Saturday, February 27, 2021

KAATSU Use During Long-distance Travel

For who? Baby Boomers, retirees, competitive athletes, vacationers
For what? Stress relief, recovery, jet lag, insomnia, functional movement, mobility



Recovery from jet lag or travel fatigue can be addressed with repeated KAATSU Cycle sets.

The applications of KAATSU Cycle sets while sitting or relaxing in bullet trains in Japan, on overnight travel on an AmTrak train, on a long-distance Greyhound bus, or during intercontinental travel in Europe are numerous, effective and efficient.

Use any KAATSU model with appropriately sized KAATSU Air Bands and do Progressive KAATSU Cycle sets, always starting at low pressure, and then subsequently increasing in SKU pressure.

You can use during ground - or air or marine - transportation; the longer the travel, the most beneficial KAATSU becomes.

Recommended protocols for optimal benefits:
* Be well hydrated before and during KAATSU Cycles.
* Start off in lowest SKU pressure setting.
* Sit or relax comfortably while doing KAATSU Cycles.
* Gently and repeatedly do simple exercises or movements.
* Continue with lowest SKU pressure setting - or gradually and slowly increase the pressure as you see fit.
* Enjoy the view, watch movies, read books or talk with friends and family while enjoying KAATSU.

Copyright © 2014 - 2021 by KAATSU Global

KAATSU For Space Colonization, Applications By SpaceX, Blue Origin

For who? Astronauts
For what? Sarcopenia, muscle maintenance, muscle atrophy, bone maintanence, bone degeneration (osteoarthritis)

In various research studies, KAATSU has been found to help prevent muscle atrophy during space flight (e.g., Hemodynamic responses to simulated weightlessness of 24-h head-down bed rest and KAATSU blood flow restriction).

Fundamentally, these research results indicate that KAATSU can stimulate a gravity-like stress during weightlessness, which can replicate the physiological outcome of standing back on earth. KAATSU reproduces the effects on the heart rate, stroke volume, norepinephrine, vasopressin, and plasma renin activity. while stimulating a gravity-like stress during weightlessness. Fundamentally, these research results indicate that KAATSU reproduces the effects of standing on heart rate, stroke volume, norepinephrine, vasopressin, plasma renin activity.

So not only can muscle mass be maintained in space flight, but also the blood circulation continues as it normally does in the upright position while on Earth. On a practical basis, use of KAATSU can help maintain the health and wellness of astronauts, but the short and efficient KAATSU sessions can also enable more research time for experiments and important research.

Muscle mass and bone denisty are normally decreased in space. But to prevent this, astronauts exercise on fixed equipment in the International Space Station at least six times per week for hours. In order to decrease the exercise time and increase the scientific work time in an effective, low-cost manner, the Japan Manned Space Systems Corporation worked with Dr. Sato and his KAATSU scientific collaborators to produce prototype KAATSU space equipment in 2006.

"But now with Elon Musk with SpaceX and Jeff Bezos with Blue Origin exploring and moving quickly to expand colonies and civilization to other planets, the issue of muscle mass and bone density maintenance becomes even more important," says Steven Munatones. "Now KAATSU is not only a reasonable solution for human health for space travel, but also what happens to the human body during short- or long-term colonization on planets with significantly less gravitational pull like the moon and Mars? This is where the application of KAATSU is an extremely low-cost, highly effective, highly efficient, portable, extremely small-scale solution to the human physiological issues of space travel and space colonization."



Dr. Gary E. Strangman of the Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, and his colleagues Doctors Vladimir Ivkovic, Quan Zhang, Aaron Baggish, Adam Cohen, Brian Nahed, Aaron Dentinger, Eric Bershad, and Eric Rosenthal looked into testing KAATSU equipment for its potential to reduce elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) in astronauts and those in zero gravity conditions.

In their report, Dr. Strangman notes, "In a handful of astronauts, elevated ICP has been found days or months post‐flight (measured by lumbar puncture). This visual impairment and intracranial pressure (VIIP) condition varies notably across astronauts.

To date, no countermeasures have been tested for VIIP, although two countermeasures have been utilized in spaceflight to mitigate in‐flight cephalad fluid shifts (and related cardiovascular changes): (1) Russian‐made Braslet thigh cuffs, and (2) lower‐body negative pressure (LBNP). Both help redistribute blood from the upper body into the lower extremities, for a more Earth‐equivalent fluid distribution. Both have operational challenges, including availability, obtrusiveness, and calibration
."

So they studied and tested KAATSU the original BFR, the first in space.

His explanation is posted above.

In Japan at the University of Tokyo Hospital, its cardiologists also studied blood flow in the brain with subjects doing KAATSU and documented the resultant improved blood flow in the brain when subjects were tested with MRI scanners.



































Copyright © 2014 - 2021 by KAATSU Global

Friday, February 26, 2021

How Do You Approach Training?

For who? Competitive athletes, extreme athletes, recreational athletes
For what? Recovery, functional movement, mobility, flexibility, warm-up


























A common issue that many athletes do not often address is the methods in which they approach their practices on a daily basis.

Many are content to simply show up on time. They either rush from home or school with many things on their mind. Others are distracted by friends, homework, work responsibilities, family matters or even what to make for dinner that evening.

"I thought I was preparing for workouts simply if I remembered all my gear and I showed up in time," recalled Steven Munatones. "But Dr. Sato, the inventor of KAATSU, demonstrated to me how a more thoughtful approach - even to the cellular level - was so much more productive and effective. That is where the KAATSU Cycle mode comes into play."

So getting ready to go to the pool or gym or field can now include putting on the KAATSU Air Bands first on your arms and then subsequently on your legs. By increasing the blood circulation before you start your training, by generating a surge of hormones and adrenalin before the workout starts really helps to make each and every workout so much better.



And the same is true after a workout - as Michael Andrew explains in his vlog above about his daily use of KAATSU the Original BFR.

Copyright © 2014 - 2021 by KAATSU Global

World-class Speed And Strength With KAATSU

For who? Bobsledders, competitive athletes, Olympic athletes, professional athletes
For what? Strength, speed, functional movement, mobility, flexibility, technical movements, technique

Robert Heiduk [shown on left] is a German sports scientist and the author of KAATSU - The Pressure Training From Japan. He is also a highly sought-after consultant for Google and PPG Industries, and many world-class athletes from powerlifters to bobsledders. Sprinters, middle-distance athletes, and distance specialists train differently, have different bodies, workout plans, and mindsets. This is true in running, swimming, cycling, speed skating and many different types of winter sports.

