Monday, May 31, 2021

Swimming To Optimize Your Brain Function And Health

For who? Competitive athletes, Baby Boomers, swimmers
For what? Strength, stamina, functional movement, cognitive function






























































Ryan Glatt, MS, CPT, NBHWC is a psychometrist and a Brain Health Coach at the Brain Health Center in the Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, California.

The Pacific Neuroscience Institute focuses on care of patients with a spectrum of neurological and cranial disorders including brain tumors, skull base tumors, pituitary tumors, spine health, stroke and related neurovascular diseases, adult hydrocephalus, vision and hearing disorders, facial pain and paralysis syndromes, movement disorders as well as sinonasal tumors and related disorders. Additionally the brain health team cares for a wide spectrum of behavioral and cognitive disorder as well as autoimmune and neuroinflammatory disease such as Multiple Sclerosis.

Glatt talks about three types of exercise that optimize brain's function and health, and how to incorporate them into your day-to-day lifestyle in a Genius Life podcast with Max Lugavere, a television personality, health and wellness writer, science journalist, and New York Times best-selling author of Genius Foods.

Types of Exercises
* aerobic exercise
* resistance training
* skill-based training (or skillful exercise and neuromotive training)

Swimming is multi-modal. Swimming concurrently enables three types of exercise. Doing all four strokes in a pool in a standard (and innovative*) interval training workout comprises of aerobic exercise, resistance training, and skill-based training.

Aerobic Exercise
Swimming all four strokes in a pool in a standard interval training workout leads to increased heart rate and respiration rate.

Resistance Exercise
While most people do not think of swimming as resistance exercise, it clearly is. The arm movement while doing butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle involves not only pulling (in the front half of the arm strokes in all four swimming styles), but also pushing (in the last half of the arm strokes in all four swimming styles) for the upper body and core muscles.

The long-axis swimming strokes (i.e., backstroke and freestyle) and the short-axis swimming strokes (i.e., butterfly and breaststroke) work on different muscles in different ways. But, in general, the first part of the swimming strokes is a pulling action that primarily works the backs and biceps. The second part of the swimming strokes is a pushing action that primarily works the chest, shoulders and triceps.

By utilizing hand paddles, parachutes, fins, snorkels, and KAATSU Aqua Bands, the outcomes and results in the resistance realm become even greater.



Similarly, the leg and core muscles are worked differently in the long-axis and short-axis strokes. The legs either move up and down against the resistance of the water (in butterfly, backstroke, freestyle) or up and back (in breaststroke).

The quadriceps, hamstrings, calves and abdominals are used concurrently while the upper body is used. The lower body gets a focused, intense bout of exercise before and during turns at the walls of a swimming pool.

Skill-based Training
Thinking about how to swim in a more balanced and streamlined manner is a cognitive exercise as is maintaining different paces at different intervals also requires thought.

Additionally, focusing on faster turns (with increased underwater propulsion) and transitioning between butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle at fixed intervals, or progressing faster intervals, or in negative split swims also requires thought.

For the ultimate in cognitive effort, doing intervals based on prime numbers is challenging. That is, instead of doing 10x100@1:30, swimmers can do 7x100@1:27.

KAATSU
By adding KAATSU Aqua to a swimming workout, the ability to achieve Glatt's advice becomes more effective and efficient.

Copyright © 2014 - 2021 by KAATSU Global

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Robert Heiduk On Ultimate Athlete Concepts: Cut The Check Podcast

For who? Competitive athletes, Baby Boomers, retirees, masters athletes, corporate executives
For what? Strength, recovery, functional movement, mobility, balance


























Ultimate Athlete Concepts: Cut The Check Podcast featured KAATSU Master Specialist Robert Heiduk in its January 2021 podcast.

Heiduk is a German sports scientist and product scout for cutting-edge sports technology. For more than a decade, he has been active in education of coaches and in health consulting for companies like Google or PPG Industries. He has lectured internationally and wrote the book KAATSU - Das Druck-Training aus Japan: Neue Perspektiven in Sport, Therapie und Gesundheitsförderung that was also published in English as KAATSU - The Pressure Training from Japan.

Heiduk's motto is 'Whoever wants to go to the source must swim against the current'. He is shown above doing a KAATSU session with the world champion German bobsled team.

Listen to Heiduk's 42-minute podcast covering all things KAATSU the Original BFR on Ultimate Athlete Concepts here.

Copyright © 2014 - 2021 by KAATSU Global

Sunday, May 23, 2021

Always Start Conservatively With KAATSU

For who? Baby Boomers, retirees, masters athletes, corporate executives
For what? Strength, recovery, functional movement, mobility, balance


























When you first start KAATSU, it is extremely important and a KAATSU Golden Rule to start very gently, conservatively and slowly.

This guideline is especially true if you have any adverse medical or physiological conditions, are older than 50 years old, are sedentary or de-conditioned. This is true even if you think you are fit and can withstand great physical challenges.

