The Effect of Active Training on the Nutritive Blood Flow in Exercising Ischemic Legs

Abstract

Active training treatment for 3–4 months improved the walking tolerance in patients with intermittent claudication even in the absence of an increase in regional arterial inflow capacity, as estimated by means of venous oc clusion plethysmography. This was explained, partly at least, by the observa tion of a more effective peripheral oxygen utilization in the exercising ischemic limb after than before training, indicating a regional redistribution of the available blood flow towards the active muscles. Other possible ex planations are discussed.

Key Words:

• Arteriosclerosis
• blood pressure determination
• collateral circula tion
• exercise test
• exercise therapy
• intermittent claudication
• ischemia
• lactate
• oxygen consumption
• plethysmography