Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Random walk”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,441 records · Page 80Linked to original sources
PubMed2006

Factors Contributing to Women's Ability to Maintain a Walking Program.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this descriptive study is to determine what strategies were most helpful for women to begin and maintain a walking program. METHOD: Data from the field notes of a randomized clinical trial to promote walking in 97 women were used for the qualitative analysis discussed in this article. FINDINGS: Overall, the majority of participants met the study goal of walking 90 minutes per week. CONCLUSIONS: In addition, the participants reported other benefits, including becoming more physically fit, mental and emotional satisfaction, and stress reduction. Some of the barriers mentioned by participants were personal and/or professional obligations, weather, injuries and/or illnesses, and psychosocial factors. When benefits outweighed barriers, the participants had greater success meeting their walking goals. IMPLICATIONS: Furthermore, the participants stated that making time, problem solving, internal motivation, and the support of family and/or friends were the most helpful factors in achieving their walking goals.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

A two year randomized exercise trial in older women: effects on HDL-cholesterol.

Most of the research on the level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and physical activity (PA) has been cross-sectional and thus self-selection of the exercisers may occur. In the current research, 229 white postmenopausal women, mean age 57.7 years, were randomized into either a walking or a control group. Of these 229 women, 204 women had blood samples available for lipid determinations. PA was measured subjectively by the Paffenbarger Survey and objectively with activity monitors. At baseline, there were no differences in PA, total HDL-C (HDL-TC), HDL-2C or HDL-3C between the two randomized groups. After two years, the PA of the walking group was significantly higher than the PA of the control group. This increase in PA was not accompanied by changes in any of the lipids or lipoproteins. Examination of the lipid changes in the walking group by compliance status and actual activity changes revealed little difference between groups. These results suggest that it is possible to increase physical activity in older women. However, the long-term effects of the increased activity on HDL-C were not apparent despite an observed strong cross-sectional relationship between PA and HDL-C.

Cholesterol, HDL↗
PubMed1995

Effects of a walking program on attributional style, depression, and self-esteem in women.

Few controlled studies describe the psychological effects of a walking program on nonclinical, premenopausal women. This experiment measured the effects of an 8-wk. walking program on female volunteers (N = 27) age 29 to 50 years (M = 37.4) randomly assigned to a supervised walking group vs a nonwalking group. A repeated-measures, multivariate design was used to analyze blood pressure, resting heart rate, timed mile walk, and scores on self-esteem, depression, and attributional style. The walking group showed significant improvement in the timed mile walk, diastolic blood pressure, and rated self-esteem.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Refillable oxygen cylinders may be an alternative for ambulatory oxygen therapy in COPD.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To compare, in clinical conditions, the efficacy of refilled oxygen cylinders (O2-HFs) in improving oxygenation and exercise capacity of patients with COPD during a 6-min walking test. DESIGN: Prospective randomized study with a cross-over design. SETTING: A university teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Ten patients with COPD, in a stable state and previously treated with long-term domiciliary oxygen therapy. Baseline characteristics were as follows: age, 65 +/- 7 years; PaO2 on room air, 55.4 +/- 6.3 mm Hg; PaCO2 on room air, 46.2 +/- 7.4 mm Hg; FEV1/vital capacity, 47 +/- 7%; and FEV1, 30 +/- 7% of predicted value (mean +/- SD). DESIGN: All patients performed three successive 6-min walking tests, the first test in room air and the other tests in a randomized order with either a conventional oxygen cylinder (O2-C) or an O2-HF. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: The fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2) delivered by O2-HFs was significantly lower than the FIO2 delivered by O2-Cs (94.2 +/- 2.6% vs 98.8 +/- 4.9%, p = 0.02). Mean O2-HF and O2-C weights before the walking tests were similar (3,510 +/- 251 g and 3,770 +/- 142 g, respectively; p = 0.09). Mean transcutaneous oxygen saturation was similarly improved with both oxygen delivery systems. Mean distances with O2-C (373.5 +/- 81 m) and O2-HF (375 +/- 97 m) were not different but significantly improved, as compared with room air (334.5 +/- 90 m; p = 0.03 and 0.02, respectively). Dyspnea sensations were similar for the three tests. CONCLUSION: O2-HFs are as efficient as O2-Cs for performing short-term exercises. Because of a lower cost, pressurizing units may be worthwhile for improving ambulatory oxygen therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation programs.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Depressive symptoms among older adults: long-term reduction after a physical activity intervention.

