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 .
Peripheral arterial disease and intermittent claudication: efficacy of short-term upper body strength training, dynamic exercise training, and advice to exercise at home.
OBJECTIVE To compare the effect of two training programmes and advice to exercise at home on physiological adaptations in patients with peripheral arterial disease ( PAD ) . DESIGN 30 patients with a typical history of PAD and intermittent claudication were r and omised to either an upper body strength training programme ( UBST ) , a dynamic ( walking , cycling , circuit ) conventional exercise rehabilitation programme ( CER ) , or advice to ' walk as much as possible at home ' ( CONT ) . Before and after intervention groups performed a st and ard grade d treadmill exercise test ( GTET ) and a 6-minute walk test ( SMWT ) to determine peak physiological parameters and walking distances . Maximal walking distance ( MWD ) , pain-free walking distance ( PFWD ) , peak oxygen uptake ( VO2 ) , heart rate and perceived pain were measured . RESULTS MWD on the GTET increased significantly in the CER group compared with the CONT and UBST groups ( 93.9 + /- 79 % v. 7.0 + /- 19.8 % v. 7.3 + /- 46 % ; CER v. UBST v. CONT p = 0.003 ) . Similarly , peak VO2 increased with CER compared with the CONT and UBST groups ( 28.4 + /- 20 v. -6.2 + /- 15 v. -1.0 + /- 21 % ; CER v. UBST v. CONT p = 0.004 ) . During the SMWT the CER and UBST groups improved in PFWD compared with the CONT group ( 37 + /- 47 % v. 27 + /- 71 % v. -30 + /- 29 % ; CER v. UBST v. CONT p = 0.03 ) , and perceived pain decreased in the CER group compared with the UBST group ( -24 + /- 39 % v. 27 + /- 48 % ; CER v. UBST p = 0.01 ) . CONCLUSION CER improves physiological parameters and walking distances more than UBST does . CER is effective within 6 weeks . Verbal encouragement to exercise is an ineffective form of management
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 .