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This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 288/3/R623    most recent 00513.2004v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (4) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Stewart, J. M. Articles by McLeod, K. J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Stewart, J. M. Articles by McLeod, K. J.

NEUROHUMORAL CONTROL OF CARDIOVASCULAR FUNCTION

Plantar vibration improves leg fluid flow in perimenopausal women

Departments of ¹Pediatrics, ²Physiology, and ³Internal Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla and ⁵Department of Bioengineering, State University of New York at Binghamton, Binghamton, New York; and ⁴LDM Associates, San Jose, California

Submitted 29 July 2004 ; accepted in final form 29 September 2004

Recent studies have indicated that plantar-based vibration may be an effective approach for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. We addressed the hypothesis of whether the plantar vibration operated by way of the skeletal muscle pump, resulting in enhanced blood and fluid flow to the lower body. We combined plantar stimulation with upright tilt table testing in 18 women aged 46–63 yr. We used strain-gauge plethysmography to measure calf blood flow, venous capacitance, and the microvascular filtration relation, as well as impedance plethysmography to examine changes in leg, splanchnic, and thoracic blood flow while supine at a 35° upright tilt. A vibrating platform was placed on the footboard of a tilt table, and measurements were made at 0, 15, and 45 Hz with an amplitude of 0.2 g point to point, presented in random order. Impedance-measured supine blood flows were significantly (P = 0.05) increased in the calf (30%), pelvic (26%), and thoracic regions (20%) by plantar vibration at 45 Hz. Moreover, the 25–35% decreases in calf and pelvic blood flows associated with upright tilt were reversed by plantar vibration, and the decrease in thoracic blood flow was significantly attenuated. Strain-gauge measurements showed an attenuation of upright calf blood flow. In addition, the microvascular filtration relation was shifted with vibration, producing a pronounced increase in the threshold for edema, P_i, due to enhanced lymphatic flow. Supine values for P_i increased from 24 ± 2 mmHg at 0 Hz to 27 ± 3 mmHg at 15 Hz, and finally to 31 ± 2 mmHg at 45 Hz (P < 0.01). Upright values for P_i increased from 25 ± 3 mmHg at 0 Hz, to 28 ± 4 mmHg at 15 Hz, and finally to 35 ± 4 mmHg at 45 Hz. The results suggest that plantar vibration serves to significantly enhance peripheral and systemic blood flow, peripheral lymphatic flow, and venous drainage, which may account for the apparent ability of such stimuli to influence bone mass.

plantar vibration; orthostasis; blood flow; lymphatic flow; venous return

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				J. Jordan Good vibrations and strong bones? Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, March 1, 2005; 288(3): R555 - R556. [Full Text] [PDF]