We examined the effects of two physical activity modes on depressive symptoms over a 5-year period among older adults and change in physical self-esteem as a mediator of changes in depressive symptoms. Formerly sedentary, older adults (N = 174) were randomly assigned into 6-month conditions of either walking or low-intensity resistance/flexibility training. Depressive symptoms and physical self-esteem were measured before and after the 6-month intervention, and 12 and 60 months after intervention initiation. Depressive symptoms scores were decreased immediately after the intervention, followed by a sustained reduction for 12 and 60 months after intervention initiation; there was no differential pattern of change between the physical activity modes. Change in physical self-esteem predicted change in depressive symptoms. This study supports the effectiveness of an exercise intervention for the sustained reduction of depressive symptoms among sedentary older adults and physical self-esteem as a potential mediator of this effect.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Properties of adaptive walks on uncorrelated landscapes under strong selection and weak mutation.

We examine properties of adaptive walks on uncorrelated (i.e. random) fitness landscapes starting from moderately fit genotypes under strong selection weak mutation. As an extension of Orr's model for a single step in an adaptive walk under these conditions, we show that the fitness rank of the dominant genotype in a population after the fixation of a beneficial mutation is, on average, (i+6)/4, where i is the fitness rank of the starting genotype. This accounts for the change in rank due to acquiring a new set of single-mutation neighbors after fixing a new allele through natural selection. Under this scenario, adaptive walks can be modeled as a simple Markov chain on the space of possible fitness ranks with an absorbing state at i = 1, from which no beneficial mutations are accessible. We find that these walks are typically short and are often completed in a single step when starting from a moderately fit genotype. As in Orr's original model, these results are insensitive to both the distribution of fitness effects and most biological details of the system under consideration.

Adaptation, Biological↗
PubMed2005

Rapid foot and calf compression increases walking distance in patients with intermittent claudication: results of a randomized study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our pilot study was to determine the usefulness of rapid, high-pressure, intermittent pneumatic calf and foot compression (IPCFC) in patients with stable intermittent claudication, with reference to the end points of improvement in initial claudication distance (ICD) (distance at which patient feels pain or discomfort in the legs), and improvement in absolute claudication distance (ACD) (distance at which patient stops walking because the pain or discomfort becomes severe). METHODS: Thirty male patients presenting with stable, intermittent claudication (ACD between 50 and 150 meters on treadmill testing at 3.8 km/h, 10 degrees gradient) were recruited into this pilot study from a single center. Fifteen patients were randomized to treatment with IPCFC (applied for 1 hour twice daily in the sitting position) and were also advised to have daily exercise, and 15 patients served as controls, who were advised exercise alone. All patients received aspirin and had resting and postexercise ankle/brachial index (ABI) measured at enrollment along with ICD and ACD on treadmill testing (3.8 km/h, 10 degrees gradient). The mean age, baseline ICD, and ACD of the treatment and control groups were 70.4 +/- 7 years and 70.7 +/- 9 years, 55.8 +/- 15 meters and 68.4 +/- 17 meters, and 86.7 +/- 19 meters and 103.9 +/- 27 meters, respectively. Both groups were equally matched for risk factors, including smoking, type II diabetes mellitus, and hypercholesterolemia. IPCFC was applied. The study protocol included follow-up visits at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12 months with the ABI, ICD and ACD being measured at every visit. RESULTS: The percent change from baseline for ICD and ACD for each patient visit and the mean +/- standard deviation (SD), standard error (SE), and median were calculated for the control and treatment groups. The percent change from baseline measurements (mean +/- SD) for ICD and ACD in the control group at 4, 6, and 12 months were 2.2 +/- 18 and 2.3 +/- 18, 2.9 +/- 17 and 5.2 +/- 20, and 3.6 +/- 18 and 5.8 +/- 20, respectively. In contrast, the changes in ICD and ACD at 4, 6, and 12 months in the treatment group were 137.1 +/- 128 (P < .01) and 84.3 +/- 82 (P < .01), 140.6 +/- 127 (P < .01) and 96.4 +/- 106 (P = .01), and 150.8 +/- 124 (P <0.01) and 101.2 +/- 104 (P <0.01), respectively. Although the ABI showed a slight increase in the treatment group, these differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this pilot study show that IPCFC improves walking distance in patients with stable intermittent claudication. A significant increase in ICD and ACD was seen at 4 and 6 months of treatment, respectively, and the improvement was sustained at 1 year. The combination of IPCFC with other treatment such as risk-factor modification and daily exercise may prove useful in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease. It may be a useful first line of therapy in patients with disabling claudication who are unfit for major reconstructive surgery. Improved walking on long-term follow-up and experience from different centers may establish a role for this treatment modality in the future.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2005

