Move Better, Live Better: A Novel Supervised Combined Training for Peripheral Arterial Disease: A Quasi-experimental Approach

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the effect of a novel supervised exercise therapy program based on intermittent treadmill walking and circuit-based moderate-intensity functional training on walking performance and health-related quality of life in peripheral arterial disease patients. DESIGN: All participants underwent a 12-wk supervised exercise therapy that involved 15-30 mins of treadmill walking followed by a 15-min moderate-intensity functional training continued by 12-wk follow-up. Maximum walking distance, pain-free walking distance, gait speed, and estimated peak oxygen uptake (peak VO 2 ) were calculated through the 6-min walk test and health-related quality of life through the Short-Form 36 and the Vascular Quality of Life Questionnaire 6. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences ( P < 0.05) between baseline and postintervention for walking performance outcomes (maximum walking distance [mean difference: 88.53 m], pain-free walking distance [mean difference: 62.89 m], gait speed [mean difference: 0.24 m·sec -1 ], and peak VO2 [mean difference: 2.04 ml·kg -1 ·min -1 ]) and for health-related quality of life (physical functioning in Short-Form 36 [mean difference: 6.93 points] and Vascular Quality of Life Questionnaire 6 [mean difference: 1.46 points]), while no differences were found between baseline and 12-wk follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Results seem to show that 12-wk novel supervised exercise therapy based on intermittent walking and moderate-intensity functional training induced significant clinical improvements in key functional variables of peripheral arterial disease while cessation of exercise leads to significant negative clinical changes in subsequent weeks of follow-up.