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In patients with intermittent claudication (IC) a structured walking exercise program improves exercise performance. However, few studies have evaluated the effects of exercise training on functional status during daily activities. We hypothesized that a supervised exercise training program would improve functional status in patients with IC, with 24 weeks of training more beneficial than 12 weeks. A secondary aim was to evaluate the effects of strength training and combinations of strength and treadmill training on functional status.

Twenty-nine men with disabling IC were randomized to 12 weeks of either supervised treadmill training (3 hr/wk at a work intensity sufficient to produce claudication), strength training (3 hr/wk of resistive training of six muscle groups of each leg), or to a nonexercising control group. Functional status was assessed by questionnaires characterizing walking ability (Walking …