An evaluation of the acute impact of pursed lips breathing on walking distance in nonspontaneous pursed lips breathing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

This study was designed to test the effects of pursed lips breathing (PLB) during exercise in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who did not spontaneously perform PLB. Sixty-nine COPD patients, mean FEV1 (SD) 1.09 (0.5), age 68 (51-83) were recruited to the study. They performed three incremental shuttle walk tests (ISWT). The first walk was designed to identify natural PLBs and the next two walks were performed in a random order; ISWT + PLB or ISWT whilst breathing normally. Measures of respiratory rate (RR), breathlessness and oxygen saturation were taken before and after walks. Data was analysed using the t-test. Fifteen patients demonstrated PLB on baseline ISWT and were therefore excluded from further walking tests although baseline data was included in the analysis. There was no significant difference between walks, mean (SD), 298.5 (173.7) PLB and non-PLB; 292.5 (161.9) nor any difference in dyspnoea. There was a significant reduction in end exercise RR and recovery time with PLB, mean difference (95% CI); 6.2 (4.5-7.9) and 24.9 (2.8-47.0) seconds, respectively. Patients who showed a good response with the PLB walk (41%) had significantly higher baseline breathlessness, Borg score, mean (SD), 1.5 (1.0) versus 0.74 (0.96) (P = 0.02). Natural PLB patients demonstrated lower exercise tolerance on the baseline walk (P = 0.01) and a trend towards greater resting breathlessness than those who did not. This study shows PLB during exercise and recovery results in lower post exercise RR and speeds return to pre exercise breathlessness, compared with exercise and non-PLB. Reductions in RR appear to be greatest in those patients with resting breathlessness.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Influence of upper- and lower-limb exercise training on cardiovascular function and walking distances in patients with intermittent claudication.

PURPOSE: The effects of upper-limb (arm cranking) and lower-limb (leg cranking) exercise training on walking distances in patients with intermittent claudication was assessed. METHODS: Sixty-seven patients (33 to 82 years old) with moderate to severe intermittent claudication were recruited, and the maximum power generated during incremental upper- and lower-limb ergometry tests was determined, as were pain-free and maximum walking distances (by using a shuttle walk test). Patients were randomly assigned to an upper-limb training group (n = 26) or a lower-limb training group (n = 26). An additional untrained group (n = 15) was recruited on an ad hoc basis in parallel with the main trial by using identical inclusion criteria. This group was subsequently shown to possess a similar demographic distribution to the two exercise groups. Supervised training sessions were held twice weekly for 6 weeks. RESULTS: Both training programs significantly improved the maximum power generated during the incremental upper- and lower-limb ergometry tests (P <. 001), which may reflect an increase in central cardiovascular function that was independent of the training mode. More importantly, pain-free and maximum walking distances also improved in both training groups (P <.001). The improvements in the training groups were similar; there were no changes in the untrained control group. These findings suggest that the symptomatic improvement after upper-limb exercise training may result, in part, from systemic cardiovascular effects rather than localized metabolic or hemodynamic changes. CONCLUSION: Carefully prescribed upper-limb exercise training can evoke a rapid symptomatic improvement in patients with claudication, while avoiding the physical discomfort experienced when performing lower-limb weight-bearing exercise.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Physical function and its response to exercise: associations with cytokine gene variation in older adults with knee osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: We determined whether physical function and its response to exercise training are associated with polymorphisms in cytokine genes (interleukin-6 [IL-6] -174 G/C; tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNFalpha] -308 G/A and -238 G/A; and TNFalpha receptors [TNFR]1 +36 A/G, TNFR2 +676 T/G, and TNFR2 +1663 A/G), in 214 older (> or =60 years), overweight (body mass index > or =28 kg/m(2)) individuals with knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: Physical function (walking distance, stair-climb time, self-reported disability) was measured before and after an 18-month randomized, controlled exercise trial involving walking and weight lifting 3 days/week. RESULTS: In cross-sectional analyses, baseline walking distance was greater in individuals homozygous for the major G allele at IL-6 -174 compared to individuals with at least one C allele (p = .05). Both walking distance (p =.02) and stair-climb time (p = .003) were better in individuals homozygous for the major G allele of the TNFalpha -308 polymorphism compared to those with at least one A allele. Walking distance was better (p = .02), and stair-climb time tended to be better (p = .06), in individuals homozygous for the major T allele of the TNFR2 +676 polymorphism. No associations were seen with self-reported physical disability nor with the other polymorphisms. In response to exercise, there was a significant interaction between TNFalpha -308 genotype and exercise treatment on 6-month changes in stair-climb time (p = .007), and on 18-month changes in self-reported physical disability (p = .01), such that individuals with an A allele showed greater improvement in response to exercise. CONCLUSIONS: Walking distance and stair climbing speed are partly influenced by genetic variation in the IL-6 and TNFalpha genes in older individuals with knee osteoarthritis.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Fatigue and quality of life outcomes of exercise during cancer treatment.

