Acute effects of lower-limb intermittent negative pressure on microcirculatory function in Tai Chi athletes: an exploratory study
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Clinical Trial
Abstract: Objective To determine whether a single 20-min bout of lower-limb intermittent negative pressure (INP) acutely improves microcirculation in competitive Tai Chi athletes. Methods Twenty-eight male athletes (20.3 ± 1.0 years) underwent pre- and post-INP assessment of microvascular blood flow, moving blood-cell concentration, velocity, and transcutaneous oxygen (TcPO 2 ) and carbon-dioxide (TcPCO 2 ) tensions at the biceps brachii and vastus lateralis using laser-Doppler flowmetry and gas sensors. Vascular reserve was quantified after 5-min local heating. INP consisted of 30 s at −55 to −60 mbar followed by 10 s at atmospheric pressure for 20 min. Paired t-tests compared pre- and post-values; Cohen’s d gauged effect size. Results At baseline, TcPO 2 and TcPO 2 /TcPCO 2 were lower in the lower limb (P < 0.001, d = 0.92–0.75). Post-INP, no significant changes occurred in the upper limb. In the lower limb, TcPO 2 increased from 63.9 ± 10.2 to 77.4 ± 10.4 mmHg (P < 0.001, d = 1.31) and TcPO 2 /TcPCO 2 rose from 1.8 ± 0.4 to 2.4 ± 0.7 (P < 0.001, d = 1.05); hemodynamic variables were unchanged. Conclusion One session of lower-limb INP selectively enhances local oxygenation in Tai Chi athletes without affecting upper-limb microcirculation, offering a rapid, lower-limb-specific recovery strategy.
Source: Frontiers in Physiology
Authors: Xiaoliang Wu, Lan Li, Qianqian Fan
Institution: Woosuk University
Language: English
Subfield: Complementary and alternative medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
OpenAlex ID: W7123347498