Effects of walking and strength training on walking capacity in individuals with claudication: meta-analysis

CONTEXT: Over the past few years, several clinical trials have been performed to analyze the effects of exercise training on walking ability in patients with intermittent claudication (IC). However, it remains unclear which type of physical exercise provides the maximum benefits in terms of walking ability. OBJECTIVE: To analyze, by means of a meta-analysis, the effects of walking and strength training on the walking capacity in patients with IC. METHODS: Papers analyzing the effects of walking and strength training programs in patients with IC were browsed on the Medline, Lilacs, and Cochrane databases. Randomized clinical trials scoring >4 on the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale and assessing claudication distance (CD) and total walking distance (TWD) were included in the review. RESULTS: Walking and strength training yielded increases in CD and TWD (P < 0.05). However, walking training yielded greater increases than strength training (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Walking and strength training improve walking capacity in patients with IC. However, greater improvements in TWD are obtained with walking training.