PURPOSE: Despite the recognition of fatigue as a common and distressing symptom during cancer treatment, there are few evidence-based interventions available to manage such fatigue. The purpose of this multi-institutional pilot study was to explore the effects of a home-based moderate walking exercise intervention on fatigue, physical functioning, emotional distress, and quality of life (QOL) during breast cancer treatment. DESCRIPTION OF STUDY: Fifty-two women were recruited from five university hospital outpatient departments for this pilot study with an experimental design. Subjects were randomly assigned to the walking program or to usual care during adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation therapy for breast cancer. Symptoms, physical functioning, and QOL were measured at baseline, midtreatment, and at the end of treatment. RESULTS: Women who exercised at least 90 minutes per week on 3 or more days reported significantly less fatigue and emotional distress as well as higher functional ability and QOL than women who were less active during treatment. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: A home-based walking exercise program is a potentially effective, low-cost, and safe intervention to manage fatigue and to improve QOL during adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation therapy for breast cancer. This health-promoting self-care activity needs further testing in large randomized clinical trials.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2001

Increased H(max):M(max) ratio in community walkers poststroke without increase in ankle plantarflexion during walking.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether changes in H-reflex response at midswing and midstance are related to excessive plantarflexion during walking in community walkers poststroke compared with control subjects without stroke. DESIGN: Survey of functional walking handicap in a random sample of an annual stroke cohort followed by H-reflex and M(max) testing of a smaller sample. SETTING: Community and laboratory testing. PARTICIPANTS: Forty individuals with stroke (IWS group) completed the functional walking handicap survey, 10 of whom agreed (with 10 age-matched controls) to enroll in a study of of the H(max):M(max) ratio in soleus during walking. INTERVENTION: Electromyography during treadmill walking. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Functional Walking Handicap Scale, soleus H(max):M(max) ratio, and the ankle joint's angle of displacement. RESULTS: Nine of the 10 stroke patients were community walkers. All had significantly (p <.05) more variable ankle movement during walking than the controls. The H(max):M(max) ratio was significantly (p <.01) increased in the IWS group because of a decrease in M(max) response without significant (p >.05) increase in H(max) response. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with community-level walking ability after stroke have significantly (p <.05) less repeatability of ankle joint movement than controls at both midswing and midstance. Simultaneous soleus H(max) and M(max) testing showed a significant (p <.01) reduction in the H(max) and H(max):M(max) ratio at midswing in controls only. This inhibition at midswing was lost by the IWS group without significant increase in H(max), suggesting that central synaptic excitability was within the normal range, and possibly accounting for the absence of excessive ankle plantarflexion during walking in the IWS group with community level walking ability.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Improvement of walking distance by defibrotide in patients with intermittent claudication--results of a randomized, placebo-controlled study (the DICLIS study). Defibrotide Intermittent CLaudication Italian Study.