But, as Heiduk teaches, all athletes can effectively and efficiently use the 3 basic applications of KAATSU the original BFR:

*Level 1: KAATSU Cycle
*Level 2: KAATSU Performance
*Level 3: KAATSU Recovery

Level 1: KAATSU Cycle:
The KAATSU Cycle is a convenient, easy-to-use, automatic mode that requires no physical movement. It can be done anywhere (e.g., office cubicles, airplane seats, sofas at home, desks at school) anytime (e.g., before or after workouts), on the arms and separately on the legs. Before a workout, physical movement like stretching or an easy jog or calisthenics in the KAATSU Cycle mode is a great warm-up.

During the KAATSU Cycle mode, the KAATSU Air Bands remain connected to the KAATSU equipment (KAATSU Master 2.0, KAATSU Nano, KAATSU Cycle 2.0, KAATSU C3 or KAATSU B1 units) and automatically inflates and deflates to pressures between 0 - 500 SKU.

It is standard KAATSU protocol that athletes start with low pressures on their first KAATSU Cycle set (e.g., Group Low on the KAATSU Cycle 2.0 or Level 1 on the KAATSU Master or 100 SKU on the KAATSU Nano). The second and subsequent sets can be gradually increased to higher pressures (e.g., Group Medium and Group High on the KAATSU Cycle 2.0 or Level 2-5 on the KAATSU Master or 150-400 SKU on the KAATSU Nano).

The KAATSU Cycle mode helps increase the vascular tissue elasticity and prepare the athlete for a vigorous workout or competition.

Level 2: KAATSU Performance
The KAATSU Constant mode is ideal for any kind of athletic performance. After inflating the KAATSU Air Bands to the athlete's optimal SKU pressure, the bands are untethered (disconnected) from the KAATSU equipment so athletes can work on their starts or anything else from swings of a golf club to turns in a pool, especially after 3-6 KAATSU Cycle sets have been completed.

KAATSU Performance is the most intense form of vigorous exercise and is highly aerobic. Athletes should always remain well hydrated before and during KAATSU - and should always monitor their CRT (Capillary Refill Time) and should immediately take off the bands if they feel lightheaded or uncomfortable.

Athletes can combine specific distances or durations (or sets or drills) with pace, interval and pressure or KAATSU DPIP.

KAATSU DPIP
DPIP = Distance (or Duration) + Pace + Interval + Pressure

KAATSU Air Bands are inflated so athletes can achieve a certain pace in specific intervals over a set distance or duration.

For example, a runner can run 8x400m at 2-minute intervals at a 1-minute pace with the KAATSU bands set at 100 SKU. Swimmers can swim 8x100m at 1:45 at a 1:20 pace with the KAATSU bands set at 100 SKU.

Once this initial KAATSU DPIP set can be repeatedly achieved at 100 SKU (keeping the distance, pace and interval constant), the runners and swimmers can then increase their SKU pressure to 110 SKU. After the second set at 110 SKU can be repeatedly achieved (keeping everything constant), the runners and swimmers can then increase their SKU pressure to 120 SKU. They can continue to increase the pressure - or alternatively, increase their distance (or duration) or pace, or decrease their interval.

The SKU pressures used during the KAATSU 3-point Exercises are dependent upon the appropriate Base SKU and Optimal SKU pressures.

Level 3: KAATSU Recovery
After a hard strength-training session, a vigorous workout, or a competition, athletes can use the KAATSU Cycle mode to efficiently flush out lactate from their major muscle groups, enabling them to recover well in time for their next workout or competitive event.

The KAATSU Cycle mode is convenient and easy-to-use for post-workout recovery. The athletes can just sit and apply the KAATSU Air Bands to their arms and then their legs - or vice versa.

To recover from a workout or a competition, some athletes prefer to do repeated KAATSU Cycle sets with the same SKU pressure. Alternatively, other athletes prefer to start with a higher pressure and then decrease their pressure on subsequent sets. Some athletes prefer to do the opposite; they start with lower pressures and then increase their pressure on subsequent sets. It all depends on what the athletes prefer.

Athletes start with lower pressures on the first Cycle (e.g., Group Low on the KAATSU Cycle 2.0, Level 1 on the KAATSU Master, or 100 SKU on the KAATSU Nano). Subsequent sets are set to higher pressures (e.g., Group Medium and Group High on KAATSU Cycle 2.0, Levels 2-5 on KAATSU Master, or 150-400 SKU on KAATSU Nano).



Copyright © 2014 - 2021 by KAATSU Global

Thursday, February 25, 2021

Improving Powerlifting Recovery and Results with KAATSU

For who? Competitive athletes, powerlifters, bodybuilders, football players, sumo wrestlers
For what? Strength, functional movement, mobility, flexibility, warm-up, recovery




































Giancarlo Mavrici and Emma Bollinger quickly realized the benefits of KAATSU - and all its different applications.

The 22-year-old powerlifter from Germany and the 18-year-old American Olympic weightlifter from Florida are both emerging in their weight divisions in the sport of competitive powerlifting.

Mavrici, a 94 kg powerlifter, set a new German national junior deadlift record when he lifted 307.5 kg. Five months later in March 2016, Mavrici increased his deadlift performance to 320 kg while shedding 2 kg of body weight. During the same period, he also improved his squat best from 275 kg to 300 kg. His improvement was credited to his use of KAATSU. He explains here.

His key to success?



























Mavrici uses a KAATSU Nano to recover from his strenuous competitions. "After a deloading period with KAATSU Training, he comes back more refreshed and stronger because KAATSU does not create muscle damage," explained KAATSU Master Specialist Robert Heiduk who authored the book KAATSU - The Pressure Training From Japan: New Perspectives in sport, therapy and health promotion. "KAATSU leads to high levels of muscle activation. It’s very good at inducing hypertrophy with potential in many different settings ranging from rehabilitation and regular exercise to sport specific training."


































Bollinger is similarly rapidly moving up the ranks in her USA Weightlifting class where she is currently ranked #4 in the USA in the 55 kg weight class.

Her key to success?

Her father Rob, "Emma feels lucky to use the KAATSU and really can tell a difference in her readiness for competition lifts. When she goes to college this summer, she will take our unit because KAATSU is now a staple in her competition prep. Emma has found that using the KAATSU Cycle 2.0 KAATSU in concert with a Therabody Theragun Pro are very effective tools pre- post-workout and competition.

Employing a Therabody Theragun Pro, Emma spends about 20 minutes doing a complete pass over her body focusing on major muscle groups for 20-30 seconds. Then she employs the KAATSU Cycle 2.0 on the Cycle mode G1-G3 with the KAATSU Air Bands on her legs. Emma begins with active stretching and then will repeat Cycles on the G2 and G3 levels while moving an empty 15 kg barbell through the patterns of movement that align with the Clean & Jerk as well as the Snatch. During Admin time and while waiting on deck to lift, Emma uses the KAATSU Air Bands on her arms on Cycle levels G1 & G2.
"


























Emma stretching with her KAATSU Air Bands on her legs, pre-competition.


























