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 .
The effect of exercise intensity on the response to exercise rehabilitation in patients with intermittent claudication.
PURPOSE The purpose of this r and omized trial was to compare the efficacy of a low-intensity exercise rehabilitation program vs a high-intensity program in changing physical function , peripheral circulation , and health-related quality of life in peripheral arterial disease ( PAD ) patients limited by intermittent claudication . METHODS Thirty-one patients r and omized to low-intensity exercise rehabilitation and 33 patients r and omized to high-intensity exercise rehabilitation completed the study . The 6-month exercise rehabilitation programs consisted of intermittent treadmill walking to near maximal claudication pain 3 days per week at either 40 % ( low-intensity group ) or 80 % ( high-intensity group ) of maximal exercise capacity . Total work performed in the two training regimens was similar by having the patients in the low-intensity group exercise for a longer duration than patients in the high-intensity group . Measurements of physical function , peripheral circulation , and health-related quality of life were obtained on each patient before and after the rehabilitation programs . RESULTS After the exercise rehabilitation programs , patients in the two groups had similar improvements in these measures . Initial claudication distance increased by 109 % in the low-intensity group ( P < .01 ) and by 109 % in the high-intensity group ( P < .01 ) , and absolute claudication distance increased by 61 % ( P < 0.01 ) and 63 % ( P < .01 ) in the low-intensity and high-intensity groups , respectively . Furthermore , both exercise programs elicited improvements ( P < .05 ) in peak oxygen uptake , ischemic window , and health-related quality of life . CONCLUSION The efficacy of low-intensity exercise rehabilitation is similar to high-intensity rehabilitation in improving markers of functional independence in PAD patients limited by intermittent claudication , provided that a few additional minutes of walking is accomplished to elicit a similar volume of exercise
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 .