Table 1. Baseline characteristics.

	patients with PVD (n = 11)	healthy older adults (n = 11)	p value
Male/female gender	9/2	2/9
Age (years)	65 ± 6	73 ± 2	p = 0.002
Height	178 ± 6.3	166.5 ± 6.3	p = 0.000
Weight	83.8 ± 11.9	67 ± 12.7	p = 0.002
Systolic blood pressure (mmHg)	140 ± 8	129 ± 12	p = 0.01
Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg)	76 ± 9	74 ± 12	p = 0.33
Ankle brachial index	0.65 ± 0.19	1.10 ± 0.08	p = 0.000
Body mass index	26.3 ± 3	24 ± 3	p = 0.043
Maximal walking distance (meters)	254 ± 26	n.a.
Calf raises performed median (range)	65 (38–210)	100
Currently smoking	2	0

Data are expressed with mean ± standard deviation of the mean. The p-values have been generated by the use of an independent samples t-test.