The standard recommended build-up protocols when starting KAATSU, especially with older individuals, are as follows:

• In order to build up to 5-6 KAATSU Cycles in one session, build-up slowly and gradually:
• Do only 1 KAATSU Cycle in your 1st session in the first week.
• You can do 2 KAATSU Cycles in your 2nd session in the second week.
• You can do 3 KAATSU Cycles in your 3rd session in the third week.
• You can do 4 KAATSU Cycles in your 4th session in the fourth week.
• You can do 5 KAATSU Cycles in your 5th session in the fifth week.
• You can do 6 KAATSU Cycles in your 6th session in the sixth week.





































In Chapter 7 of the online KAATSU Education Program, the Standard Do’s and Don’ts of KAATSU are listed:

KAATSU can be prudently and safely incorporated into your training, rehabilitation, and recovery regimens - without performing at maximal pressure levels.

Do’s
• Always hydrate well before, during and after each KAATSU session.
• Always first use the KAATSU Cycle Mode before using the KAATSU Constant (Training) Mode.
• Always breathe throughout your KAATSU exercises. Consciously count your repetitions quietly to yourself or out loud so you do not hold your breath while doing KAATSU.
• Always place the KAATSU Air Bands at the correct location on your upper and lower limbs.
• Always confirm your KAATSU Air Bands are high enough to engorge your limbs in blood and create a pink or red color to your skin in your arms and legs. You can get distended veins, but the band pressure should not be so high to occlude your blood flow to your limbs.
• Always wear your KAATSU Air Bands over clothing (e.g., t-shirts, shirts, tights, pants, shorts).
• Always frequently check your Capillary Refill Time (CRT) throughout the KAATSU session.
• Always confirm your CRT is always less than 3 seconds in duration.
• Always release your KAATSU Air Bands if you feel something is not right or unusually uncomfortable. If you feel lightheaded or if you have an unusual pain on one side or the other, immediately stop and take off your KAATSU Air Bands.
• You can perform different exercises during your KAATSU session while doing KAATSU Cycles as you see fit.
• Use the KAATSU Cycle and the KAATSU 3-point Exercises or stretch to warm-up and to help determine the optimal SKU pressure or as a form of basic exercise for both your arms and legs.
• The veins in your limbs may become distended (i.e., pop out) and you may feel a slight tingling in your fingers or toes during the KAATSU Constant mode.
• If you experience occlusion, numbness, or any kind of lightheadedness with the KAATSU Air Bands, immediately remove the bands from your limbs. • Always check with your physician before starting a KAATSU regimen.
• Always start slowly and conservatively with KAATSU.

Don’ts
• Do not use when dehydrated or intoxicated or after or while drinking alcohol or taking medications or illegal drugs including any performance enhancing drugs.
• Do not use while driving a vehicle.
• Do not use while underwater or while holding your breath.
• Do not use while using a vibration plate or doing anything (e.g., treadmill, Bosu Balls) that you cause you to lose your balance.
• Do not fall asleep while the KAATSU Air Bands are on your arms or legs.
• Do not use if you feel pain during use.
• Do not ever partly or fully occlude your blood flow. Signs of this occlusion are collapsed veins, no pulse at your wrists, pale palms of your hand, pale or blue skin color, or severely delayed (>6 seconds) capillary refill time.
• Do not train in the KAATSU Constant mode (i.e., sustained pressure with the inflated bands) for more than 10 minutes on either your arms or your legs.
• Do not use more than 6 consecutive KAATSU Cycles in a row; always build up to 6 consecutive KAATSU Cycles and never exceed this number.
• Do not simultaneously use the KAATSU Air Bands on both your arms and legs.
• Do not lift heavy weights or heavy resistance when using the KAATSU Constant mode.
• Do not use the KAATSU Constant mode if you are older than 50, de-conditioned, overweight, tend to faint, or have White Coat Syndrome.
• Do not use the KAATSU Constant mode if you are training at altitude; only use the KAATSU Cycle mode.
• Stop KAATSU immediately if your limbs become clammy, cold, white, or pale. That physiological response may be due to occlusion of your arterial blood flow, use with heavy weights, or use with sustained vigorous activities - especially at high altitudes.
• Do not place the KAATSU Air Bands on your body other than on your upper arms or upper legs.
• Do not do KAATSU if you are pregnant, under medical treatment, have cancer, hypertension, fractures, muscle ruptures, or any acute diseases without the prior approval of your physician.
• Do not do KAATSU if you are undergoing cardiac rehabilitation or have a pacemaker.
• Do not do KAATSU if you have any of the following conditions: atrial fibrillation, acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina, ventricular tachycardia or severe arrhythmia, serious case of cardiac insufficiency (NYHA class IV), serious aortic stenosis, acute pulmonary embolism or lung infarction, acute myocarditis or pericarditis, acute vena cava dissociation, or macular degeneration.
• If you have peripheral vascular disease, Raynaud’s disease, heart disease or low blood pressure, it is essential to only use very low (conservative) pressure in the KAATSU Cycle mode.
• People with Raynaud’s disease can feel discomfort or even pain if they use high pressures on the KAATSU Air Bands. Because the capillaries are engorged in blood, this impacts the nervous system – which should be avoided for people with Raynaud’s disease.
• Do not use if you are under 14 years old. This recommendation is due to a small number of overly ambitious adults who push children too much or too long with KAATSU.
• Do not open the device and attempt to change or repair the device yourself.

