Acute Responses to Arm-Crank Exercise on Cardiovascular Function of Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease

Twenty patients with peripheral arterial disease and claudication symptoms will be recruited. The patients will perform three experimental conditions, in randomized order (walking, arm-cranking and control). The exercise conditions will be composed of 15 bouts of 2 minutes exercise with an intensity equivalent to 13-15 on Borg's Subjective Perceived Exertion Scale. During the experimental conditions (walking, arm-cranking and control) blood pressure, heart rate and cerebral blood velocity will be evaluated, along with perceived exertion and affective responses. Before and after experimental conditions, vascular function, blood pressure, heart rate variability, cerebral blood velocity, subjective perceived exertion and affective responses will be evaluated.

Inclusion criteria

• Peripheral arterial disease diagnosis;
• Age ≥ 40 years old;
• If a woman, be in menopause without the use of hormone replacement therapy;
• Do not be an active smoker;
• Be apt to perform exercise.

Exclusion criteria

• Any change in medication;
• Any health impairment that contraindicates the practice of physical exercise.