Emmy starting her post-competition KAATSU Cycles with the KAATSU Air Bands on her legs.

Rob sums up his daughter's post-competition protocol, "Recovery is usually in the vehicle headed back home where Emma will employ the KAATSU Cycle 2.0 in the Cycle mode G1-G3 and P1-P3 on the drive."

"Athletes like Giancarlo and Emma can use their KAATSU devices in so many different ways," says Steven Munatones. "During training, they can literally begin their warm-up soon after they wake up. While getting ready for school or a morning workout, they can throw on their KAATSU Air Bands and do Cycles at low, conservative pressures while they are brushing their teeth or getting their gear ready - even before they leave their home.

Then, during their actual workouts, they can work on their technique, either without weights or very little weight, with the KAATSU in the Constant mode. As they improve, they can still use the light weights, but start increasing the KAATSU Constant pressure levels. Then, of course, they use the KAATSU Cycle mode for recovery post-workouts - and then again, within an hour of going to bed in order to help prepare their bodies for high-quality sleep. In their heavy training periods, this evening/sleep recovery is essential
."

To follow Giancarlo Mavrici, visit here and to visit Emma Bollinger, visit here.

Note: Athletes like Mavrici who are powerlifters compete in the squat, bench press, and deadlift to see who can lift as much weight as possible for 1 repetition. Powerlifters have three attempts to reach their maximum weight and are ranked in body-weight and age categories. The winner is determined by who has the highest powerlifting total.

Athletes like Bollinger who are Olympic weightlifters attempt a maximum-weight single lift in the snatch and the clean and jerk. The snatch is a wide-grip, one-move lift. The clean and jerk is a close-grip, two-move lift. Each weightlifter receives three attempts in each, and the combined total of the highest two successful lifts determines the overall result within a bodyweight category.

Copyright © 2014 - 2021 by KAATSU Global

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Robert Griswold Recovers From High Lactate Levels With KAATSU

For who? Competitive athletes, swimmers, masters swimmers, runners, rowers
For what? Strength, recovery, functional movement, mobility, flexibility, cool-down







































Robert Griswold is an American Paralympic swimmer and gold medal favorite for the upcoming Tokyo Paralympics in various events. He has cerebral palsy and does KAATSU Cycles before and after his 8-times-per-week workouts and races as part of his pre-swim warm-ups and post-swim cool-downs.

During the complete lockdown at the U.S. Olympic Training Center due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Griswold spent nearly a year of trying his best to being creative in order to maintain his speed, strength, stamina and flexibility. He also graduated from Indiana State University, began clerking at a law firm in St. Louis, Missouri, and continues to train 8 times per week in anticipation of the Paralympic Trials in Lewisville, Texas in April with the anticipation of winning medals at the Tokyo Paralympics.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the administration at the U.S. Olympic Training Center shut down its facilities, but also would not let the athletes off the Training Center campus. The athletes had no way to leave the Center, but swimmers also had no way to train properly in a pool. So what did Griswold do? He looked for an AirBnB with a backyard pool and found one and negotiated an early morning training schedule with the owner.

He and his roommate would sneak out of the Training Center campus through a side door before the sun came up. They would get to the AirBnB house with a 13-meter pool. They jury-rigged a tether unit and did creative pool workouts. He also finagled his way to get a Vasa Trainer unit and figured out a way to stay in shape with his ingenuity and KAATSU Air Bands that he used on dry land and in the pool.

Eventually, he ended up moving to St Louis where he currently trains in a 50m pool 8 times per week while working as a law clerk 25 hours per week. The United States Paralympic Trials are on April 10-12.

He explains his recovery protocol, "When I came back and competed in my first swim meet at the U.S. Open, I swam the 400m individual medley. I was about 95% of my peak physical abilities and just barely missed the world record. When I got out of the pool, I used my lactate meter and showed the USA Swimming National Team High Performance Director that his post-race lactate levels were 19.9 mmol/L. The director saw my lactate reading and said that 19.9 must be a mistake.

So I retested a few minutes later and I tested at 20.2 mmol/L. The director was surprised it was that high
."

But Griswold uses his KAATSU equipment to help him recover from these high lactate levels. He swims easily (loosens down) for 600 meters until his lactate reading is between 7-8 mmol/L. Then he gets out of the water and does KAATSU Cycles until his lactate is reduced to 2.1 or lower mmol/L.

Copyright © 2014 - 2021 by KAATSU Global

Gout Testimonials After KAATSU Cycles

For who? Individuals with gout, individual with varicose veins
For what? Gout, pain relief, functional movement, mobility, balance

58-year-old John Shipman from Southern California has gout. He explains, "I take a medication for it daily, and have a medicine in case a flare-up occurs called colchicine that usually knocks out the gout once I feel it coming on. This time though, I have a different brand of culture since it didn’t work so I experienced a really intense painful bout of gout."

His sons, who are competitive water polo players and avid KAATSU Nano users, suggested John at least try KAATSU for some kind of relief.

"So I tried KAATSU," he recalls. "I couldn’t walk. But, ohh my God, right after KAATSU, I was able to walk. It actually felt good as I was trying to move my foot around. It loosened up after three KAATSU Cycles with very little movement. This is amazing.

I am not sure how I’m gonna feel in four hours or tomorrow morning, but right now I feel like I can actually walk and it feels good in my ankle joint on my left foot. It was so painful that even the slightest fabric rub or touch was almost a 9 on a 10 scale. I was just happy that I could get some sleep tonight. So glad we have the KAATSU machine
."

The next report came shortly thereafter, "It’s interesting with gout. The movement with the KAATSU bands on helps circulate the blood. Previously, any movement caused intense pain so much that you don’t want to live, thus little circulation. With KAATSU, you don’t have to move too much (and with little pain) to get the benefit and results of increased circulation from the movement. It seems to work and I was able to move relatively well after the first KAATSU Cycle with very little pain. In fact, it felt like the comfort you get from a stretch or scratching an itch to be able to move during the second and third KAATSU Cycles."

The next day, John reported again, "It’s quite amazing. Literally the feeling was like a 9 on the pain scale before KAATSU. It dropped down to a 5 during the first KAATSU Cycle, then a 2 during KAATSU Cycles #2 and #3. This was counter-balanced by a euphoric feeling from mobility in the ankle at a 3 or 4 in any euphoria scales. So while the pain was still there, the range of motion and euphoric feeling overtook any slight pain and made me want to walk during Cycles #2 and #3. This morning, the pain was elevated but much less, like a 6. Amazing really."

