Inactivity and exercise in peripheral arterial disease: effect on vascular health and functional capacity
Furlong, BrónaORCID: 0000-0003-4552-0555
(2014)
Inactivity and exercise in peripheral arterial disease: effect on vascular health and functional capacity.
PhD thesis, Dublin City University.
Background: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a form of cardiovascular disease characterized by atherosclerotic occlusion of blood flow to peripheral tissue. Intermittent claudication, a symptom of PAD, can severely impair functional capacity and daily physical activity. Exercise is an established treatment for PAD and improvement in endothelial function is proposed as a mechanism through which exercise improves PAD symptoms.
Study 1: This study determined total daily sedentary time and the duration of sedentary bouts in 22 men and women, 69.0 ± 8.4 yr, with PAD and examined the relation between these behaviours and disease severity, functional capacity, CV risk factors, endothelial function, and quality of life (QOL). Participants spent 68% of the waking day sedentary and 36% of this time was accumulated in sedentary bouts >60 min. Excessive sedentary time was related to PAD severity and QOL. Prolonged sedentary bouts were related to PAD severity and CV risk factors.
Study 2: This study compared the effect of acute intermittent walking to the onset of claudication (OC) and to maximal claudication (MC) on endothelial function and inflammatory markers in 10 men and women, 70.4 ± 7.9 yr, with PAD. Acute intermittent exercise to both OC and MC had no effect on endothelial function or inflammatory markers.
Study 3: The effect of a 12-week community-based exercise programme on endothelial function, disease severity, functional capacity, daily activity and sedentary behaviour, and QOL was evaluated in 11 men and women, 67.6 ± 9.2 yr, with PAD. There was a significant improvement in endothelial function, functional capacity, daily activity and sedentary behaviour, and QOL.
Conclusion: Reducing and breaking up sedentary time may have positive health implications in PAD. Intermittent exercise to MC may be a more effective and time efficient exercise prescription than submaximal exercise. Community-based exercise is an effective treatment option for PAD.