Defibrotide is an antithrombotic drug which enhances prostacyclin production and activates fibrinolytic system. The aim of this study was to investigate the improvement of walking distance in patients with intermittent claudication treated with defibrotide. DICLIS was a double blind, placebo-controlled study which included patients with walking distance autonomy at a standardized treadmill test < or =350 > or =100 meters. A total of 310 patients were randomly allocated to placebo (n = 101), defibrotide 800 mg/day (n = 104) or defibrotide 1200 mg/day (n = 105). During a one year follow-up, the Absolute Walking Distance (AWD) was measured six times (0, 30, 60, 90, 180, 360 days). Similar improvement in walking distance was found in the three groups until the 90th day; thereafter placebo group showed no further increase, while AWD continued to increase in the defibrotide groups. Between the 180th and 360th day visits, AWD was significantly higher (P <0.01) in patients given defibrotide than in patients given placebo. No difference in efficacy was observed between the two dosages of defibrotide. No differences in side effects were observed among the three groups. The results of the present trial suggest that long-term administration of defibrotide improves walking distance in patients with intermittent claudication.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Heparan sulfate in the treatment of intermittent claudication: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter trial.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is by far the most common cause of intermittent claudication. This disease can greatly reduce the affected individual's walking capacity and can seriously affect daily life activities. Few therapeutic options are aimed at improving walking capacity. This was a randomized, doubleblind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial, performed in 24 Italian centers. Two hundred seventeen patients with intermittent claudication (stages IIa and IIb of Fontaine's PAD classification) were randomly assigned to heparan sulfate (40 mg orally twice a day) or placebo for 6 months. The primary end-point was an increase in pain-free walking distance [initial claudication distance (ICD)] during the 24 weeks of treatment. The pain-free and the absolute walking distance (ACD) were monitored by standardized treadmill test at baseline and at 4, 12 and 24 weeks. The change in initial claudication distance during treatment, expressed as integrated change over time, was significantly greater with heparan sulfate than with placebo (306 +/- 494 vs. 250 +/- 510 meters x months, p = 0.019). Significantly fewer treated patients worsened during treatment (decreased initial claudication distance) compared with controls (9.1% vs. 19.6%; p = 0.027). Functional recovery in the most severely affected subgroup of patients (stage IIb of Fontaine's classification) was more clearly detected and significantly greater among treated than among control patients (absolute increase in ICD: 70 +/- 113 vs. 58 +/- 172 meters, p = 0.028; integrated increase: 304 +/- 422 vs. 208 +/- 503 meters x months; p = 0.004). Heparan sulfate appeared to increase the walking capacity of patients with intermittent claudication to a significantly greater extent than did placebo. The treatment was well tolerated.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Walking and Non-HDL-C in adults: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

An elevated level of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to use the meta-analytic approach to examine the effects of walking on non-HDL-C in adults. Twenty-two randomized controlled trials representing 30 outcomes from 948 subjects (573 exercise, 375 control) met our inclusion criteria. Across all designs and categories, random effects modeling resulted in a significantly greater decrease in the walking group when compared with the control group of approximately 4% for non-HDL-C (+/- standard error of the mean, -5.6+/-1.8 mg/dL, 95% confidence interval, -8.8 to -2.4 mg/dL). Meta-regression showed a statistically significant association between changes in non-HDL-C and the year of publication, with greater reductions associated with more recent publication year (R2 = 0.23, p = 0.005). The results of this meta-analytic review suggest that walking reduces non-HDL-C in adult humans.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Gender differences in survival in advanced heart failure. Insights from the FIRST study.