Copyright © 2014 - 2021 by KAATSU Global

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Play On With KAATSU - How To Get Better With Age

For who? Competitive athletes, recreational athletes, masters athletes, weekend warriors, tactical athletes, Baby Boomers
For what? Strength, speed, stamina, functional movement, mobility, flexibility, recovery



"Those pins and needles you're feeling are literally new capillaries being formed," Jeff Bercovici heard when he first tried the original KAATSU Nano in Huntington Beach, California. The author of Play On: The New Science of Elite Performance at Any Age (or Play On - How To Get Better With Age or アスリートは歳を取るほど強くなる in Japanese) was visiting the first KAATSU Studio outside of Japan.

Bercovici continued to listen to the KAATSU Master Specialist as the pink KAATSU Air Bands repeatedly inflated and deflated in regular intervals. He was told, "What we're doing now is a form of warm-up. We're putting pressure on the vascular walls, then releasing it. Putting pressure on the vascular walls, then releasing it. We're warming you up from the inside out."

After a series of hand clenches that got to be difficult, Bercovici then began a series of biceps curls without any weights. He recalled, "It's been years since I've curled heavy dumbbells. After 15 of these weighless curls, my arms feel fatigued in a way I remember from back then."

His third set of exercises was triceps extensions. "Still unweighted. This time, I don't even make it to the second set. My arms are toast."

Bercovici is sold on KAATSU and the hardware that standardizes its application for safety and effectiveness. "KAATSU is one of a number of new technologies that seek to make athletic training more efficient and effective by separateing the good kinds of training stimuli - the ones that promote desirable adaptation - from the kinds that cause fatigue, injury, and repetitive strain. Like cross-training, polarized training, and altitude training, these technologies hold particular promise for older athletes."

In Play On, Bercovici also recalled the experience of a KAATSU executive who was in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii demonstrating KAATSU to a group of 25 fitness trainers for the U.S. military's Special Forces. "Because commandos spend so much time deployed in the field, they typically prefer exercise programs that can be done anywhere, including absurb volumes of calisthenics. [Richard Herstone] was getting a strong vibe of skepticism from several jacked-up members of his audience, so he singled out the fittest-looking and most skeptical trainer and asked about his fitness regimen. The man replied: a 10-mile run and 1-mile swim, followed by 150 pull-ups and between 1,000 and 2,000 push-ups, depending on the day. Herstone invited the man to put the bands on and demonstrate his push-up prowess.

'He got to 36,' he recalls. 'He couldn't get off the ground, and these 24 other guys are giving him crap. I could see this look of [being] pissed. He won't look at me. So he takes off the bands, walks away, an then he comes back and says, 'You realize you just saved me an hour to an hour and a half a day?'
"

Bercovici knows there is a miracle drug that increases life span, boosts immune function, releases good hormones and suppresses bad ones, improves sleep, and speeds up metabolism. "It's called exercise, and it...pretty much just builds muscle."

Referring to KAATSU, Bercovici now knows that physiologically exercise doesn't have to involve exercise. At least not with KAATSU which is exercising one's body from the inside out.

For more information or to order the book Play On - How To Get Better With Age, visit here.

Copyright © 2014 - 2021 by KAATSU Global

G.I. Joe Takes Flight And Continues Improvement

For who? Para athletes, paraplegics, disabled athletes, wounded warriors
For what? Functional movement, adventure



Not only has retired U.S. Army Green Beret Sergeant 1st Class Joseph Lowrey made significant improvements in his muscle tone and mobility after improbably surviving a horrific gunshot wound to his head during a combat tour in Afghanistan, but also his vision scores have returned to his pre-seizure levels.

"Not only has Joe improved his cognitive functions, but his vision improvements will enable him to obtain a California State driver's license," said Steven Munatones. "Getting his license and being able to drive is another major step in his long rehabilitation from a month-long coma after getting shot in the head. When I first met Joe, he had to record everything that I said because his short-term memory was so impacted. Now, Joe can talk profoundly about his ketogenic diet or his increased muscle tone and elasticity or a new author he is reading or his deep faith in God."

The Long Beach, California native is an avid KAATSU Cycle 2.0 user - doing twice-daily sessions on both his arms and legs - while launching his G.I. Joe YouTube channel and working with his colleagues at United Wings of Liberty.

United Wings of Liberty is a military veteran nonprofit organization that acts a hub for all Veteran nonprofit organizations, patriotic business owners and citizens [see here].





Copyright © 2014 - 2021 by KAATSU Global

Rob Bollinger Pushing The Envelope Of Excellence

For who? Tactical athlete, Green Beret, military, Special Operations
For what? KAATSU Specialist

Retired Colonel Rob Bollinger is a 24-year veteran Army Special Forces officer with nine years of command experience leading diverse organizations in both peacetime as well as during combat tours after 9/11.

The Green Beret was consistently recognized as a Top 5% executive in a highly competitive field of special operations officers. Over the course of his career, he was acknowledged for success in leadership, project management, policy development, and fiscal consulting.

His management experience derives from leading diverse organizations from 12–1000 employees in the most complex and volatile environments imaginable.

Post-retirement, Bollinger continues to push the envelope of excellence and care of those around him. He is currently a Board member for Combat Veterans to Careers [see here] and is responsible for recreational rehabilitation opportunities.

Tirelessly, he also simultaneously serves as a Board Member for Tecton where he is responsible for program effectiveness and operational system efficiency.

John Doolittle recalls Bollinger's introduction to KAATSU, "Rob was introduced to KAATSU after rehabilitating his injuries associated with his combat service. He was one of the first advocates for the use of KAATSU for rapid rehabilitation at U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) headquarters in Tampa, Florida."

Copyright © 2014 - 2021 by KAATSU Global

Kevin Edgerton Exceeding Expectations Of Himself And Others

For who? Tactical athlete, KAATSU Specialist, Special Operator, Special Forces
For what? Strength & conditioning, KAATSU Specialist

As long as Kevin Edgerton can remember, he has always mentally and physically challenged himself.

The Colorado resident is a retired Special Forces Detachment Commander and Special Forces Communication Sergeant who served over 26 years in the U.S. Army.

He currently works for the U.S. Air Force at Lackland Air Force Base, Special Warfare Human Performance Squadron as the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach. He leads the squadron providing cutting-edge fitness protocols, including the application of KAATSU, for future and hopeful Pararescue, Combat Control, Tactical Air Control Party, and Special Reconnaissance personnel.

