11-3 The effect of slow speed pain-free walking

The effect of slow speed pain-free walking on the physiological and functional capacity of adults presenting Intermittent Claudication secondary to Peripheral Arterial Disease
Sharon Barak, PhD, Chris B Stopka, PhD, Eli Carmeli, PT, PhD

Abstact

Background: Patients suffering from Intermittent Claudication (IC) due to Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) and ischemia often complain of pain and stiffness in the calf muscles during walking. 

Aim: To investigate the effect of low-intensity pain-free walking on the physiological and functional capacity of PAD/IC patients.

Methods: Twelve participants performed a walking program twice a week, 45 minutes each session, for 2, 4 or 6 consecutive weeks. Outcome measures included walking performance (distance and duration), estimated oxygen consumption (EVO2), metabolic equivalent (MET), estimated total energy expenditure (ETEE), heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP).

Results: An improvement was observed in all groups. For those who walked 6 weeks, a significant improvement was achieved in walking distance (104%), walking time (56%), Estimated oxygen consumption (21%), Metabolic equivalent (20%), Estimated total energy expenditure (81%), whereas no change was found in heart rate and blood pressure.

Conclusion: low-intensity pain-free walking can bring functional and physiological benefits to PAD with IC patients. 

Key words: intermittent clauditation, walking, low intensity, walking distance, oxygen consumption.