The effect of resistance training on functional capacity in middle-aged to elderly individuals with peripheral artery disease: a meta-analysis.

Introduction: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is an ischemic disease of the lower limbs, caused by atherosclerotic plaques, leading to impairments in functional capacity and reduced quality of life. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the effect of 12-week and 24-week resistance training (RT) interventions on 6-minute walking distance (6WMD) and initial claudication distance (ICD) measured during a 6-minute walk test (6MWT).

Evidence acquisition: A meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, with an electronic search conducted using the online database of PUBMED. Methodological quality of all included studies was completed using a modified version of the Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS). The effect sizes (ES) of 6MWD and ICD were calculated, with the 12-week and 24-week interventions analyzed separately.

Evidence synthesis: An initial literature search yielded 1973 results that were consequently reduced to 7 studies to be included in the final meta-analysis. The pooled effect size for 6MWD for 12-week and 24-week interventions was ES=0.189 [95% CI: -0.074 to 0.451] P=0.159 and ES=0.298 [95% CI: -0.036 to 0.631] P=0.080 respectively. For ICD, ES=0.498 [95% CI: 0.000 to 0.995] P=0.050 and ES: 1.106 [95% CI: 0.120 to 0.428] P=0.001 respectively.

Conclusions: Short-term RT interventions have a positive effect on functional capacity in middle-aged to elderly individuals with PAD. There was a greater effect on ICD compared to 6MWD, with 24-week interventions showing larger effects for both measures. Improvements in functional capacity in such populations confers significant potential for positive health outcomes.