ArticleJournal of vascular surgery. Venous and lymphatic disorders2025
The human lower leg muscle pump functions as a flow diverter pump, maintaining low ambulatory venous pressures during locomotion.
Article in Journal of vascular surgery. Venous and lymphatic disorders, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.
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Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed.
- Enhancement of Cerebral Oxygenation by Lower-Limb Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in Stroke Survivors.Annals of biomedical engineering · 2026Observational
- Macro- and microcirculatory factors affecting foot temperature change during walking.Experimental physiology · 2026Article
- The influence of aging on graded peripheral venous return and complex blood flow features through human veins.GeroScience · 2026Article
- Next Generation Experimental Models of Venous Physiology and Pathology: Examining Human Relevance in Recapitulating Lower Extremity Flow and Valve Function in New Approach Methods (NAMs).Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) · 2026Review
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Abstract
objectiveAmbulatory venous pressure (AVP) is the drop of pressure observed in the superficial veins of the lower leg during movement. This phenomenon has been linked to the function of the calf muscle pump (CMP) and the competence of venous valves. Nevertheless, the concept of the CMP function remains controversial. This study aimed to elucidate the association between lower leg muscles activity, changes in pressure in distinct venous segments, and lower extremity arterial blood supply in healthy subjects during various types and intensities of exercise.
methodsTwelve legs of nine healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. Continuous pressure (intramuscular vein [IV] and three great saphenous vein [GSV] points) and surface electromyography data (gastrocnemius and anterior tibial [ATM] muscles) were recorded during treadmill walking, running, and plantar flexion exercises. The pressure gradient (ΔP, mmHg) between adjacent points of measurement was calculated. Minute unit power of muscle pump ejection and suction (N
resultsΔP demonstrated a consistent pattern of changes during walking and running. In GSV, the ΔP was observed to be directed from the thigh to the mid-calf (retrogradely) and from the ankle to the mid-calf (anterogradely) throughout the entire stride cycle. However, its value decreased with increasing stride cycle frequency. The dynamics of ΔP between the IV and GSV were as follows: It was directed from the IV to GSV during gastrocnemius contraction and was reversed during anterior tibial muscle contraction and gastrocnemius relaxation (swing phase). LBF, N
conclusionsDuring natural locomotion, the muscle pump acts as a flow diverter pump, redirecting the flow of blood from the superficial veins to the intramuscular veins via the perforating veins. During ambulation, the pressure in the superficial venous network depends upon the capacity of the muscle pump to provide output that matches the changes in arterial blood flow.
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