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Updated: Jul 22, 2026

Non-invasive Assessment of Microvascular and Endothelial Function
Published on: January 29, 2013
Muscle blood flow in response to concentric muscular activity vs passive venous compression
Q Zhang1, G Andersson, L G Lindberg
1Department of Orthopaedics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.
Aim:
To measure muscle blood flow (MBF) using photoplethysmography (PPG) following concentric muscular activity of the leg (active treatment) or passive venous compression (passive treatment) with or without venous obstruction.
Methods:
In study A, blood flow in the anterior tibial muscle was measured in 15 healthy subjects with a mean age of 30 years. In study B, blood flow in the gastrocnemius muscle was measured in nine healthy subjects with a mean age of 34 years. Subjects performed concentric muscular activity in one leg. Passive venous compression by a venous foot pump was applied in the contralateral leg.
Results:
MBF increased significantly following concentric muscular activity, but not following passive venous compression. MBF decreased in both legs when venous obstruction, induced by a thigh tourniquet, was applied. However, MBF was significantly higher following concentric muscular activity than passive venous compression.
Conclusion:
We conclude that concentric muscular activity produces higher MBF values than passive venous compression.
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