Plantar vibration improves leg fluid flow in perimenopausal women

Abstract

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 degrees 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.

Rare adipose disorders (RADs) masquerading as obesity

“…In addition to improving strength and bone mineral density, whole body vibration (WBV) improves peripheral circula tion [159,160] and increases lymph flow, raising the threshold level for edema formation in the legs [161] . During WBV, the user simply stands (or stretches/exercises) on a platform for 10-15 min.…”

Low‐magnitude high‐frequency vibration accelerates callus formation, mineralization, and fracture healing in rats

“…Low-magnitude high-frequency vibration (LMHFV) is a form of biophysical intervention that provides cyclic loadings. Its osteogenic potential has been proven in animal models [11][12][13][14][15][16] and clinical trials, with positive effects shown on bone mineral density (BMD), [17][18][19][20][21] blood circulation, 22 muscle functions, and balance control. [23][24][25][26] Although the detailed cellular mechanism and molecular pathways remain to be explored, 27,28 this biophysical stimulation does provide noninvasive and systemic effects on musculoskeletal system and its osteogenic effect is promising.…”

Cardiomyopathy in Women: Second Heart Failure

“…A stimulus of this nature applied to the frontal plantar surface was found to completely block the drop in BP and increase in HR observed in women who could not maintain fluid return from the lower limbs during quiet sitting ( Figure 7) [15]. Further studies on the mechanism underlying these clinical observations have shown that the plantar reflex stimulation has no effect on lymphatic microfiltration rate, but rather increases the isovolumetric lymphatic pressure, as well as significantly enhancing perfusion in the lower leg, pelvic, and thoracic segments of the body [20].…”