Open AccessStudying the impact of different body positioning, squatting, and unipodal flexion on perfusion in the lower limb – an exploratory approach complemented with optical spectroscopy (TiVi)
Author(s) -
Sérgio Nuno,
Margarida Florindo,
Henrique Silva,
Luís Monteiro Rodrigues
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
jornal de investigação biomédica e biofarmacêutica/jornal de investigação biomédica e biofarmacêutica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2182-2379
pISSN - 2182-2360
DOI - 10.19277/bbr.17.2.235
Subject(s) - squatting position , orthostatic vital signs , physical medicine and rehabilitation , laser doppler velocimetry , perfusion , medicine , supine position , foot (prosody) , blood flow , physical therapy , cardiology , blood pressure , linguistics , philosophy
Body posture and movement seem to be responsible for multiple variations of microcirculation in the foot, although difficulties associated with measurement during movement have limited their characterization. This pilot study sought to explore a new non-invasive instrument based on polarized light spectroscopy – the TiVi system, under orthostatic and dynamic conditions. Five healthy participants (duly informed, 26.0 ± 6.5 years of age) of both genders were selected. The protocol involved sequential posture changes (orthostatic variation) and dynamic movements (squatting and unipodal flexion). Perfusion variations were evaluated in both feet by laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF) and polarized spectroscopy (TiVi). Both systems revealed the same type of modification of these flow-related variables. The most pronounced changes were obtained with exercise, especially with squatting, which caused a marked increase in foot perfusion. Less dramatic but in the same direction, the increased perfusion with unipodal flexion was also observed in the contralateral limb. This study confirmed the interest in using the TiVi system in these domains, as well as the appropriateness of this experimental design to look deeper into the impact of lower limb movement on the functional dynamics of the foot.