Pain-free treadmill exercise for patients with intermittent claudication: Are there gender differences?

Abstract

Intermittent claudication, a common symptom of peripheral arterial disease, results in insufficient blood flow and oxygen supply to lower extremity muscles. Compared to men, women with peripheral arterial disease have a higher rate of mobility loss with peripheral arterial disease due to poorer lower extremity functioning. This study evaluates the effect of supervised pain-free treadmill exercise on improving performance in women with intermittent claudication due to peripheral arterial disease in comparison to men. A total of 26 participants (women, n = 9, 34.62%; mean age = 67.58 ± 5.59 years; averaging 23.46 ± 3.91 visits and 10.46 ± 0.99 weeks in the program) diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease, with symptoms of intermittent claudication, partook in a 45 min treadmill walk, twice per week, below the participant's minimal pain threshold. Female participants' change scores showed 752%, 278% and 115% improvement in mean walking distance, duration and rate, respectively. Men improved 334%, 149% and 80%, respectively. Significant differences (p < 0.05) in pre and post measurements within each group support positive outcomes. No significant differences between groups were observed (Cohen's d effect size > 0.80). Our results suggest that women reap similar benefits from this low-intensity treadmill program in comparison to men.

Multimodal Supervised Exercise Training Is Effective in Improving Long Term Walking Performance in Patients with Symptomatic Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease

“…The present study cannot explain the mechanisms underlying these findings, but signifies the need for future studies investigating the effect of SET on women. Even though the importance of screening and treating women for atherosclerotic diseases is now widely acknowledged, our findings support the fact that women should equally be encouraged to participate in SET programs [ 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ].…”

Gender Differences in Outcomes Following a Pain-Free, Home-Based Exercise Program for Claudication

“…Notably, other authors reported that a low-intensity treadmill program without pain was as effective for subjects with PAD, 45 with similar benefits in women compared to men. 46…”

How does exercise dose affect patients with long-term osteoarthritis of the knee? A study protocol of a randomised controlled trial in Sweden and Norway: the SWENOR Study

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