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Alterations in the rheological flow profile in conduit femoral artery during rhythmic thigh muscle contractions in humans.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Osada, T; Rådegran, G
Published in: Jpn J Physiol
February 2005

The present study examined the rheological blood velocity profile in the conduit femoral artery during rhythmic muscle contractions at different muscle forces. Eight healthy volunteers performed one-legged, dynamic knee-extensor exercise at work rates of 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 W at 60 contractions per minute. The time and space-averaged, amplitude-weighted mean (V(mean)) and maximum (V(max)) blood flow velocities in the common femoral artery were measured during the cardiosystolic phase (CSP) and cardiodiastolic phase (CDP) by the Doppler ultrasound technique. The V(max)/V(mean) ratio was used as a flow profile index, in which a ratio of approximately 1 indicates a "flat velocity flow profile" and a ratio significantly >1 indicates a "parabolic velocity flow profile." At rest, the V(max)/V(mean) ratio was approximately 1.3 and approximately 1.8 during the CSP and CDP, respectively. The V(max)/V(mean) ratio was higher (p < 0.01) during the CDP than during the CSP, both at rest and at all work rates. The V(max)/V(mean) ratio during the CSP was higher (p < 0.01) at 30 and 40 W compared to at rest. The V(max)/V(mean) ratio during the CDP was lower (p < 0.05) at 5 and 10 W compared to at rest. There was a positive linear correlation between blood flow and incremental work rates during both the CSP and CDP, respectively. Thus under resting conditions, the findings indicate a "steeper" parabolic velocity profile during the CDP than during the CSP. The velocity profile during the CDP furthermore shifts to being less "steep" during rhythmic muscle contractions at lower intensities, but to being reelevated and normalized as at rest during higher intensities. The "steepness" of the parabolic velocity profile observed during the CSP at rest increased during muscle contraction at higher intensities. In conclusion, the blood velocity in the common femoral artery is parabolic both at rest and during exercise for both the CSP and CDP, indicating the persistence of laminar flow. The occurrence of any temporary slight disturbance or turbulence in the flow at the sight of measurement in the common femoral artery does consequently not induce a persisting "disturbed" and fully flat "plug-like" velocity profile. Instead, the "steepness" of the parabolic velocity profile is only slightly modified, whereby blood flow is not impaired. Thus the blood velocity profile, besides being influenced by the muscle contraction-relaxation induced mechanical "impedance," seems also to be modulated by the cardiac- and blood pressure-phases, consequently influencing the exercise blood flow response.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Jpn J Physiol

DOI

ISSN

0021-521X

Publication Date

February 2005

Volume

55

Issue

1

Start / End Page

19 / 28

Location

Japan

Related Subject Headings

  • Ultrasonography, Doppler
  • Thigh
  • Rheology
  • Regional Blood Flow
  • Physiology
  • Observer Variation
  • Muscle, Skeletal
  • Muscle Contraction
  • Male
  • Hyperemia
 

Citation

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Osada, T., & Rådegran, G. (2005). Alterations in the rheological flow profile in conduit femoral artery during rhythmic thigh muscle contractions in humans. Jpn J Physiol, 55(1), 19–28. https://doi.org/10.2170/jjphysiol.R2074
Osada, Takuya, and Göran Rådegran. “Alterations in the rheological flow profile in conduit femoral artery during rhythmic thigh muscle contractions in humans.Jpn J Physiol 55, no. 1 (February 2005): 19–28. https://doi.org/10.2170/jjphysiol.R2074.
Osada, Takuya, and Göran Rådegran. “Alterations in the rheological flow profile in conduit femoral artery during rhythmic thigh muscle contractions in humans.Jpn J Physiol, vol. 55, no. 1, Feb. 2005, pp. 19–28. Pubmed, doi:10.2170/jjphysiol.R2074.

Published In

Jpn J Physiol

DOI

ISSN

0021-521X

Publication Date

February 2005

Volume

55

Issue

1

Start / End Page

19 / 28

Location

Japan

Related Subject Headings

  • Ultrasonography, Doppler
  • Thigh
  • Rheology
  • Regional Blood Flow
  • Physiology
  • Observer Variation
  • Muscle, Skeletal
  • Muscle Contraction
  • Male
  • Hyperemia