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International project to tackle leg disease
World-leading exercise and muscle physiologists from Denmark have joined forces with a University of the Sunshine Coast research group in a bid to develop a new, pain-free treatment for peripheral arterial disease.
Professors Ylva Hellsten and Jens Bangsbo from the University of Copenhagen are working alongside USC exercise physiologist Dr Chris Askew to assess how active and passive exercise can boost the growth of capillaries (small blood vessels) and increase blood flow to the legs.
Their proposed treatment could provide a new lease on life for patients with peripheral arterial disease, a painful condition afflicting about 20 percent of adults aged over 55.
It could also help reduce the incidence of heart attacks and strokes.
Dr Askew said patients with peripheral arterial disease experience pain in their leg muscles due to poor blood flow and are limited in their ability to undertake normal daily activities.
He said the collaboration between USC and the University of Copenhagen was a perfect match to help these people get back on track to better health.
“Our research at USC has demonstrated that patients with peripheral arterial disease have a reduced number of capillaries, and this limits their capacity to exercise,” he said.
“The Danish researchers have shown that, in healthy adults, passive exercise can lead to the growth of new muscle capillaries.
“So this present study is investigating whether passive exercise also promotes the growth of new capillaries in the leg muscles of patients with peripheral arterial disease.
“If successful, this type of therapy could help improve muscle function in patients, and improve their ability to exercise without pain.”
Professor Hellsten said the muscle pain experienced by patients with peripheral arterial disease often discouraged them from taking steps to improve their condition.
“By providing them with two to three months of passive movement therapy, they won’t have that pain later when they exercise,” she said. “If we can give them a positive experience of exercise, it could lead to a pain-free treatment of peripheral arterial disease.”
Professor Hellsten said peripheral arterial disease usually indicated more widespread vascular problems, with patients facing a higher risk of heart attack or stroke.
“If they don’t have enough oxygen coming to their legs, it is an indication of what else is happening in their bodies,” she said. “It’s all related to poor vascular function, which is often caused by smoking and a lack of exercise.”
The project also involves Danish research officer Dr Jens Jung Nielsen and PhD students Meegan Walker from USC and Birgitte Hoier of Copenhagen, along with dozens of local volunteers as research subjects.
More volunteers aged 55 years and older are needed, including healthy adults and those who have been diagnosed as having peripheral arterial disease.
They will be required for two to three visits (5-6 hours each) to the University for low-intensity leg exercise, and the collection of blood, muscle tissue and muscle fluid using procedures that will be overseen by a medical practitioner.
Contact Meegan Walker on 5459 4615 or Dr Chris Askew on 5430 1128 to participate.
— Terry Walsh