Key Points When Doing KAATSU
• Always remain well hydrated before and during the entire KAATSU session.
• Always start each KAATSU session with the KAATSU Cycle. The KAATSU Cycle include 8 steps of 30 seconds pressure on followed by 5 seconds of no pressure. Each step has sequentially increasing pressure.
• First, start KAATSU on your arms and then do KAATSU on your legs.
• Never simultaneously put on or use the KAATSU Air Bands on your arms and legs.
• Always and frequently check the Capillary Refill Time on the exercising limb is within 3 seconds. Confirm that the color of the limbs remains either pink or beefy red.
• Your veins may become distended (i.e., pop out) during KAATSU.
• You may feel a slight tingling in your fingers or toes during KAATSU. This feeling is acceptable.
• Always immediately stop KAATSU and remove the KAATSU Air Bands if there is any occlusion, numbness, or paleness (i.e., whiteness, grayness, or blueness) in your limbs.
• Always immediately stop KAATSU and remove the KAATSU Air Bands if you experience any lightheadedness. Lie down with your legs elevated if necessary.
• If undergoing rehabilitation from an injury or surgery, never push your joints or your limbs to or pass the point of pain. • Do not exceed 15 minutes of KAATSU on your arms or legs.
• Keep your rest short between your sets and between exercises. Rest 20 seconds maximum between sets or 60 seconds maximum between exercises. This can be modified as necessary.
• Select exercises, movements or loads that allow slow and steady performance of a good number of repetitions (e.g., 30-40 in first set, 20-30 in the second set, >15 in the third set).
• Do 3-4 sets of each exercise and then continue with a different exercise. If only one limb is being exercised at a time, first do 3-4 sets on that limb and then proceed with 3-4 sets on the other limb.
• Reach maximum effort (or go to muscular or technical failure) within each set if you want to build muscular strength or increase muscle tone or size.
• KAATSU should be implemented with the understanding of your physician or physical therapist. KAATSU can be incorporated with your physical therapy routine.
• KAATSU can be performed with most kinds of exercise equipment.
• Conduct movements slowly, steadily and with good range of motion unless you are performing a specific athletic movement (e.g., swinging a golf club, swinging a bat, throwing a ball, cycling, swimming, practicing race starts or jumps). In these cases of athletic movements, move at the speed in which you want to perform.
• Try to reach muscular failure or technical failure during each set of each exercise.
• The dual combination of Base SKU pressure and Optimal SKU pressure is a critical element of KAATSU. The Base SKU pressure is the manual tightening of your KAATSU Air Bands. The Optimal SKU is the inflated pressure of your inflated KAATSU Air Bands. If the Base SKU is low, the Optimal SKU will be higher. Conversely, if the Base SKU is high, the Optimal SKU will be lower. The Base SKU (i.e., manually tightened KAATSU Air Bands) in combination with Optimal SKU (i.e., inflated KAATSU Air Bands) is critically important to set the pressures necessary to achieve maximum benefits from KAATSU.
• KAATSU Air Band placement is critically important. The KAATSU Air Bands can only be used in two locations: above your biceps and triceps, but below your deltoids near your armpit on your arms, and above your quadriceps and hamstrings near your groin on your legs.
• Muscle contraction in your limbs temporarily squeezes venous blood past the KAATSU Air Band on your limbs.
• KAATSU is the original BFR (blood flow restriction), but KAATSU is not Occlusion Training or Tourniquet Training.
• Occlusion Training or Tourniquet Training is a type of training where blood is reduced or restricted going from your torso to your limbs. This is not KAATSU. • The term "occlusion" implies that the blood flow is restricted or stopped from going from your torso to your limbs.
• In contrast, the interaction of the blood flow both in and out of your limbs during the KAATSU Cycle and KAATSU Constant modes is vitally important to realize the benefits, safety, and efficacy of KAATSU.
• KAATSU is a means to safely moderate blood circulation both in and out of your limbs. KAATSU slows the venous outflow that leads to backing up and engorging your limbs in blood. This is why the KAATSU Cycle is important; the vascular system must be warmed up first before starting KAATSU Constant.
• If you want to build strength or improve muscular size and tone, do sets of each KAATSU to either muscular or technical failure. If the Optimal SKU is set correctly, the duration (or repetitions) of each set will be reduced. That is, if set #1 is 1 minute in duration (or 30-40 repetitions), then rest for a maximum of 20 seconds and continue with set #2. You should reach your muscular or technical failure before 1 minute or 30-40 repetitions in Set #2. Rest should be no more than 20 seconds before set #3 begins. In set #3, you should reach your muscular or technical failure in a shorter time duration or fewer repetitions in Set #2.
• The veins in your limbs may become distended (i.e., pop out) during the KAATSU Constant mode.
• You may feel a slight tingling in your fingers or toes during the KAATSU Constant mode. This is acceptable, but KAATSU should be immediately stopped if there is any occlusion, lightheadedness, or numbness or whiteness in your limbs.
• KAATSU should be implemented with the understanding of your physician.
• Wait at least 72 hours after a surgery to start KAATSU with the approval of your physician.

