Fig. 5.

Impaired popliteal artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) after 5 days of adoption of a sedentary lifestyle is prevented by daily application of local (foot) heating (42°C, 3 times/day, 30 min/session) to increase leg blood flow. FMD measures were performed in the supine position in both legs at baseline and after 5 days of adoption of a sedentary lifestyle during which period one foot was intermittently submerged in 42°C water. The water reached up to the ankle (i.e., malleolus). Original screen shots from Doppler ultrasound images of the popliteal artery blood velocity during unilateral foot heating are also included. n = 13. *P < 0.05 vs. baseline. [Modified from Teixeira et al. (66).]