In stage II peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) physical training is generally the therapy of choice if no reopening procedures are indicated. The aim of this pilot study was to ascertain the increase in claudication distance due to the exclusive implementation of an intensive exercise programme under standardized conditions, for a planned double blind placebo controlled study regarding the efficacy of pharmacotherapy in addition to physical training. 23 in-patients (median age 62 years) with an absolute claudication distance on treadmill of between 50 m and 200 m (12% inclination, 3 km/h walking speed) participated 5 days a week in the following intensive standardized physical training programme: in the morning and afternoon supervised gymnastics for about 30 minutes, followed by 2 cycles of treadmill exercise each amounting to 66% of the absolute claudication distance. After a training programme of 4 weeks the mean initial claudication distance rose significantly from 83 m to 134 m (61%), as did the mean absolute claudication distance from 127 m to 222 m (75%). If an increase in claudication distance of at least 60% is taken as criterion of efficacy, 48% of the patients can be defined as responders. After completion of personal inquiries 62% of the patients were willing to participate in a similar training programme again.