Adapted Physical Activity in Patients With Lower Limb Peripheral Arterial Disease

The prevalence of peripheral arterial disease is 12.2% in France. Intermittent claudication is the most common symtom of this disease. During physical exercise, such as walking, blood oxygen (O2) requirements increase. The development of atherosclerosis in the lower limbs, causes narrowing of the arteries and limits the increase in blood flow required for muscular effort. Patients then experience muscle pain, the intensity of which gradually increases until it forces them to stop. After stopping, the pain subsides and disappears in less than 10 minutes.

The location of the pain (calves and/or thighs and/or buttocks) is related to the location of the ischemia (distal in the calf, proximal in the thigh or buttock, or proximo-distal if several locations). This can have different consequences on the biomechanical parameters of walking and muscle activity. To date, the impact of this localization on physical capacity has never been studied.

These limitations are very disabling and impact the quality of life of patients.

In addition, poor lower limb performance is associated with higher mortality. Reducing symptomatology and improving functional abilities is therefore a major issue in patients with peripheral arterial disease. This can be achieved through the practice of an Adapted Physical Activity, an essential recommendation in the care of patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Our main hypothesis is that the physical activity rehabilitation protocol "Activ'AO" will improve the functional capacities of patients with peripheral arterial disease who have followed the program with the localization of ischemia with a greater consideration than in patients in the group following a "standard" APA protocol. Improvements in functional abilities (such as walking) will lead to improvements in quality of life.