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Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Doppler Ultrasound-Based Leg Blood Flow Assessment During Single-Leg Knee-Extensor Exercise in an Uncontrolled Setting
Published on: December 15, 2023
Ankle exercise and venous blood velocity
Paul D Stein1, Abdo Y Yaekoub, Syed T Ahsan
1Saint Joseph Mercy Oakland, 44405 Woodward Avenue, Pontiac, MI 48341-5023, USA. steinp@trinity-health.org
Ankle exercise boosts leg vein blood flow in both lying and sitting positions. This simple exercise may help prevent blood clots by reducing venous stasis.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Physiology
- Exercise Physiology
- Medical Ultrasound
Background:
- Ankle exercise is known to increase venous blood velocity when supine.
- The impact of ankle exercise on venous blood velocity while sitting remains uninvestigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis that repetitive foot dorsiflexion (ankle exercise) can increase venous blood velocity while sitting.
- To evaluate the effect of ankle exercise on popliteal vein blood flow in both supine and sitting positions.
Main Methods:
- Pulsed Doppler ultrasound was used to measure time-averaged peak velocity (TAPV) in the popliteal vein.
- Measurements were taken from 20 healthy male volunteers at rest and during ankle exercise in supine and sitting postures.
Main Results:
- While supine, ankle exercise increased popliteal vein TAPV from 11 cm/sec to 24 cm/sec (p<0.0001).
- When sitting, popliteal vein TAPV decreased to 3 cm/sec at rest but increased to 18 cm/sec with ankle exercise (p<0.0001).
- Ankle exercise significantly increased venous blood velocity in both positions.
Conclusions:
- Ankle exercise effectively increases venous blood velocity in both supine and sitting positions.
- This exercise transiently reduces venous stasis, suggesting a potential role in preventing deep venous thrombosis.
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