Impacts of Aquatic vs Land Walking on Vascular Health and Exercise Tolerance in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral arterial stiffness was estimated as measurement of femoral-to-ankle pulse wave velocity (meters per second). A higher value represents a worse outcome. Scale range is approximately 7.0 - 14.0 meters per second for healthy populations.

Body composition was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis as percent body fat. A higher value represents a worse outcome. Scale range is approximately 10-35% for healthy populations.

Resting heart rate was measured as beats per minute (bpm). A higher value represents a worse outcome. Acceptable scale range is approximately 60-80 bpm for healthy populations.

Blood pressure was measured as millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Higher values represent a worse outcome. Scale range for systolic blood pressure is approximately 110-129mmHg for most healthy populations.

Resting metabolic rate was measured as kilocalories per day. A higher value represents a better outcome. Scale range is approximately 1200-2200 kilocalories per day for healthy populations.

Cardiorespiratory capacity was measured as the volume of maximal oxygen consumption in milliliters per kilogram per minute (VO2max, mL/kg/min). A higher value represents a better outcome. Scale range is approximately 25-60 mL/kg/min for healthy populations.

Walking capacity was measured using the 6-minute walk test in meters. A higher value represents a better outcome. Scale range is approximately 400-1000 meters for healthy populations.

Upper body strength was measured as hand grip strength in kilograms (kg). A higher value represents a better outcome. Scale range is approximately 20-60kg for healthy populations.

Lower body strength was measured with leg extension in kilograms (kg). A higher value represents a better outcome. Scale range is approximately 20-120 kg for healthy populations.

Lower body flexibility was measured using sit-and-reach in centimeters (cm). A higher value represents a better outcome. Scale range is approximately 10-30 cm for healthy populations.

The physical function domain score of the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 General Health Survey was measured. The scale range is from 0 to 100 percent. Higher scores represent a better outcome.

Blood pressure was measured as millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Higher values represent a worse outcome. Scale range for diastolic blood pressure is approximately 70-79 mmHg for most healthy populations.

Systemic arterial stiffness was estimated as measurement of brachial-to-ankle pulse wave velocity (meters per second). A higher value represents a worse outcome. Scale range is approximately 7.0 - 14.0 meters per second for healthy populations.

Time to onset of claudication was measured during the 6-minute walking distance test (seconds). A higher value represents a better outcome. Healthy populations can typically walk the entire 6 minutes (360 seconds) without experiencing claudication.