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Abstract

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 4: Issue 1, Article 7, 2023. The use of blood flow restriction is becoming more common and requires the use of individualized pressures in order to remain a safe and effective rehabilitation modality. Measuring limb occlusion pressure (LOP) allows the practitioner to set the restriction pressure so that full occlusion does not occur. Objective: Compare a research-grade clinical vascular doppler and a consumer-grade vascular doppler in the measurement of LOP. Design: A randomized crossover design measuring LOP in the upper and lower body. Methods: 20 participants (men=10) visited the laboratory on one occasion. Limb circumference in the arm and thigh was measured. Following 10 min of supine rest, LOP was measured either in the arm, using a 5 cm wide inelastic cuff, or in the leg, using a 10 cm wide inelastic cuff. Measurements were repeated at 5 min intervals until LOP had been measured in both limbs with both dopplers. Results: Bland-Altman analysis showed agreement between the two dopplers in both the upper body (mean bias: 0.6 (-1.3 – 2.4) mmHg) and lower body (mean bias: -1.5 (-4.4 – 1.4) mmHg). Two one-sided tests of equivalence determined that both dopplers measured a statistically equivalent LOP in the upper body (p = .547) and lower body (p = .288). Conclusions: In a healthy, young population, the consumer-grade vascular doppler measured LOP equally as well as the research-grade clinical doppler.

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