Can gentle quadriceps neuromuscular ES boost blood flow?

Karolinska study reports a 2–3× rise in femoral vein velocity

Welcome to another post of our ORIEMS FIT RESEARCH DIGEST blog series.

Every week we uncover one more legit study. Most outlets only repeat research approved by corporations and the wealthy — we don’t. We explain it so simply that anyone, 14 or 70, can follow.

Many studies stay hidden because they threaten profit, control, or power. Our mission is to break those walls, spotlight honest scientists, and cut the jargon so you see what really matters.

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Karolinska Institutet and partners tested a wearable neuromuscular electrical stimulation (neuromuscular ES) setup on the quadriceps (front thigh) to see if it could push more venous blood back up the leg. Why does that matter? Better upward flow (measured as peak venous velocity, or PVV) is one way scientists think we can reduce the risk that slow, pooled blood might turn into clots.

Who did the research?
A team from Karolinska Institutet (Sweden) and the University of Borås (Smart Textiles) built textile-electrode “pants” to deliver gentle neuromuscular ES and then measured femoral vein flow with Doppler ultrasound.

Why these universities are legit

• Karolinska Institutet is one of the world’s top medical universities, ranked in the global top 50. Based in Stockholm with a 200-year history, it’s the same institution whose professors award the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine every year. Their research is trusted worldwide and often shapes clinical practice.

• The University of Borås is a Swedish public university with a global reputation for Smart Textiles research — turning fabrics into wearable medical and health technology. Its Smart Textiles Research Center is a European leader in combining engineering, textiles, and health care.
  Together, these two institutions combine medical authority and innovation in wearable technology, making the findings highly credible.

Who took part and what did they do?
15 healthy adults sat relaxed while the device stimulated their quads at different settings. Researchers looked at blood-flow speed in the femoral vein and asked about discomfort.

What did they discover (in plain English)?

• Even at low intensity, quad neuromuscular ES nearly doubled PVV; at a slightly higher preset level it rose ~2–3× above resting flow. Think of your vein like a highway: traffic moved much faster when the quad muscles were gently “squeezed” by neuromuscular ES.

• Best settings they found: about 36 Hz frequency with no ramp-up/down (a quick “on”) — this combo boosted flow strongly while keeping discomfort low. 66 Hz also boosted flow, but people reported a bit more discomfort at the higher intensity.

• Plateau time and duty cycle (how long on/off) didn’t change flow much here, which means these can be personalized for comfort.

• Reported discomfort was minimal at the muscle-twitch level and stayed low even when they nudged intensity up a little.

Why this matters for real people

• If you sit a lot (office, long drives, flights) or have days when you’re less active, helping your thigh muscles “pump” blood could support healthy circulation. This study shows quads alone can give a meaningful push upstream.

• Athletes & gym-goers: On recovery days, gentle neuromuscular ES might offer a low-effort circulation nudge without adding fatigue.

• Busy carers, retirees, or anyone with low mobility days: “Set and sit” support may be more doable than scheduled walks every hour.

Plain-language takeaway: Gentle quad neuromuscular ES = faster vein “traffic.” In this test, the flow sped up ~2–3× with little to no discomfort when tuned well.

Study summary (Q&A at a glance)

Research reference

Flodin J., Wallenius P., Guo L., Persson N-K., Ackermann P. Wearable Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Quadriceps Muscle Can Increase Venous Flow. Annals of Biomedical Engineering (2023) 51:2873–2882. Read the full paper here

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Disclaimer (mandatory)

This blog post is for informational and recreational purposes only. It is not medical advice. ORIEMS FIT does not diagnose, treat, or recommend. Research results apply only to the participants studied and may not apply to everyone. Electrical stimulation devices may not be suitable for all people. Risks can include muscle soreness, skin irritation, or discomfort if misused. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting or changing any treatment, exercise program, or device use. Reading this blog is not a substitute for professional medical care. For full details, visit: ORIEMS Disclaimer.

Call to discussion

What part of this study surprised you most — the flow jump, or how comfy the settings were? If you sit long hours (driving, gaming, office), would a gentle “leg traffic boost” help your routine? Tell us your situation and we’ll dig up more studies (with links) that fit your goals.

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