Training for his life’s calling as both a Special Forces Operator and Strength and Conditional Coach began with sports.

At the age of five, he went all-out in his athletic pursuits in baseball, football, wrestling, and soccer. "Virtually any athletic activity I could get my hands on. When I joined the U.S. Army, it was no different. I set the highest expectations for my time there and was determined to exceed them. My first goal was to become a U.S. Army Special Forces Soldier, also known as a Green Beret, then become an Officer and leader in the same organization.

His goals were admittedly exceeded. "Within decades of investing in my ambitions, I was awarded my dream and positions far greater and more fulfilling than I could have hoped for. In 1998, I began earning credentials in the fitness industry, obtained my Personal Trainer Certification, and later developed a CrossFit Program for the 10th Special Forces Group. Later, programs were built for 1st Special Forces Group in Okinawa, Japan. My athletes went on to win the Asian CrossFit Games."

Upon retirement as a Special Forces Officer, his passion for training continued to burn brightly. Edgerton is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Olympic Weight Lifting Coach, Power Lifting Coach, and a range of other critical technical skills. He completed a Masters in Health & Sport’s Science and accepted an opportunity as the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Special Warfare Human Performance Squadron. "Within this position, I have had a direct role in training personnel before, during, and after selection and qualification training supporting their goal to become Air Force Special Operators in the fields of Pararescue, Combat Control, Tactical Air Control Party, and Special Reconnaissance.

He is also concurrently an owner of 18A Fitness where he develops future warriors.

At 18A Fitness, warriors are made...patiently, passionately, painstakingly and professionally.

"As the go-to organization for Green Berets, Army Rangers, and Special Warfare Airmen in their pursuit of peak physical and mental performance, we are as good as it gets," he explains.

"Armed with the immense, real-world experience where I incorporate proper mobility, breathing, heart rate variability, strength, stamina, cardiovascular, and mental training, our services exceed the capabilities of the average gym or personal training service.

We prepare men and women to endure the rigors of Special Operations training, or other high-performance environments, with detailed, focused, all-inclusive plans that can’t be found anywhere else
."

For more information on 18A Fitness and retired Special Forces Captain Kevin Edgerton who is a KAATSU Ambassador, visit here.

Copyright © 2014 - 2021 by KAATSU Global

Thursday, February 18, 2021

Progressive KAATSU Cycles In The Air

For who? Road warriors, executives, competitive athletes, professional athletes
For what? Recovery, jet lag, insomnia, travel



























































Over the decades of intercontinental travel between Japan, Europe and the USA, KAATSU Global has developed ways to use the KAATSU Cycle mode in order to avoid or mitigate jet lag when crossing many time zones.

Travelers can follow these basic protocols:

1. Do Progressive KAATSU Cycle sets before boarding the airplane at the departing airport.
2. Remain well hydrated during the flight.
3. Do a series of KAATSU Cycle sets before or after the in-flight meal.
4. Do a series of KAATSU Cycle sets before landing.
5. Do a series of very gentle or passive KAATSU Cycle sets in the hotel before bedtime in the new location.
6. Use conservative (low) pressures; avoid medium and higher pressures unless you are a very experienced user.

The KAATSU protocols are separated into 3 different recommendations based on our intercontinental travel experiences over the last 20 years.

Assumption: KAATSU Cycle sets are done in the economy-class section. In cases where the KAATSU user is in business class or first class, there is much more space and comfort to do KAATSU, especially on one's legs.

Short-haul Flights (under 3 hours)
Examples: Heathrow to Amsterdam, Heathrow to Madrid, Los Angeles to San Francisco, New York to Washington DC, Tokyo to Fukuoka
Note: generally, the short-haul flights are not exceeding 2 time zones.
Recommendations:
1. Do 2-4 KAATSU Cycle sets in morning and/or at the airport. It can be done on your legs and/or arms as you prefer.
2. For economy-class short-haul flights, the seats tend to be the most narrow and the flights tend to be the most crowded. Under these conditions, the KAATSU Air Bands are more difficult to put on your legs. Focus on doing KAATSU Cycle sets on your arms in this case.
3. If a morning flight, do 2-6 KAATSU Cycle sets on your arms shortly after leveling off.
4. Stay well hydrated.
5. After KAATSU Cycle sets are completed, you can rest, work, listen to music, or watch movies for the rest of the flight.
6. Do 2-6 KAATSU Cycle sets on way to hotel or once in hotel. If at the hotel, doing KAATSU Cycles on the legs feels good while unpacking and getting ready to go out.

Medium-haul Flights (3-6 hours)
Examples: London to Moscow, London to Athens, Los Angeles to New York, New York to Washington DC, Tokyo to Seoul
Note: generally, the medium-haul flights are exceeding 3-4 time zones.
Recommendations:
1. Do 2-6 KAATSU Cycles in morning and/or at the airport. It is best to do KAATSU Cycles first on the arms and then on the legs.
2. For economy-class medium-haul flights, the seats tend to be the more narrow than longer flights. The flights tend to be the crowded. Under these conditions, the KAATSU Air Bands are more difficult to put on your legs. Focus on doing KAATSU Cycle sets on your arms only.
3. If a morning flight, do 2-6 KAATSU Cycle sets on your arms shortly after leveling off.
4. Always stay well hydrated while staying away from alcohol.
5. After initial set of KAATSU Cycle sets are completed, you can rest, work, listen to music, or watch movies for the rest of the flight.
6. You can also do KAATSU Cycle sets again at your hotel before going to bed. At the hotel, doing KAATSU Cycle sets on the legs feels good while unpacking and getting ready to go out or to bed.
Note: avoid doing vigorous exercises with the KAATSU equipment before bedtime - this will stimulate adrenalin, not your parasympathetic system.

Long-haul Flight (over 6 hours)
Examples: London to Washington DC, London to Dubai, Los Angeles to Tokyo, New York to Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo to Singapore
Note: generally, the long-haul flights are exceeding 5-6 time zones​and many times, many more time zones
Recommendations:
1. Do 2-6 KAATSU Cycles in morning and/or at the airport. It is best to do KAATSU Cycle sets first on your arms and then on your legs.
2. For economy-class long-haul flights, the seats can have enough room to do KAATSU Cycle sets on your legs. If possible and if comfortable do KAATSU Cycle sets on your arms first and then your legs.
3. If a morning flight, do 2-6 KAATSU Cycle sets on your arms shortly after leveling off. Follow up with 2-6 KAATSU Cycles on your legs.
4. Always stay well hydrated preferably with water (no alcohol).
5. After initial set of KAATSU Cycle sets are completed, you can rest, work, listen to music, or watch movies for the rest of the flight.
6. It is also best to do KAATSU Cycle sets again towards the end of the flight with the same protocol. If not possible, do once in hotel before going to bed. At the hotel, doing KAATSU Cycle sets on the legs feels good while unpacking and getting ready to go out.
Note: avoid doing vigorous exercises with the KAATSU equipment before bedtime - this will stimulate adrenalin, not your parasympathetic system.

