Fig. 1

CMR imaging workflow. a Ischemia via arterial occlusion was induced in the lower extremity with an occlusive cuff tied around the middle of one thigh. The axial image slice was acquired at the widest part of the lower extremity. Four experimental statuses are defined as follows: baseline (Pre), cuff compression with a pressure of 20 mmHg above systolic pressure (Cuff-20), cuff compression with a pressure of 40 mmHg above systolic pressure (Cuff-40) and recovery period (Post). b T1-weighted anatomical images allow for the accurate delineation of muscle groups (1 = anterior, 2 = lateral, 3 = soleus, and 4 = gastrocnemius) in the lower extremity