Promoting an increased awareness and standardized approaches in diagnosing and treating peripheral artery disease

PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE (PAD)

Other Exercise Therapy

Upper limb and lower limb aerobic ergometry have both demonstrated significant benefit in maximal walking distance (29% and 31% increase in maximal walking distance, respectively) (28). The benefits of this therapy may be related to improved cardiovascular fitness and/or endothelial function.

Resistance training was also noted to improve maximal walking distance in 2 trials. However, in a large randomized trial, resistance training demonstrated no improvement in 6-minute walk test (29) (30).

References

28. Zwierska I, W. R. (2005). Upper- vs. lower-limb aerobic exercise rehabilitation in patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease: a randomized controlled trial. J Vasc Surg, 42(6):1122-1130.

29. McGuigan MR, B. R. (2001). Resistance training in patients with peripheral arterial disease: effect on myosin isoforms, fiber type distribution, and capillary supply to skeletal muscle. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, 56(7):B302-B310.

30. Regensteiner JG, S. J. (1996). Exercise training improves functional status in patients with peripheral arterial disease. J Vasc Surg, 23(1):104-115.