Additionally, a few other posts on this subject here, here, and here.

Copyright © 2014 - 2021 by KAATSU Global

Saturday, February 13, 2021

Post-Natal KAATSU

For who? Mothers
For what? Pregnancy, childbirth, functional movement, mobility, flexibility, balance, varicose veins

A full postpartum recovery from pregnancy and childbirth is transformative and takes months. While time and patience are required, KAATSU can play an extremely convenient and effective role in post-natal recovery.

A lack of time and a lack of sleep are just two major obstacles to returning back to normal, both physiologically and emotionally.

KAATSU equipment can be used anytime and anywhere - and presents an entirely new paradigm for young mothers. KAATSU Air Bands can - and should - be used exclusively in the KAATSU Cycle mode while mothers are:

* regularly breastfeeding
* gently rocking their baby to sleep
* pushing their child in a stroller
* doing housework from folding clothes to tidying up
* preparing meals
* typing emails or text
* or simply playing with and watching the baby

The KAATSU Cycle mode's gentle, rhythmic, automated pressure on-pressure off on the arms or legs, even without movement, is exercise that specifically results in improved vascular tissue elasticity, underlying muscle tone, and skin tightness. Post-natal KAATSU does not have to be - and should not be - vigorous, difficult or time-consuming for the mother. No specific workout exercises need to be done to see results. Simple movement with KAATSU Air Bands on that mothers normally do with their child are sufficient.

The compression and decompression of the KAATSU Air Bands can be integrated into mother's normal lifestyle and schedule that effectively and efficiently produces results. KAATSU should not be seen as a workout, but simply a part of one's schedule, conveniently done 1-2 times per day.

The KAATSU Air Bands can be used as stand-alone tools to achieve the results that mothers want, but the KAATSU Cycle 2.0 can also be used in combination with other fitness equipment (e.g., treadmills) or movements, from ab vacuum repetitions to Pilates and different kinds of isometic exercises.

KAATSU can be used to relieve such hard-to-fix issues as diastasis recti that can lead to unstable anterior support that, in turn, creates back problems and sacroiliac joint dysfunction.

KAATSU even has a role in postpartum depression where insomnia and stress are encountered because KAATSU can help balance hormones and improve sleep.

And, of course, with mother and father trying to find a balance with their various responsibilities, spouses can workout very effectively with a minimum of time.






































While the KAATSU Cycle 2.0 with four KAATSU Air Bands and an online education program is US$899 + shipping costs, KAATSU Global offers a monthly payment plan (see here) that makes a purchase more affordable for many.

Some questions that mothers may ask include:

Q1. Does use of KAATSU make a difference between a vaginal birth versus a Cesarean delivery (C-section)?
A1. Mothers who have had either type can benefit from KAATSU Cycles. The systemic effect of KAATSU is incredibly powerful for healing for recovery from stitches or small connective tissue tears. The hormonal response is also extremely valuable on many levels.

Q2. How does use of KAATSU impact the mother's milk supply?
A2. Very well.

Q3. How does use of KAATSU affect new varicose veins? Will KAATSU make it worse?
A3. With an increased vascular elasticity, KAATSU will help improve the appearance of the vascular veins.

Q4. How often should or can KAATSU be used?
A4. At least daily is good. Twice per day, using arms first and legs second during each daily KAATSU session, is optimal for most mothers if time is available.

Q5. How intense does KAATSU have to be to get results?
A5. KAATSU Cycles should be done comfortably and easily. There is no need to workout intensely or move vigorously while doing KAATSU Cycles during this post-natal period. Intensity and complexity of movement can increased over time (e.g., post 6-8 weeks of birth).

Q6. Will KAATSU lead to immediate results? How long can visible result take?
A6. KAATSU starts to immediately impact the vascular elasticity of your capillaries, veins and arteries. The frequency of usage will impact how soon results will start to be experienced and seen. But generally within a few weeks (e.g., 14-28 KAATSU sessions), aesthetic results will be visible.

Copyright © 2014 - 2021 by KAATSU Global

Tuesday, February 9, 2021

A Radical New Plan For The Tokyo Olympic Games

For who? Olympic athletes
For what? COVID-19 pandemic






































In a metropolitan area of Tokyo with its population of 37.3 million people, over 11,000 athletes and thousands of officials, coaches, trainers, media representatives, and administrators from 207 countries around the world are expected to visit Tokyo for the rescheduled Tokyo Olympic Games between July 23rd to August 8th. The athletes from around the world will compete in 339 events in 33 different sports held in 33 different venues around the Tokyo area. The Paralympics, which is expected to attract over 4,300 athletes competing in 540 events in 22 sports, will follow between August 24th and September 5th.

Medical experts know that mixing of people from around the world serves to elevate risk and accelerate the probability of new COVID-19 variants emerging. It is expected that there will be 26,000 beds in the Olympic Village alone - plopped in the midst of one of the most densely populated cities in the world.

Today, the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee, and the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee published its first playbook that outlines the expected and recommended personal responsibilities that the athletes, team officials and the media (see here). The purpose and top priority of the Playbook is to maintain the health and safety of everyone at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

As can be expected in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, members of the Olympic Family are expected to social distance, minimize physical interaction with others, avoid indoors and crowds wherever possible, use Olympic transportation while avoiding use of public transportation, wear a face mask, frequently wash hands, clap don’t sing or cheer to support athletes, and they will require documentation with a negative COVID-19 test certificate before entering Japan.

These are all internationally supported and documented means and strategies to minimize the transmission and infection of the COVID-19 virus among the athletes and the population of Tokyo and beyond.

But these strategies and plans are based on the Olympics being held in its traditional 16-day format – where the world’s sporting community comes together all at once in a relatively small footprint in Tokyo,” observes Steven Munatones who served as a commentator for NBC at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in the inaugural 10 km marathon swim event. “In a pandemic, every sector of society has had to reevaluate its method of doing things. Manufacturing, operations, medicine, logistics, athletics, crowd control, government regulations, etc. Things are changing so quickly and so dramatically.

In the United States, the Super Bowl, the NBA season and playoffs, and the collegiate athletic season were all changed in some way. Some changes were small; other changes were significant. Honestly speaking, I wonder why the Tokyo Olympics does not become a long-running series of events. That is, as we ease out of this pandemic – slowly for sure – the world still thirsts for competition and the pageantry of the Olympics. So why not hold the Olympic and Paralympic Games over the course of several months – instead of 16 days?

