Moderate Intensity Functional Training as Adjuvant Treatment in Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease

Vascular-Fit: Efficacy of an In-hospital Physical Exercise Program on Functional Capacity and Quality of Life in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease

Traditional aerobic training and muscle resistance ('strength') training have been shown to be effective for improving functional and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes in peripheral arterial disease (PAD). However, the transfer of the current resistance exercise modes proposed to other activities of daily living (ADLs) is questionable. Moderate intensity functional training (MIFT) has emerged with the aim of achieving cardiovascular and neuromuscular adaptations simultaneously with functional exercises typical of ADLs. The effect of MIFT in patients with PAD is not yet known. Our purpose is to verify the influence of the combination of intermittent treadmill walking exercise with MIFT compared with intermittent treadmill walking exercise on functional capacity, HRQoL, biochemical and hemodynamic parameters in patients with PAD.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subjects with PAD in grade IIa (Leriche-Fontaine Classification).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subjects with dementia.
• Institutionalized Subjects in social health centers.
• Subjects with recent major surgery in the last year or lower limb amputations.
• Subjects with revascularization surgery of the lower extremities.