Conclusions : Currently , there is insufficient evidence about the effects of combined aerobic and resistance exercise compared to isolated aerobic exercise or usual care on walking performance .
However , despite the low quality of evidence , the combined aerobic and resistance exercise seems to be an effective strategy to improve walking performance in patients with intermittent claudication .
These combined exercise modes or isolated aerobic exercise produce positive and significant results on walking performance .
The usual care approach has a trend to deteriorate the walking performance .
Background : The short-term benefits of aerobic and resistance exercise in subjects affected by Peripheral Arterial Disease ( PAD ) are scarcely examined in interaction .
This study aim ed to identify the effects of combined aerobic and resistance exercise programs on walking performance compared with isolated aerobic exercise or with the usual care in patients with intermittent claudication .
Step‐Monitored Home Exercise Improves Ambulation, Vascular Function, and Inflammation in Symptomatic Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Background This prospect i ve , r and omized , controlled clinical trial compared changes in primary outcome measures of claudication onset time ( COT ) and peak walking time ( PWT ) , and secondary outcomes of submaximal exercise performance , daily ambulatory activity , vascular function , inflammation , and calf muscle hemoglobin oxygen saturation ( StO2 ) in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease ( PAD ) following new exercise training using a step watch ( NEXT Step ) home‐exercise program , a supervised exercise program , and an attention‐control group . Methods and Results One hundred eighty patients were r and omized . The NEXT Step program and the supervised exercise program consisted of intermittent walking to mild‐to‐moderate claudication pain for 12 weeks , whereas the controls performed light resistance training . Change scores for COT ( P<0.001 ) , PWT ( P<0.001 ) , 6‐minute walk distance ( P=0.028 ) , daily average cadence ( P=0.011 ) , time to minimum calf muscle StO2 during exercise ( P=0.025 ) , large‐artery elasticity index ( LAEI ) ( P=0.012 ) , and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein ( hsCRP ) ( P=0.041 ) were significantly different among the 3 groups . Both the NEXT Step home program and the supervised exercise program demonstrated a significant increase from baseline in COT , PWT , 6‐minute walk distance , daily average cadence , and time to minimum calf StO2 . Only the NEXT Step home group had improvements from baseline in LAEI , and hsCRP ( P<0.05 ) . Conclusions NEXT Step home exercise utilizing minimal staff supervision has low attrition , high adherence , and is efficacious in improving COT and PWT , as well as secondary outcomes of submaximal exercise performance , daily ambulatory activity , vascular function , inflammation , and calf muscle StO2 in symptomatic patients with PAD . Clinical Trial Registration URL : Clinical Trials.gov . Unique Identifier : NCT00618670
Conclusions : Currently , there is insufficient evidence about the effects of combined aerobic and resistance exercise compared to isolated aerobic exercise or usual care on walking performance .
However , despite the low quality of evidence , the combined aerobic and resistance exercise seems to be an effective strategy to improve walking performance in patients with intermittent claudication .
These combined exercise modes or isolated aerobic exercise produce positive and significant results on walking performance .
The usual care approach has a trend to deteriorate the walking performance .
Background : The short-term benefits of aerobic and resistance exercise in subjects affected by Peripheral Arterial Disease ( PAD ) are scarcely examined in interaction .
This study aim ed to identify the effects of combined aerobic and resistance exercise programs on walking performance compared with isolated aerobic exercise or with the usual care in patients with intermittent claudication .