Conservatively Start KAATSU
• Always start slowly and conservatively with KAATSU, especially if you have any adverse medical or physiological conditions, are older than 50 years old, or are sedentary or de-conditioned.
• In order to build up to 5-6 KAATSU Cycles in one session, adhere to the following protocols especially if you have any adverse medical or physiological conditions, are older than 50 years old, or are sedentary or de-conditioned.
>> Do only 1 KAATSU Cycle in your 1st session in the first week.
>> You can do 2 KAATSU Cycles in your 2nd session in the second week.
>> You can do 3 KAATSU Cycles in your 3rd session in the third week.
>> You can do 4 KAATSU Cycles in your 4th session in the fourth week.
>> You can do 5 KAATSU Cycles in your 5th session in the fifth week.
>> You can do 6 KAATSU Cycles in your 6th session in the sixth week.

Seek Medical Advice Before Starting KAATSU
• It is important to seek advice from your physician before starting KAATSU.
• Do not do KAATSU if you are under 14 years old, under 18 years old without adult supervision, pregnant, under medical treatment, have cancer, hypertension, fractures, muscle ruptures, undergoing cardiac rehabilitation, have a pacemaker, heart disease, atrial fibrillation, acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina, ventricular tachycardia or severe arrhythmia, serious case of cardiac insufficiency (NYHA class IV), serious aortic stenosis, acute pulmonary embolism or lung infarction, acute myocarditis or pericarditis, acute vena cava dissociation, macular degeneration, or any acute diseases without the prior approval of your physician.
• If you have peripheral vascular disease, Raynaud’s disease, multiple sclerosis or low blood pressure, it is essential to only use very low (conservative) pressure in the KAATSU Cycle mode.
• People with Raynaud’s disease or multiple sclerosis can feel discomfort or even pain if they use high pressures on the KAATSU Air Bands.
• These protocols have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease and its use should be evaluated by your own physician before use.

Copyright © 2014 - 2021 by KAATSU Global

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Rocking And Recovery With Robert, Heading To The Tokyo Paralympics

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. 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.

Note: Griswold, Matt Torres and Jamal Hill are among the American Paralympic athletes who will use KAATSU at the Tokyo Paralympic Games.

Copyright © 2014 - 2021 by KAATSU Global

Monday, May 17, 2021

Improving Sleep Quality With The KAATSU Cycle

For who? Baby Boomers, retirees, student-athletes, competitive athletes
For what? quality sleep, insomnia, jet lag, recovery

Antonio ArgĂĽelles is a two-time Guinness World Record holder and the oldest man to achieve the Oceans Seven.

Oceans Seven is the swimming world's equivalent of the Seven Summits or the solo crossing of seven major iconic channels around the world:

* English Channel between England and France
* Strait of Gibraltar between Spain and Morocco
* North Channel between Scotland and Northern Ireland
*Molokai Channel between Molokai and Oahu in Hawaii
* Catalina Channel between Catalina Island and Los Angeles, California
* Cook Strait between North Island and South Island in New Zealand
* Tsugaru Channel between Hokkaido and Honshu in Japan.

ArgĂĽelles, a 62-year-old entrepreneur, author and speaker from Mexico City, not only uses KAATSU Cycle sets to help him recover from his intense and lengthy workouts, but also to enhance his sleep. The repeated, gentle, temporarily brief, progressively incremental inflation of the KAATSU AirBands - followed by 5-second breaks of deflation in the AirBands - while you sit comfortably or maintain a relaxed position without doing exercise - serves as a catalyst to activate your parasympathic nervous system.

You can gently stretch your upper body or do neck rotations at the KAATSU AirBands repeatedly inflate and deflate. This helps relax the vascular tissue in your neck and upper body, further relaxing you.

Additionally, the temporary engorgement of blood in your surface capillaries slightly warms up your arms. When you remove the AirBands from your arms, then your body starts to cool down - another trigger for sleep.

