Red blood cell deformability in patients with claudication after pain-free treadmill training.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of pain-free treadmill training on red blood cell deformability and walking distance in patients with claudication.


METHODS
Randomized-controlled trial of exercise training.


METHODS
Patients were recruited from the primary care, vascular outpatient clinic.


METHODS
A total of 60 patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (stage II according to Leriche-Fontaine) were randomized into the treadmill program or a control group. Fifty-five patients completed the study (27 in the exercising group and 28 in the control group).


METHODS
Patients in the exercising group were walking on the treadmill 3 times a week for 3 months. Each session consisted of 1 hour repetitive walking [performed to 85% of the pain-free walking time (PFWT)] was supervised by a qualified physiotherapist.


METHODS
Changes in erythrocyte deformability and treadmill walking performance (PFWT, maximal walking time) were assessed in both groups before the study and after 3 months.


RESULTS
After 3 months of treadmill training, red blood cell deformability in the exercising group significantly increased (P<0.01). No significant changes were seen in the erythrocyte deformability in the control group. PFWT was prolonged by 102% from 191+/-34 to 386+/-60 seconds (P<0.01), and maximal walking time increased by 49% from 438+/-62 to 656+/-79 seconds (P<0.01) in the exercising group, whereas these changes were insignificant in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
A significant improvement of walking ability over 3 months of pain-free treadmill training is associated with a significant increase in red cell deformability in patients with claudication.
Mika
Piotr
P
Department of Rehabilitation, Academy of Physical Education, Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland. piotrmika@poczta.fm
Spodaryk
Krzysztof
K
Cencora
Andrzej
A
Mika
Anna
A
D000368:Aged; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy; D004907:Erythrocyte Deformability; D005080:Exercise Test; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*