Conclusion Although data are limited , there is a strong significant relationship between plantar flexor muscle strength and treadmill walking ability .
Background and Objective Exercise is a widely accepted treatment known to improve walking ability in persons with peripheral arterial disease ( PAD ) ; however , it has not been confirmed as to whether exercise improves fitness and performance-based function and , consequently , performance of activities of daily living ( ADL ) .
This systematic review aims to identify whether any mode of structured exercise improves physical fitness or performance-based tests of function and whether improvement in walking ability is related to an improvement in these outcomes .
Data Sources and Study Selection Eligible studies included r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) using an exercise intervention for the treatment of intermittent claudication with fitness ( including the 6-min walk ( 6MW ) , aerobic capacity , shuttle and muscle strength ) tests and performance-based tests of function as the outcomes .
Plantar flexion: an effective training for peripheral arterial disease
This study examined whether a training intervention likely to elicit adaptations in the leg could result in reduced leg pain and increased whole body physical capacity .  Twenty-seven peripheral arterial disease ( PAD ) patients were r and omized to either an individual leg plantar flexion training group ( TG ) training 4 × 4 min intervals at 80 % of maximal work rate three times per week for 8 weeks or a control group . The TG significantly increased plantar flexion peak oxygen uptake and power output by 23.5 and 43.9 % , respectively . Treadmill peak oxygen uptake ( VO2peak ) significantly increased 12.3 % in the TG and was associated with a significant increased time to exhaustion of 20.0 % when treadmill walking . Eleven of 14 patients no longer reported leg pain limitations at VO2peak . No differences in cardiac output measured at VO2peak , or walking economy were observed . Plantar flexion training was effective in increasing VO2peak and walking performance , and may be a useful strategy in treatment of PAD
Conclusion Although data are limited , there is a strong significant relationship between plantar flexor muscle strength and treadmill walking ability .
Background and Objective Exercise is a widely accepted treatment known to improve walking ability in persons with peripheral arterial disease ( PAD ) ; however , it has not been confirmed as to whether exercise improves fitness and performance-based function and , consequently , performance of activities of daily living ( ADL ) .
This systematic review aims to identify whether any mode of structured exercise improves physical fitness or performance-based tests of function and whether improvement in walking ability is related to an improvement in these outcomes .
Data Sources and Study Selection Eligible studies included r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) using an exercise intervention for the treatment of intermittent claudication with fitness ( including the 6-min walk ( 6MW ) , aerobic capacity , shuttle and muscle strength ) tests and performance-based tests of function as the outcomes .