ArgĂĽelles explains his data that is regularly generated by his WHOOP device. "Over the last four days, I have slept almost the same amount of time between 4.5 hours and 5 hours. But I lent my KAATSU device [to a friend] for three days - that non-use correlates to the red data. But I received my KAATSU equipment back yesterday. You can see my usual outstanding results in yellow."

KAATSU users like ArgĂĽelles and those who travel frequently use their KAATSU equipment with the following standard KAATSU protocols to reduce the effects of jet lag, battle insomnia, and improve their quality of sleep. These are the important points regarding KAATSU use before, during and after airplane travel - or about an hour before going to bed in the case of dealing with insomnia - or seeking improved sleep:

Key Points:
›› Be very well-hydrated before doing KAATSU Cycles in the airplane or before takeoff at the airport or within an hour of going to bed in order to help reduce your jet lag.
›› Do KAATSU Cycles in your hotel room (or home) before going to bed on your first few evenings in your new location or on your return back home.
›› Always focus on doing KAATSU Cycles, starting in the lowest pressures. You may gradually increase if you wish, but it is not necessary.

›› Be conservative with your pressure. The effects will still be evident despite a lower-than-normal pressure.
›› There is no need to go to failure with these Sleep Quality protocols; the goal is to become relaxed and get your parasympathetic nervous system activated.
›› Always follow the standard KAATSU safety protocols (e.g., always have Capillary Refill Time faster than 2- 3 seconds with absolutely no occlusion. You should experience absolutely no numbness in your feet or legs, and see a deeper (pinker or redder) skin color than normal in your limbs. You may also see some slight or pronounced vein distention (i.e., your veins pop out slightly).
›› Ideally, do your KAATSU Cycles before you board the airplane or before going to bed when you return home.
›› Never do the KAATSU Constant mode while flying.
›› Use the arm bands for the optimal effect, but you can also subsequently use the leg bands to complete the entire insomnia protocol.

Upper Body Jet Lag or Insomnia Movements:
1. Place the KAATSU Air Bands on your upper arms.
2. Do 2-4 KAATSU Cycles, ideally within 30-60 minutes of boarding the airplane.
3. You can do all or any the following KAATSU exercises while sitting in your seat during flight:
* Forward Shoulder Rolls
* Backward Shoulder Rolls
* Head Rotations
* Tricep Muscle Stretches
* Deltoid Muscle Stretches
* Arm Rest Press Downs
* Isometric Contractions
4. Do 20-30 Forward Shoulder Rolls in a steady motion while your KAATSU Air Bands are inflated in the KAATSU Cycle mode. Breathe deeply. Relax while your KAATSU Air Bands are deflated. Repeat as desired.
5. Do 20-30 Backward Shoulder Rolls in a steady motion while your KAATSU Air Bands are inflated in the KAATSU Cycle mode. Breathe deeply. Relax while your KAATSU Air Bands are deflated. Repeat as desired.
6. Slowly roll the head forwards and backwards. Then slowly roll your head to the left and then to the right. Then slowly roll your head in a clockwise direction and then in a counterclockwise direction while your KAATSU Air Bands are inflated in the KAATSU Cycle mode. Breathe deeply. Relax while the KAATSU Air Bands are deflated in the KAATSU Cycle mode.
Note: Skip this exercise if rolling your head forwards, backwards, left, right, clockwise or counterclockwise causes dizziness.
7. Stretch your triceps muscles on your left and right arms while your KAATSU Air Bands are inflated in the KAATSU Cycle mode. Breathe deeply. Relax while the KAATSU Air Bands are deflated in the KAATSU Cycle mode.
8. Stretch your deltoid muscles on left and right shoulders while your KAATSU Air Bands are inflated in the KAATSU Cycle mode. Breathe deeply. Relax while the KAATSU Air Bands are deflated in the KAATSU Cycle mode.
9. Do isometric exercises like placing both hands on your arm rests and press down for a few seconds while contracting your muscles. Rest and relax, then repeat.
10. Place the palms of your hands together and push your hands together for a few seconds. Then, rest, relax and repeat.
11. Grasp the fingers of your hands and pull your hands apart for a few seconds. Then rest, relax and repeat.
12. Stretch your upper body or torso as you desire and are able.

