Evaluation of walking ability, changes of haematocrit values and the concentration of fibrinogen and cholesterol in walking training in patients with intermittent claudication

Aim of the study: In patients with intermittent claudication regular treadmill walking training improves the walking distance. The mechanism of this improvement is a multi-factor one, and one of the probable reasons may be beneficial haemorheological changes. The purpose of the paper was the evaluation of changes of walking ability, values of haematocrit, the concentration of fibrinogen and lipid profile in patients with intermittent claudication taking part in 12-week controlled treadmill walking training.

Material and methods: The study included 52 subjects aged 65 ±8 with lower limb atherosclerosis evaluated according to the Fontaine’s classification as degrees IIA and IIB.

Before and after finishing the training, walking ability evaluation was performed on the basis of walking test according to Gardner protocol along with blood chemistry analysis.

Results: The time to claudication was extended by 105% and the maximum walking time by 96%. Blood chemistry parameters were not changed significantly.

Conclusions: 12-week controlled treadmill walking training leads to improvement of walking ability in patients with intermittent claudication on the basis of the extended time to claudication and the maximum walking time. Walking training basically does not lead to changed values of haematocrit, concentration of fibrinogen or lipid profile in patients with intermittent claudication. The beneficial changes in the form of the concentration of fibrinogen, the level of haematocrit and the increase of HDL cholesterol may take place in patients with respectively the longest baseline walking time. The improvement of walking time is not connected to the change of lipid profile, haematocrit values and the concentration of fibrinogen.