Effects of leg compression and calf muscle contraction by active ankle motion on venous hemodynamics in sitting...

To clarify the effects of compression and active ankle motion on venous hemodynamics in healthy sitting individuals.

In the sitting position, 14 participants performed plantar flexion and dorsiflexion of the ankle for 3 s each without compression. Changes in the calf volume were recorded using air plethysmography. Subsequently, the process was repeated with the application of tubular elastic bandage (TEB), followed by anti-thrombotic stocking (ATS).

The median interface pressure at the calf was 16 mmHg with TEB and 21 mmHg with ATS. Without compression (N), the median venous volume was 76 mL. This was reduced to 58 mL with TEB and 56 mL with ATS (p < .01 vs. N for both). On the other hand, ejection volume by plantar flexion in N (27 mL) was not significantly changed with TEB (31 mL) or ATS (31 mL). Also, ejection volume by dorsiflexion in N (53 mL, p < .001 vs. plantar flexion) was not significantly changed with TEB (53 mL, p < .01 vs. plantar flexion) or ATS (41 mL, p < .05 vs. plantar flexion).

The venous volume, which is defined as the change in enclosed calf volume from elevation to dependency, in the sitting position reduced similarly with TEB and ATS; however, the ejection volumes did not change significantly. Dorsiflexion exerted a larger ejection volume than plantar flexion in the sitting position.