| Individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are prescribed aerobic exercise as treatment, however, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a complication of T2D, restricts lower extremity blood flow causing claudication during the activity. Isometric exercise has been shown to increase local blood flow in other populations. This thesis tested the hypothesis that bilateral lower extremity isometric training would increase both initial (ICD) and absolute claudication distances (ACD) by increasing blood flow. Four males with T2D and PAD performed 4, 2-minute bilateral lower extremity isometric contractions at 30% of their maximal effort, 3X/week for 6-8 weeks. Pre and post-exercise ICD, ACD and blood flow were measured before and after the intervention. ICD and ACD increased 116.3+/-26.3% and 47.5+/-34.1%, respectively (Z=2.475; p=.008) with bilateral lower extremity isometric training, however, pre and post-exercise blood flow remained unchanged. These findings suggest that bilateral lower extremity isometric training increases ICD and ACD by a mechanism other than increased blood flow. |