The IOC and the various international governing bodies can hold their own Olympic Games in Tokyo on a weekly basis. Each sporting community can head their way to Tokyo and compete in the Olympic venues for Olympic medals on a weekly basis.

They can start with the smaller sports that lend themselves to social distancing – and end with the larger sports that require indoor venues. So, the Tokyo Olympics can start with sports like equestrian, archery, and beach volleyball, and end with basketball, boxing and team handball. Canoeing, cycling and sailing can happen somewhere in the middle.

Each of the Olympic sports can be highlighted each week, bringing in advertising dollars and television audiences to all the sports on a much larger basis. So instead of Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps dominating the news and airwaves over a 16-day period, many more athletes – who all bring incredible human interest stories to the table – can be showcased over a longer period of time. Imagine how the minor sports athletes could demonstrate their athletic prowess and depth of character to the world?

The coverage can be expanded in depth, in scope and in duration. Sponsors would love that. Television audiences would love it, even if the Olympics fell outside the traditional summer schedule and overlapped with other professional sports seasons.

Week by week, month by month, the IOC and the Olympic Family would remain on the minds and lips of fans and the world’s media. Ultimately, the overall global viewership and interest would result in a massive increase – I am positive of that.

And, of course, the Olympics with a vastly reduced number of athletes descending upon Tokyo and competing in a limited number of venues could be held in a safe, responsible manner – with minimal interruption into the daily lives of Tokyoites. With a reduced number of athletes, the possibility and threat of virus transmission would also be reduced. In one of the world’s most densely populated cities, this concern cannot be dismissed. As our knowledge and control over the pandemic gradually improves with time, the Olympic sports that require indoor facilities or that draw large crowds – like track and gymnastics – can be held.

Even the Opening Ceremonies could be undertaken with a different scale and purpose. Imagine an Opening Ceremonies held every two weeks with a slightly different focus and theme? Only the athletes who were competing that week would participate and the overall cost could come down. The Japanese with all their talent and ingenuity could not only pull that new kind of Olympics and Opening Ceremonies off, but they could also make a series of Opening Ceremonies that continues to entertain and impress the world’s community over a period of months – instead of a one-shot deal as there is now.

The rest of society has reshaped itself. Now is a perfect time and ideal opportunity to rethink and reshape and restart the traditional Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Benjamin Franklin once said, ‘Out of adversity comes opportunity.’ That statement seems to make a lot of sense now with the pandemic and the Olympic Games.

Of course, if this expanding and drawn-out rescheduling of the Tokyo Summer Olympic Games runs into the fixed schedule of the 2022 Beijing Winter Games, the Summer Games can take a hiatus and allow the Olympic focus to exclusively showcase Beijing in February 2022.

A rethinking is in order that can set the Olympic stage for the rest of the 21st century
.”

Copyright © 2014 – 2021 by KAATSU Global

Friday, February 5, 2021

KAATSU Beauty - KAATSU Cycling During Facials

For who? Aesthetician, women, mothers
For what? KAATSU Beauty, skin care, skin beauty



KAATSU Beauty, the original BFR, has been used by skin care professionals, aestheticians, and make-up artists for decades in Japan.

And the specialty application of KAATSU Beauty is now catching on in Southern California.

These KAATSU Beauty specialists - from Tokyo to Newport Beach - cater to both young women and older women and understand how increased blood flow in their clients' skin and face helps them on a number of wellness and cosmetic perspectives.

In 2006, researchers from the University of Tokyo and the Tokyo Metropolitan University studied what was anecdotally known by the KAATSU Beauty market. They published a formal study project titled, Effect of knee extension exercise with KAATSU on forehead cutaneous blood flow in healthy young and middle-aged women.

In this study of women (average age 34.5 years), they concluded that the cutaneous blood circulation (circulation and blood supply of the skin) in the foreheads of test subjects were improved with unloaded unilateral knee extension exercises (i.e., 3 sets of 15 repetitions taking less than 75 seconds per set with a single KAATSU Air Band on their left upper leg without weights or resistance).

The women performed the three-set series of exercises twice - for the first time, they did it without KAATSU, and for the second time with KAATSU with the KAATSU Air Band inflated initially to 140 SKU and ending eventually at 200 SKU.

The blood flow in the foreheads of women was calculated from the blood velocity and red blood cell mass that was determined by laser blood flowmetry.

This conclusion of how blood circulation in a KAATSU user's forehead is improved with relatively easy leg exercises that focus on the quadriceps and hamstrings seems either impossible or illogical.

While the KAATSU users experienced no changes in blood lactate and hematocrit (i.e., volume percentage of red blood cells in blood), their norepinephrine levels increased. Norepinephrine is a naturally occurring chemical that acts as a stress hormone because the brain perceives that a stressful event has occurred.

This natural biohack created by the KAATSU leg exercises helps improve the subjects' forehead cutaneous blood flow. The beauty care experts and aestheticians in Japan and Southern California know that if KAATSU lower body exercises helps improve circulation and blood supply of the skin of the face, then KAATSU upper body exercises also do the same.

In the video above, the aesthetician was simultaneously doing the KAATSU Cycle mode while treating her client who was also using the KAATSU Cycle mode. Both were using the KAATSU 2.0 device and the KAATSU Air Bands on their arms.



You can read the full study shown below or click through here.

Copyright © 2014 - 2021 by KAATSU Global

KAATSU Fitness, Another Day At The Beach

For who? White collar employees, mothers
For what? Fitness, wellness, functional movement, stress relief



For those users who have totally integrated KAATSU into their lifestyle are likely to "workout" while doing things they either like doing (e.g., flying a kite or spinning at home) or things they do on a regular basis (e.g., folding clothes or blow drying your hair).

KAATSU Fitness presents a radically different exercise and recovery paradigm for teenagers and young adults as well as for working parents, busy executives, and aging Baby Boomers. KAATSU enables anyone to exercise and rehabilitation anywhere anytime, especially important these times during a pandemic with lockdowns, stay-at-home mandates and quarantines.

Copyright © 2014 - 2021 by KAATSU Global

Thursday, February 4, 2021

KAATSU Fitness: Feeling Strong And Having Fun

For who? Working adults
For what? Fitness, wellness, stress relief, recovery



When BFR (Blood Flow Restriction) is viewed online, the images show many very fit, very strong, rather young people looking ripped. But a vast majority of KAATSU the Original BFR users are older people, including a majority of aging Baby Boomers who are not necessarily ripped, but interested in becoming more fit and reducing the pains and discomfort of their joints, back, neck and hips.

