Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol 64, Issue 3 1017-1021, Copyright © 1988 by American Physiological Society

ARTICLES

Leg size and muscle functions associated with leg compliance

V. A. Convertino, D. F. Doerr, J. F. Flores, G. W. Hoffler and P. Buchanan
Biomedical Research Laboratory, NASA, Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899.

Leg compliance is "causally related with greater susceptibility" to orthostatic stress. Since peak O2 uptake (peak VO2) and muscle strength may be related to leg compliance, we examined the relationships between leg compliance and factors related to muscle size and physical fitness. Ten healthy men, 25-52 yr, underwent tests for determination of vascular compliance of the calf (Whitney mercury strain gauge), peak VO2 (Bruce treadmill), calf muscle strength (Cybex isokinetic dynamometer), body composition (densitometry), and anthropometric measurements of the calf. Cross-sectional areas (CSA) of muscle, fat, and bone in the calf were determined by computed tomography scans. Leg compliance was not significantly correlated with any variables associated with physical fitness per se (peak VO2, calf strength, age, body weight, or composition). Leg compliance correlated with calf CSA (r = -0.72, P less than 0.02) and calculated calf volume (r = -0.67, P less than 0.03). The most dominant contributing factor to the determination of leg compliance was CSA of calf muscle (r = -0.60, P less than 0.06), whereas fat and bone were poor predictors (r = -0.11 and 0.07, respectively). We suggest that leg compliance is less when there is a large muscle mass providing structural support to limit expansion of the veins. This relationship is independent of aerobic and/or strength fitness level of the individual.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				P. Arbeille, P. Kerbeci, L. Mattar, J. K. Shoemaker, and R. L. Hughson WISE-2005: tibial and gastrocnemius vein and calf tissue response to LBNP after a 60-day bed rest with and without countermeasures J Appl Physiol, April 1, 2008; 104(4): 938 - 943. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Lipp, P. Sandroni, J. E. Ahlskog, D. M. Maraganore, C. W. Shults, and P. A. Low Calf venous compliance in multiple system atrophy Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, July 1, 2007; 293(1): H260 - H265. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. C. E. de Groot, M. W. P. Bleeker, and M. T. E. Hopman Ultrasound: a reproducible method to measure conduit vein compliance J Appl Physiol, May 1, 2005; 98(5): 1878 - 1883. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Belin de Chantemele, L. Pascaud, M.-A. Custaud, A. Capri, F. Louisy, G. Ferretti, C. Gharib, and P. Arbeille Calf venous volume during stand-test after a 90-day bed-rest study with or without exercise countermeasure J. Physiol., December 1, 2004; 561(2): 611 - 622. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. N. Weingarten, J. Sprung, and J. R. Munis Peripheral Venous Pressure as a Measure of Venous Compliance During Pheochromocytoma Resection Anesth. Analg., October 1, 2004; 99(4): 1035 - 1037. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. W. P. Bleeker, P. C. E. De Groot, J. A. Pawelczyk, M. T. E. Hopman, and B. D. Levine Effects of 18 days of bed rest on leg and arm venous properties J Appl Physiol, March 1, 2004; 96(3): 840 - 847. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. R. Risk, V. Lirofonis, R. L. Armentano, and R. Freeman A biphasic model of limb venous compliance: a comparison with linear and exponential models J Appl Physiol, September 1, 2003; 95(3): 1207 - 1215. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. M. Wecht, R. E. De Meersman, J. P. Weir, A. M. Spungen, and W. A. Bauman Cardiac homeostasis is independent of calf venous compliance in subjects with paraplegia Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, June 1, 2003; 284(6): H2393 - H2399. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. D. Monahan, F. A. Dinenno, D. R. Seals, and J. R. Halliwill Smaller age-associated reductions in leg venous compliance in endurance exercise-trained men Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, September 1, 2001; 281(3): H1267 - H1273. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. E. Watenpaugh, J. C. Buckey, L. D. Lane, F. A. Gaffney, B. D. Levine, W. E. Moore, S. J. Wright, and C. G. Blomqvist Effects of spaceflight on human calf hemodynamics J Appl Physiol, April 1, 2001; 90(4): 1552 - 1558. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. R. Halliwill, C. T. Minson, and M. J. Joyner Measurement of limb venous compliance in humans: technical considerations and physiological findings J Appl Physiol, October 1, 1999; 87(4): 1555 - 1563. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. A. Lawler, J. R. Halliwill, J. M. Summer, M. J. Joyner, and S. L. Mulvagh Leg mass and lower body negative pressure tolerance in men and women J Appl Physiol, October 1, 1998; 85(4): 1471 - 1475. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. Louisy, P. Schroiff, and A. Guell Changes in leg vein filling and emptying characteristics and leg volumes during long-term head-down bed rest J Appl Physiol, June 1, 1997; 82(6): 1726 - 1733. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]