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

Association between handgrip strength and vascular function in patients with hypertension

Background: Increased handgrip strength has been associated with lower cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular mortality in different populations. In patients with hypertension, arterial stiffness relates to cardiovascular mortality. However, whether muscle strength is associated with arterial stiffness in hypertensives is unknown. Thus, the objective of this study was to analyze the association between handgrip strength and arterial stiffness parameters in hypertensive patients. Methods: Seventy-two hypertensive patients completed all evaluations and were included in the analysis. The ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI) was obtained based on 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), and reflected wave indicator (AIx and AIx@75) were estimated using applanation tonometry technique, whereas handgrip strength test was performed using a digital dynamometer. Crude and adjusted linear regression models were performed. Results: The crude analysis revealed a negative association between handgrip strength and AASI (b = −0.41, p = 0.002) and AIx (b = −0.49, p  0.05). Conclusion: Handgrip strength is negatively associated with AASI and AIx@75, but not with AIx and cfPWV in hypertensive patients