So while High Intensity Interval Training and resistance training (weightlifting) can be done with KAATSU equipment, it is much more highly recommended to simply move.

KAATSU Fitness spans all kinds of outdoor activities:
* Walk on the beach
* walk with your dog
* have fun with your friends
* do yoga
* fly a kite
* wash your car

With KAATSU Air Bands on in the KAATSU Cycle mode, a simple activity like walking or playing around will generate the metabolic equivalent of a moderate or higher intensity workout.

The easy to moderate movements with KAATSU equipment in the KAATSU Cycle mode will help overall fitness while being convenient to use and much more sustainable over a lifetime instead of intermittedly doing high intensity periods of training - and then quitting over time.

Copyright © 2014 - 2021 by KAATSU Global

KAATSU Fitness, Fun In The Sun

For who? Working adults, Baby Boomers
For what? Recovery, stress relief

KAATSU equipment can be incorporated in your movements while you are having fun on the beach, in a park, up in the mountains, on a playground or on the driving range. You can be playing miniature golf, gardening, doing arts & crafts, fishing, painting, sewing, or playing cards, there isn't an activity that does not have a potential for integrating KAATSU Fitness.

Ideally, you can use the KAATSU Cycle mode, but you can also use the KAATSU Constant mode to enjoy yourself while simultaneously getting in a great workout.




























































































































































































































































































































































































Copyright © 2014 - 2021 by KAATSU Global

KAATSU Jump Rope

For who? Competitive athletes
For what? Stamina, functional movement, mobility



While most people are attracted to BFR (Blood Flow Restriction) equipment due to its potential to develop muscle, KAATSU offers much more than a focus on muscle tone and muscle growth.

KAATSU presents a radically different paradigm for teenagers and young adults as well as for working parents, busy executives, and aging Baby Boomers. KAATSU enables anyone to exercise and rehabilitation anywhere anytime, including using KAATSU with jump ropes and all kinds of recreational equipment.

Whether you fold clothes or type emails, or jump rope, with KAATSU Air Bands on doing either the KAATSU Cycle or KAATSU Constant mode, you will get a great workout.

Copyright © 2014 - 2020 by KAATSU Global

KAATSU Fitness Walking, Increasing Strength and Stamina

For who? Working adults, mothers, retirees
For what? Strength, stamina, functional movement, balance, KAATSU Walking



The most common use of KAATSU equipment is during simple walking. KAATSU users put on their leg bands and simply do KAATSU Walking after a meal, while walking around the neighborhood or walking the dog. Either the KAATSU Cycle mode or the KAATSU Constant mode can be used, but you can walk longer in the KAATSU Cycle mode while the KAATSU Constant mode should be limited to 20 minutes.

Over 10 years ago, academic researchers from Japan confirmed what KAATSU Specialists have long known: that low-intensity exercise with KAATSU Air Bands leads to muscle growth and strength gains.*

Many researchers between 2000 - 2005 tested KAATSU Walking with MRI-measured muscle size and strength (maximum dynamic or one repetition maximum) and isometric strength along with blood hormonal parameters. Testing was done on both control groups and experimental groups of subjects ranging from young men to older women.

The testing was done using 20-minute bouts of treadmill speed of 50 meters per minute. The researchers found a multitude of benefits and changes among the experimental KAATSU users while there was no change in muscle size and dynamic and isometric strength in the control group..

1. Serum growth hormone was elevated after KAATSU Walking with the experimental group, but not with the non-KAATSU control group.
2. MRI-measured thigh muscle cross-sectional area and muscle volume increased by 4 - 7%.
3. One repetition maximum and maximum isometric strength increased between 8 - 10%

Furthermore, indicators of muscle damage (creatine kinase and myoglobin) and resting anabolic hormones did not change with both groups. The researchers concluded that KAATSU Walking induces muscle hypertrophy and strength gain despite the minimum level of exercise intensity after 3 weeks, and that KAATSU Walking may be a potentially useful method for promoting muscle hypertrophy for a wide range of the population including the frail and elderly.

While these benefits have long been known in Japan, there have been many other applications that have since been developed and researched that address age-related skeletal muscle loss (sarcopenia) that inhibits mobility and increases the risk of developing several diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis and heart disease.

As the implications of KAATSU protocols began to be appreciated by the United States military, researchers like Dr. William Ursprung at Texas A&M University studied the effects of KAATSU Walking to improve aerobic capacity. Dr. Ursprung evaluated the effects of KAATSU Walking on VO2max, 1.5 mile run times, and muscular size at low training volumes and intensities with airman from the U.S. Air Force 350th Special Operations and Tactics Training Squadron.






























After three weeks of KAATSU Walking, the test found significant improvements in VO2max, significant decreases in 1.5-mile run time, and significant increases in thigh muscle cross sectional area and the researchers concluded that KAATSU Walking represents a methodology for improving aerobic capacity, endurance and muscular size at low training volumes and intensities.

This conclusion mirrored the applications for KAATSU that many far forward-thinking coaches and trainers have known and used. For military personnel and athletes who are looking for concurrent improvements in strength and endurance, they do not always have to move, run, swim, cycle or row at maximum intensity if they strategically use KAATSU equipment.

While movement or exercises with KAATSU equipment performed with intensity will result in significant physiological and athletic improvement, it is always unnecessary.

"As long as their technique and athletic form is correct, athletes and military personnel can realize benefits with KAATSU by moving more slowly (i.e., walking versus running or swimming at a moderate pace versus swimming at maximum speed) rather than always going all-out," explains Steven Munatones. "Perhaps this lowered intensity is appropriate after injuries or immediately after a competition or during a taper phase of training. Perhaps this slower pace or raw speed is simply more appropriate during different parts of any specific workout when an athlete is working on their technique or form."

This phenomena means that the implications and applications of KAATSU usage expands significantly. When benefits and improvements can be achieved at any speed, pace or level of intensity, coaches and athletes can be much more flexible and creative in their training decisions.

For example, instead of only going all-out sprints with KAATSU, runners, cyclists, swimmers, rowers and skiers can practice at more moderate pace - which means that KAATSU can be done more frequently and with less resultant fatigue.

* Muscle size and strength are increased following walk training with restricted venous blood flow from the leg muscle, Kaatsu-walk training by Professor Abe and Professor Kearns of Tokyo Metropolitan University and Professor Sato of the University of Tokyo.

** The Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on VO2Max and 1.5 Mile Run Performance by William Ursprung, published in the International Journal of Exercise Science.

Copyright © 2014 - 2021 by KAATSU Global