Do we know what the minimal step count per day that would be beneficial for patients with claudication?

Aim of the study
The goal of the study was to determine daily step count and its association with claudication walking time measured on a treadmill in patients with claudication.

Material and methods
The study included 46 patients (32 males) aged 69.9 ±5.84 years with intermittent claudication, body mass index 26.85 ±3.67. Daily step count was assessed with a Garmin Vivofit activity monitor, worn on the non-dominant wrist for 7 consecutive days. Pain-free walking time (PFWT) and maximal walking distance (MWT) were measured using the Gardner protocol. The test was carried out on a treadmill at a constant speed of 3.2 km/h and an initial inclination angle of 0%. Every 2 minutes, the inclination of the treadmill was increased by 2%. The patient reported when pain was experienced (PFWT). The test was interrupted when maximal pain symptoms appeared (MWT).

Results
Mean daily step count was 7251 ±3126. Significant correlation was observed between daily step count and MWT (rho = 0.31, p < 0.05). 59% of patients reached less than 7500 steps/day and presented significantly shorter MWT compared to the participants covering ≥ 7500 steps (p < 0.05).

Conclusions
The daily step count reflects claudication time. The minimal daily step count that should be recommended for patients with claudication, allowing them to achieve significantly better results with regard to walking abilities, is at least 7500 steps per day.