Lower Body Jet Lag or Insomnia Movements:
Note: Doing KAATSU on your legs is much easier in a business or first class seat and most difficult - or frankly impossible - while in the middle seat in economy class.
1. Place the KAATSU Air Bands on your upper legs.
2. Do 2-4 KAATSU Cycles, ideally within 30-60 minutes of boarding the airplane.
3. You can do all or any the following KAATSU exercises while sitting in your seat during flight:
* Heel Raises
* Leg Extensions
* Inward Leg Squeezes
* Outward Leg Squeezes
* Isometric Contractions
4. Slowly do 10-20 Heel Raises in a steady motion while your KAATSU Air Bands are inflated in the KAATSU Cycle mode. Breathe deeply. Relax while your KAATSU Air Bands are deflated. Repeat as desired.
5. Slowly do 10-15 Leg Extensions in a steady motion while your KAATSU Air Bands are inflated in the KAATSU Cycle mode. Breathe deeply. Relax while your KAATSU Air Bands are deflated. Repeat as desired.
6. Place your hands on your inner thighs and slowly push outwards as you push your legs inwards against the force of your hands while the KAATSU Air Bands are inflated in the KAATSU Cycle mode. Breathe deeply. Relax while the KAATSU Air Bands are deflated. Repeat the Inward Leg Squeezes as desired.
7. Place your hands on your outer thighs and slowly push inwards as you push your legs outwards against the force of your hands while the KAATSU Air Bands are inflated in the KAATSU Cycle mode. Breathe deeply. Relax while the KAATSU Air Bands are deflated. Repeat the Outward Leg Squeezes as desired.
8. Repeatedly contract and then relax your upper leg muscles (quadriceps and hamstrings) while the KAATSU Air Bands are inflated in the KAATSU Cycle mode.

A few of these insomnia movements are demonstrated below - that can also be used in the office when you are under stress. These same movementss - while the KAATSU Cycle is running - can be easily and conveniently done in the airport, airport lounge or at your office or home. They work to relieve stress, induce sleep and improve sleep quality, and get some increased blood circulation during the day when you are sitting and being sedentary all day long.



Copyright © 2014 - 2021 by KAATSU Global

Sunday, May 9, 2021

Conservative, Gradual, Progressive KAATSU Cycles Are Key

For who? Baby Boomers, retirees, military veterans, de-conditioned individuals
For what? muscle tone, stamina, strength, mobility

When people first hear about BFR (Blood Flow Restriction), they often search on the Internet to learn more.

They usually and quickly find a plethora of photos and videos of fit, active handsome young men and attractive women who use a wide variety of modified blood pressure cuffs and occlusion bands. The websites and videos most likely tout effective muscle growth and a variety of healthful benefits, primarily based on the initial groundbreaking studies of Dr. Yoshiaki Sato of Japan.

While young fit users are often shown on the Internet using weights and doing strenous exercises and completing intense workouts with these modified blood pressure cuffs, KAATSU equipment and KAATSU protocols are significantly different.

One of the most beneficial and profoundly useful modes with the KAATSU the Original BFR is the KAATSU Cycle application among busy executives, retirees and older individuals.

In fact, KAATSU equipment and protocols were primarily designed and engineered to be used by older individuals and those who may be sedentary and de-conditioned as well as those who are young, fit and active.

For those who are new to KAATSU or who lead sedenary lives or who are older or de-conditioned, the introduction and utilization of KAATSU should be conservative, gradual, and progressive.

Even in the KAATSU Cycle mode (i.e., 30-second bouts of incrementally higher compression followed by 5 seconds of a total decompression), there is a minimal level of compression on the vascular system while the KAATSU Air Bands are on. So, metabolically speaking, the body is under a healthful impact. Ideally, the KAATSU equipment is used once per week during Week One, utilizing only 1-2 KAATSU Cycle sets (about 5-10 minutes maximum using the lowest KAATSU Cycle pressure). The first application with the KAATSU equipment should feel easy and comfortable. That is, there is no need to push oneself and go beyond what your body can handle.

If your body tolerates the initial session, then KAATSU can be used twice per week during Week Two. If your body can handle the two times per week routine, then you can increase to three times per week during Week Three, and four times per week in Week Four, and five times per week in Week Five.

This requires patience and discipline, but the conservative, gradual, and progressive application of KAATSU will pay off large dividends as your vascular elasticity will gradually adapt very well to the healthful stress of KAATSU Cycles.

Copyright © 2014 - 2021 by KAATSU Global

Laura Wilkinson Flying Gracefully Through The Air

For who? Baby Boomers, retirees, military veterans, competitive athletes
For what? rehabilitation, recovery, muscle tone



One of the most remarkable athletes around the world who utilizes KAATSU is Laura Wilkinson. Her comebacks are legendary in the global diving community. The Olympic gold medalist diver from Houston, Texas is a 43-year-old mother of four young children.

Her tenacity, passion and dedication have continued throughout her life.

Early on during her teenage years, Wilkinson was told that she was too old to start a new sport and was later kicked off her high school team because they thought she was a "waste of space". She had major surgery on her neck in 2020 to repair damage to discs injured by her diving career - but her Olympic dreams continue.

Remarkably, Wilkinson remains at the top of her game and as strong and sharp as ever despite her injuries and most recent surgery [see above doing a 10-meter platform dive]. Wilkinson is the first woman to win the three major diving world titles. While the Houston native and motivational speaker initially retired in 2008, she returned to competition in 2017 and is currently training for a fourth Olympic Games at The Woodlands Diving Academy in Texas.

