2017 Volume 32 Issue 5 Pages 695-699
[Purpose] To examine the effects of ankle plantar- and dorsiflexion on hemodynamics and autonomic nervous system activity as a basis for the effective management of orthostatic hypotension. [Subjects and Methods] Eight healthy males (age: 28.8 ± 5.3) performed a motor task based on the following protocol: maintaining a resting sitting position for 5 minutes, executing ankle plantar- and dorsiflexion for 1 minute, and maintaining a resting sitting position again for 5 minutes, to evaluate hemodynamics and responses of the autonomic nervous system. [Results] Compared with resting values, the heart rate, stroke volume, and cardiac output during ankle plantar- and dorsiflexion were significantly higher. Such an effect was maintained until 1 minute after the motor task. In contrast, there were no marked changes in responses of the autonomic nervous system, represented by the LF/HF ratio and HF component. [Conclusion] The effect of ankle plantar- and dorsiflexion was immediate, and it lasted for approximately 1 minute, suggesting that these movements reduce hypotension immediately after standing.
