Exercise training for intermittent claudication: a narrative review and summary of guidelines for practitioners

Amy E Harwood, Sean Pymer, Lee Ingle, Patrick Joseph Doherty, Ian Chetter, Belinda Parmenter, Christopher D Askew, Garry Alan Tew

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is caused by atherosclerotic narrowing of the arteries supplying the lower limbs often resulting in intermittent claudication, evident as pain or cramping while walking. Supervised exercise training elicits clinically meaningful benefits in walking ability and quality of life. Walking is the modality of exercise with the strongest evidence and is recommended in several national and international guidelines. Alternate forms of exercise such as upper- or lower-body cycling may be used, if required by certain patients, although there is less evidence for these types of programmes. The evidence for progressive resistance training is growing and patients can also engage in strength-based training alongside a walking programme. For those unable to attend a supervised class (strongest evidence), home-based or ‘self-facilitated’ exercise programmes are known to improve walking distance when compared to simple advice. All exercise programmes, independent of the mode of delivery, should be progressive and individually prescribed where possible, considering disease severity, comorbidities and initial exercise capacity. All patients should aim to accumulate at least 30 min of aerobic activity, at least three times a week, for at least 3 months, ideally in the form of walking exercise to near-maximal claudication pain.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere000897
Number of pages9
JournalBMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine
Volume6
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 6 Nov 2020

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