the American College of Sports Medicine established criteria for maximal oxygen uptake (Lower limb muscle strength was assessed with the Chair Stand Test. Participants sat with arms folded across the chest and with their back against the chair. The patient was instructed to stand up and sit down five times as quickly as possible and the required time (sec) was recorded (