BACKGROUND: Previous natural history studies in broad populations of heart failure patients have associated female gender with improved survival, particularly in patients with a nonischemic etiology of ventricular dysfunction. This study investigates whether a similar survival advantage for women would be evident among patients with advanced heart failure. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study analysis is based on the Flolan International Randomized Survival Trial (FIRST) study which enrolled 471 patients (359 men and 112 women) who had evidence of end-stage heart failure with marked symptoms (60% NYHA class IV) and severe left ventricular dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction 18+/-4.9%). A Cox proportional-hazards model, adjusted for age, gender, 6-minute walk, dobutamine use at randomization, mean pulmonary artery blood pressure, and treatment assignment, showed a significant association between female gender and better survival (relative risk of death for men versus women was 2.18, 95% CI 1.39 to 3.41; P<0.001). Although formal interaction testing was negative (P=0.275), among patients with a nonischemic etiology of heart failure, the relative risk of death for men versus women was 3.08 (95% CI 1.56 to 6.09, P=0.001), whereas among those with ischemic heart disease, the relative risk of death for men versus women was 1.64 (95% CI 0.87 to 3.09, P=0.127). CONCLUSIONS: Women with advanced heart failure appear to have better survival than men. Subgroup analysis suggests this finding is strongest among patients with a nonischemic etiology of heart failure.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Exercise training and nutrient intake in elderly women.

This study examined the relationship between moderate exercise training (five 30- to 40-minute sessions per week for 12 weeks at 60% of heart rate reserve) and changes in nutrient intake in a group of 30 sedentary elderly women aged 67 to 85 years. Subjects were placed randomly into two groups (those who walked and those who did calisthenics) and were followed for 12 weeks. Measurements were done at three times (baseline, 5 weeks, and 12 weeks). Dietary intake was based on 7-day food records. The 12-week walking program resulted in a significant (12.6%) improvement in maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) but no change in body weight or skinfold thicknesses compared with the calisthenics program. Despite the improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness, no significant group x time interaction effects were observed for most of the nutrient intake variables tested. To test the effects of high levels of physical activity on nutrient intake, cross-sectional comparisons were made at baseline between highly conditioned and sedentary elderly women. The highly conditioned elderly women had higher energy and nutrient intakes, especially when expressed on a weight-adjusted basis. However, no differences in measures of dietary quality were found. Dietitians should not expect spontaneous improvement in either the quantity or quality of nutrient intake by elderly women who adopt a moderate exercise program. Although nutrient intake was greater in highly conditioned elderly women, their level of fitness and physical activity may be beyond the reach of many elderly women.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Bioenergetic comparison of a new energy-storing foot and SACH foot in traumatic below-knee vascular amputations.

In this study, the metabolic performances of a new energy-storing foot (Proteor) and of the solid-ankle cushion heel (SACH) are compared. Twelve patients with traumatic below-knee amputations (mean age: 50.0 +/- 19.9 years) and 12 patients with vascular below-knee amputations (mean age: 73 +/- 7 years) were studied. Oxygen uptake (VO2) was measured in all the subjects on a walkway at a self-selected velocity; only the subjects with traumatic amputation were tested on a level treadmill (progressive speed: 2.4-4 and 6 km/h), and then in two randomized trials: incline (+5%) and decline walking treadmill test at 4 km/h. Vascular explorations were done in the vascular patients: distal pressure measurements, pulse plethysmography, transcutaneous oxygen tension. Free walking was improved in subjects with traumatic amputation using the energy-storing foot (+6%), with a better bioenergetic efficiency (0.24 +/- 0.4mL/kg.m vs 0.22 +/- 0.04mL/kg.m). However, in subjects with vascular amputation, this foot did not produce an increased free velocity nor an improved energy cost. During the level treadmill test, the traumatic amputee subjects showed a decrease of energy expenditure with the new prosthetic foot, more significant at sufficient speed (4 km/h): 17.00 +/- 3.42 vs 14.67 +/- 2.05 mL/kg/min (p < .05). The same effect is shown during the incline (19.31 +/- 2.80 vs 16.79 +/- 2.32 mL/kg/min-p < .02) and decline walking tests (14.13 +/- 3.64 vs 11.81 +/- 1.54mL/kg/min-p < .02). There is no significant difference in cardiocirculatory effects between the two types of prosthetic foot. Despite a lower velocity, the subjects with vascular amputation exceed 70% of the maximal heart rate, with the cardiocirculatory factor being the main cause of walking restriction. The energy-storing foot should be reserved for active and fast walkers, whereas the SACH foot seems more suitable for elderly patients with amputation with a slow walk.

Age Factors↗