"Within two days of starting KAATSU I noticed relief from a lingering tricep injury that was impacting my ability to dive at my full potential. What started as a tool to aid in recovery has grown into a way to help build strength and endurance. KAATSU has made me feel strong again diving off the 10-meter platform," she explained.

The velocity in which she hits the water is tremendous - and her arms take the shock upon entry. At the age of 43 and doing repeated dives during competitions, the stress on her arms and upper body is off the charts - even for her competitors who are less than half her age.

But, by doing KAATSU Cycles before and during the competition, she remains a strong contender - and a reminder that Olympic swimmer Dara Torres also found her way onto the Olympic podium at the age of 41 in her fifth Olympics.

Wilkinson's movements and therapy are primarily done while using the Progressive KAATSU Cycle mode - always starting off with lower pressures and building up to higher pressures. Fundamentally, her movements are simple and include the KAATSU 3-Point Exercises as well as stretching. Additionally, she also uses her KAATSU Air Bands while doing activities at home while she is with her children and husband Eriek Hulseman.

To learn more information about Wilkinson's deep-seated drive and belief in herself and her dreams, visit www.laurawilkinson.com.

To listen to her Pursuit of Gold Podcast and her conversations with elite and Olympic athletes, sports professionals, coaches, and experts tht unlock the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual tools that shape the whole athlete and generate peak performance, visit here.

Read the latest KAATSU Magazine here with Wilkinson on the cover.

Copyright © 2014 - 2021 by KAATSU Global

KAATSU While Quarantined In A Hotel Room

For who? Road warriors, competitive athletes, executives, travelers, individuals on quarantine
For what? Travel, jet lag, insomnia, stress relief



KAATSU users of the KAATSU Cycle 2.0 or KAATSU C3 are really, really fortunate, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you find yourself stuck in a quarantine in a hotel or at a home due to local regulations or cross-border travel, the KAATSU the Original BFR is extremely useful to stay sane, stay relaxed, and/or work on your strength, stamina, speed and fine motor skills while in a hotel room or other location.

KAATSU users around the world have stayed pumped with KAATSU equipment while using everything from TRX straps hooked to their hotel door to water bottles substituting for dumbbells. You can also do burpees, slow negative squats, isometric exercises, the classic KAATSU 3-Point Exercises [shown below], stretch, do shoulder rolls frontwards and backwards, and/or use resistance bands tied to a doorknob while you have your KAATSU Air Bands on your arms (utilizing the Progressive KAATSU Cycle mode) or while you have your KAATSU Air Bands on your legs while doing core work.









Both the KAATSU Cycle 2.0 and newer KAATSU C3 are compact (handheld), lightweight, and can be used anywhere anytime by anyone doing anything. The standard KAATSU 3-Point Exercises on your arms or legs [shown above] are tremendously beneficial and provide a great stress relief while on quarantine.

In times of stress, especially while being forced to limit (or avoid) outdoor activities, simple leg and easy-to-do core exercises with KAATSU equipment are also a great way to stay fit, stay sane, and not gain weight.

KAATSU Walking (or KAATSU Pacing in a hotel room) can provide the same effect as significantly longer (in duration and distance) runs, jogs and walks. Simply put the KAATSU Air Bands on your legs and walk back and forth while stuck in your hotel room [see photo on left].

Advanced KAATSU 3-Point Exercises for the legs (i.e., Standing Heel Raises, Leg Curls, and Quarter Squats) are a great finisher to KAATSU Pacing.

The KAATSU Air Bands on your upper legs will result in healthful systemic effects that are felt and seen throughout your body, including your core and upper body.

But if you want to focus on your core, you do not have to do planks, crunches and other forms of abdominal work - although you can. Instead, you can do a number of simple KAATSU exercises to strengthen your lower back and tighten your core.

In fact, core and lower back exercises can comprise of your entire KAATSU training session for the day. Alternatively, core and lower back exercises can be an addition to your typical KAATSU sessions.

Core & Lower Back #1 Exercise
1. Manually tighten your KAATSU Air Bands on your legs at your appropriate pressure.
2. Repeatedly inflate your KAATSU Air Bands while utilizing the KAATSU Cycle mode.
3. Stand on one foot, balancing only on your other leg for as long as possible.
4. When your balance is lost, rest for 10-20 seconds and repeat two more times.
5. After 3 times, balance on your other foot.
6. This act of balancing will create instability in your core and will help strengthen your stomach and lower back.

Core & Lower Back #2 Exercise
1. Manually tighten your KAATSU Air Bands on your legs at your appropriate Base SKU.
2. Repeatedly inflate your KAATSU Air Bands while utilizing the KAATSU Cycle mode.
3. Place a book on your head and walk slowly until the book falls off.
4. Rest 10-20 seconds and repeat the walk again two more times with the book on your head.
5. Walking straight slowly, especially on an uneven surface like a sandy beach, will create instability in your core and will help strengthen your stomach and lower back.

