Influence of upper and lower limb exercise training on cardiovascular function and walking distances in patients with intermittent claudication

Walker, Richard D., Nawaz, Shah, Wilkinson, Claire H., Saxton, John M., Pockley, A. Graham and Wood, Richard F. M. (2000) Influence of upper and lower limb exercise training on cardiovascular function and walking distances in patients with intermittent claudication. Journal of Vascular Surgery, 31 (4). pp. 662-669. ISSN 1097-6809

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Abstract

Purpose: The effects of upper-limb (arm cranking) and lower-limb (leg cranking) exercise training on walking distances in patients with intermittent claudication was assessed. Methods: Sixty-seven patients (33 to 82 years old) with moderate to severe intermittent claudication were recruited, and the maximum power generated during incremental upper- and lower-limb ergometry tests was determined, as were pain-free and maximum walking distances (by using a shuttle walk test). Patients were randomly assigned to an upper-limb training group (n = 26) or a lower-limb training group (n = 26). An additional untrained group (n = 15) was recruited on an ad hoc basis in parallel with the main trial by using identical inclusion criteria. This group was subsequently shown to possess a similar demographic distribution to the two exercise groups. Supervised training sessions were held twice weekly for 6 weeks. Results: Both training programs significantly improved the maximum power generated during the incremental upper- and lower-limb ergometry tests (P <.001), which may reflect an increase in central cardiovascular function that was independent of the training mode. More importantly, pain-free and maximum walking distances also improved in both training groups (P <.001). The improvements in the training groups were similar; there were no changes in the untrained control group. These findings suggest that the symptomatic improvement after upper-limb exercise training may result, in part, from systemic cardiovascular effects rather than localized metabolic or hemodynamic changes. Conclusion: Carefully prescribed upper-limb exercise training can evoke a rapid symptomatic improvement in patients with claudication, while avoiding the physical discomfort experienced when performing lower-limb weight-bearing exercise.

Item Type: Article
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Allied Health Professions (former - to 2013)
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Rehabilitation
Depositing User: EPrints Services
Date Deposited: 25 Nov 2010 11:12
Last Modified: 17 May 2023 00:36
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/14826
DOI: 10.1067/mva.2000.104104

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