A COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF TREADMILL TESTS AND HEEL RAISING EXERCISE FOR PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL-DISEASE

Objectives: This two part study validated a 1 min treadmill exercise t est and compared this with simple heel raising exercise. Methods: In a n initial study of 24 claudicants (aged 43-79, median 63 years), ankle pressures were measured immediately after repeated treadmill exercise s: for 1 min, until onset of claudication, and until maximum tolerated walking distance. Absolute value, fall and percent change in pressure s were calculated. The results of this part of the study were then use d as a ''gold standard'' for comparison with 30 s of heel raising and treadmill exercise. This second stage was performed on 21 symptomatic limbs (14 claudicants aged 42-73, median 69 years). Results: Variabili ty was least for pressures expressed as percent change after 1 min of exercise. The paired t-test revealed a significant correlation between the two methods of exercise (p<0.05). Conclusion: Heel raising produc ed changes in ankle pressure which correlated well with those induced by treadmill exercise. We recommend the use of simple heel raising whe n a stress test is required to diagnose lower limb arterial insufficie ncy in the outpatient clinic.