THE MEASUREMENT OF TOE ARTERIAL BLOOD PRESSURE DURING REST, CYCLING, AND WALKING

Abstract

The Portapres® is thought to be a device that can provide accurate toe blood pressure measurements. The first aim of the study was to validate the Portapres® for use on the toe during rest and exercise. The second aim was to determine the effect of cycling exercise on mean arterial pressure in the toe (MAPT). The Portapres® was able to provide accurate MAPT values during rest and exercise. It was hypothesized that MAPT would increase as cadence and power output increased. An increasing cadence was shown to increase MAPT when comparing cadences of 50 rpm (76.9±36.6 mmHg) and 90 rpm (80.2±37.4 mmHg) while maintaining the same power output (71.9±38.2 W). An increasing power output was shown to increase MAPT (high power=89.9±36.6 mmHg; low power=76.9±36.6 mmHg) when cadence was kept constant. The results from the study show that increased limb movement and power output increases arterial blood pressure in the toe.