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 .
Functional improvements following StairMaster vs. treadmill exercise training for patients with intermittent claudication.
BACKGROUND Although there have been many studies showing that exercise training is beneficial for patients with peripheral vascular occlusive disease ( PVOD ) , there is little research comparing various modes of training . Previous studies showed that exercise tests performed on a StairMaster ( StairMaster Sports/Medical Products , Kirkl and , WA ) produce responses similar to those elicited by treadmill tests . The purpose of this study was to compare these modes of exercise in a training program for patients with PVOD . METHODS Of the 23 eligible individuals who began the exercise program  , 11 did not complete the regimen due to various complications . Thus , 12 patients were r and omly assigned to train for 12 weeks on either a StairMaster ( n = 6 ) or a treadmill ( n = 6 ) . Patients underwent progressive and single-stage exercise tests on both exercise modalities before and after training . RESULTS Mean exercise time before the onset of claudication pain for all tests rose significantly after training ( P < .01 ) , but greater improvements were seen on the specific training apparatus ( i.e. , treadmill training result ed in improvement in treadmill exercise performance with less improvement noted when tested on the StairMaster , and vice versa ) . Exercise time to maximal pain increased for the training apparatus only ( P < .01 ) . There were no changes in foot transcutaneous oxygen tension or the ankle-brachial blood pressure index . CONCLUSIONS Both StairMaster and treadmill training improve the exercise capacity of PVOD patients . The training effect is most apparent for the specific training apparatus , but there is some cross-over improvement to the other exercise modality . Thus , StairMaster training is appropriate and can be part of the exercise prescription for treatment of these patients
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 .