 Methods: 40 healthy volunteers aged 50 - 80 were seated for 4 hours during which they received mild electrical stimulation of the sole of the foot plantar plexus of muscles or intermittent pneumatic compression. Popliteal and femoral venous blood flow velocities were measured via Doppler ultrasound. Blood flow in the non-stimulated or non-compressed lower extremity served as a simultaneous control. Subjects completed a questionnaire regarding their acceptance and tolerance of both treatments. 