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 .
Cardiovascular Training Effect Associated With Polestriding Exercise in Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease
Because individuals with claudication pain secondary to peripheral arterial disease ( PAD ) are limited in both walking speed and duration , the benefits of walking exercise may be insufficient to yield a cardiovascular training effect . The objectives of this analysis were to determine whether polestriding exercise training , performed by persons with PAD , would improve exercise endurance , elicit a cardiovascular training benefit , and improve quality of life ( QoL ) .  Persons ( n = 49 ) whose claudication pain limited their exercise capacity were r and omized into a 24-week polestriding training program ( n = 25 , 65.8 ± 7.1 years of age ) or a nonexercise attention control group ( n = 24 , 68.0 ± 8.6 years of age ) . Those assigned to the polestriding group trained 3 times weekly . Control group subjects came to the laboratory biweekly for ankle blood pressure measurements . A symptom-limited ramp treadmill test , ratings of perceived leg pain , and QoL data ( using the Short Form-36 ) were obtained at baseline and upon completion of training . After 24 weeks of polestriding training , subjects increased their exercise endurance from 10.3 ± 4.1 minute to 15.1 ± 4.5 minute . This was significantly greater than control group subjects whose exercise endurance declined ( from 11.2 ± 4.7 to 10.3 ± 4.7 minute ; P < .001 ) . Relationships between systolic blood pressure ( P < .001 ) , heart rate ( P = .04 ) , rate pressure product ( P = .05 ) , oxygen uptake ( P = .016 ) , and perceived leg pain ( P = .02 ) and exercise time improved from the baseline symptom-limited treadmill test to the 6-month symptom-limited treadmill test in the polestriding group compared to the control group . The improvement in the physical component summary score of the Short Form-36 was also greater in the polestriding group ( P = .031 ) . Polestriding training significantly improved the clinical indicators of cardiovascular fitness and QoL , and decreased symptoms of claudication pain during exertion
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 .