The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of bicycle ergometer training and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) for patients with intermittent claudication. Subjects were divided into four groups: the medication group (M), the PGE1 group (P), the exercise group (E) and the PGE1 and exercise group (PE). The P group was injected with 10 μg of PGE1, the E group performed bicycle ergometer exercise 3 times a week for 6 weeks, and the PE group was injected with PGE1 and performed exercises. The maximal walking distance (MWD) was evaluated by a treadmill test. Muscle oxygenation level was measured by near-infrared spectroscopy and recovery half time (T1/2) was calculated. MWD was significantly improved for P (142%), E (216%) and PE (240%) groups. T 1/2 was significantly improved in the E and PE groups. This study indicates that improvement of MWD was a result of development of muscle perfusion in lower limbs and PGE1 injection may support exercise therapy.