TY - JOUR
T1 - Effect of External Pressure on Skin Blood Flow at Lower Limb in Different Postures
AU - Ye-Hu Lu & Xiaoqun Dai
JO - Journal of Fiber Bioengineering and Informatics
VL - 1
SP - 22
EP - 26
PY - 2010
DA - 2010/03
SN - 3
DO - http://doi.org/10.3993/jfbi06201004
UR - https://global-sci.org/intro/article_detail/jfbi/4940.html
KW - Skin blood flow
KW - external pressure
KW - laser doppler flowmeter
KW - posture change
KW - lower limb
KW - supine
AB - The influence of garment pressure on human physiological activities has attracted researchers from many areas. In this study, 
to investigate the effect of external pressure on skin blood flow (SBF) at lower limb in different postures, external pressure was 
exerted on lower limb in supine and sitting postures using sphygmomanometer. Five undergraduate male students volunteered to 
participate in the study. An alternating pressure loading protocol between non-pressure and pressure of 20mmHg or 40mmHg was 
employed. The SBF undergoing pressure was observed with Laser Doppler Flowmeter. It was found that the SBF increased under 
low pressure and began to decrease as the pressure exceeded a certain level (around 35mmHg). It was speculated that the change 
in SBF due to external pressure was the result of balance between the neural effect and mechanical effect. The blood pressure in 
supine posture was lower than that in sitting posture, thus the blood pressure in metarterioles was lower in supine posture and 
thereby the SBF began to decrease under lower pressure in supine posture than that in the sitting posture. In the case of 
microcirculation, high pressure can be an obstacle, particularly in supine posture. These findings will be helpful in the design and 
application of tight-fit garments.