On entry, an interview was performed to determine
the level of physical activity using the Tecumseh
Design
On entry, treadmill testing was performed on two
separate occasions to screen and familiarize the
patients with the testing procedures, but these data
were not used for subsequent analysis. A third treadmill
test was then performed to establish baseline
values. Subjects were enrolled in groups of four to six
and within each group were paired by the resting
ankle-to-arm blood pressure ratio in the most
severely affected leg (severity of vascular disease)and by maximal treadmill walking time (functional impairment). One subject from each pair was randomized
to the control group and the other to the
treatment group (Table 1). Control subjects were
instructed to maintain their usual level of activity and
not to exercise on a regular basis. Treated subjects
were enrolled in a 12-week exercise program. Treadmill
testing was performed at the midpoint (6 weeks)
and on exit (12 weeks) from the program.