Originally Posted by
sweeks
The lower extremities (legs) have veins with one-way valves in them. As the leg muscles contract, the veins are compressed forcing blood upwards toward the inferior vena cava (which also has these valves). So the muscles do, in fact, contribute to the flow of blood against gravity back to the heart.
Originally Posted by
sweeks
The lower extremities (legs) have veins with one-way valves in them. As the leg muscles contract, the veins are compressed forcing blood upwards toward the inferior vena cava (which also has these valves). So the muscles do, in fact, contribute to the flow of blood against gravity back to the heart.
Right. Fits the definition of a pump. I stand corrected, and with appropriate apology to
Rajflyboy.
I thunk it was given as the reason in that big blue Italian cycling federation book as the reason why all massage pressure should be done in the direction of the heart IIRC.
I followed this admonition scrupulously so I didn't damage those vascular gates.