Core & Lower Back #3 Exercise
1. Manually tighten your KAATSU Air Bands on your legs at your appropriate SKU.
2. Repeatedly inflate your KAATSU Air Bands while utilizing the KAATSU Cycle mode.
3. Stand on one foot while holding a water bottle in each hand.
4. Hold the water bottle in your outstretched arms and stand as long as possible on one leg.
5. When your balance is lost, rest 10-20 seconds and repeat two more times.
6. After 3 times, balance on your other foot.
7. In order to make this exercise more difficult, move your outstretched arms left and right, and up and down in an asymmetric manner while balancing on one foot.

Core & Lower Back #4 Exercise
1. Manually tighten your KAATSU Air Bands on your legs at your appropriate Base SKU.
2. Repeatedly inflate your KAATSU Air Bands while utilizing the KAATSU Cycle mode.
3. Do planks as usual.
4. Alternatively, tighten the KAATSU Air Bands on your arms at your Optimal SKU and do planks as normal.

Core & Lower Back #5 Exercise
1. Tighten your KAATSU Air Bands on your legs at your appropriate Base SKU.
2. Repeatedly inflate your KAATSU Air Bands while utilizing the KAATSU Cycle mode.
3. Lie on your back and slowly bring one leg one up to your stomach and hold. Grab your knee with your arms to stretch your back.
4. Repeat as desired.
5. Continue to lie on your back and slowly pull both your legs up to your stomach and hold. Grab your knees with your arms to stretch your back.
6. Repeat as desired.

Core & Lower Back #6 Exercise
1. Tighten your KAATSU Air Bands on your legs at your appropriate Base SKU.
2. Repeatedly inflate your KAATSU Air Bands while utilizing the KAATSU Cycle mode.
3. Lie on your back and slowly lift your hips off the floor and hold. Bring your hips to the ground and repeat as desired.

Core & Lower Back #7 Exercise
1. Tighten your KAATSU Air Bands on your legs at your appropriate Base SKU.
2. Repeatedly inflate your KAATSU Air Bands while utilizing the KAATSU Cycle mode.
3. Lie on your back and slowly lift both your feet off the ground and hold. Repeat as desired.
4. Lie on your back, lift both your feet off the ground, and kick your feet slightly off the ground. Repeat as desired.

Core & Lower Back #8 Exercise
1. Tighten your KAATSU Air Bands on your legs at your appropriate Base SKU.
2. Repeatedly inflate your KAATSU Air Bands while utilizing the KAATSU Cycle mode.
3. Lie on your back and slowly pandiculate (i.e., stretch and stiffen your trunk and limbs, extending your toes, feet, arms and hands as you do upon waking).
4. Repeat as desired.

Core & Lower Back #9 Exercise
1. KAATSU Aqua Sit-ups are used by competitive aquatic athletes with a Bosu Ball in a pool.
2. Start horizontal in the water while grabbing onto a Bosu Ball; then climb on top of the Bosu Ball. Do 3 sets to failure.

KAATSU Master Specialist Cory Keirn DPT explains how and where KAATSU can be used...anywhere anytime, including in your car while waiting for your children. You can do the same while quarantined in your hotel room or other location:



You can use KAATSU for exercise or rehabilitation while...

* typing an email in the hotel room
* waiting while meals are delivered to your room
* sitting and waiting and waiting
* watching TV or moviews
* doing homework or reading a book
* stretching
* packing your bags before heading out to the sunshine

Once you understand that exercise and rehabilitation can be done anywhere anytime, your efficiency and effectiveness in getting things done goes way up. And exercise is transformed to simple movement - that you constantly do during the course of your day - with KAATSU equipment.



Copyright © 2014 - 2021 by KAATSU Global

Thursday, May 6, 2021

KAATSU Recommendations for an Olympic Athlete

For who? Competitive (collegiate, professional, Olympic) athletes
For what? rehabilitation, quality sleep, recovery, jet lag

KAATSU Global often provides customized guidance to people, biohackers, and athletes of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. But what if an individual is an extraordinary athlete of uncommon abilities?

Ryan Lochte is one such individual. A 12-time Olympic medalist, multiple world record holder, 7-time NCAA champion, and history's most competitive rival to the Olympic's most decorated athlete (Michael Phelps), Lochte is renowned for his conditioning workouts in the water and strength training on dryland.

At the age of 36, his body needs more recovery than ever before if he will make his fifth consecutive United States Olympic team. The lactate build-up that he creates in the water and in the gym is off the charts. His strength coach and his swim coach push him like they can with few others. As Sports Illustrated Magazine reported, "Lochte's legendary tolerance for physical pain has reached its limit."

Given his innate physiology and inner drive, Chris Morgan would recommend the following:

1. Use the KAATSU C3 device with KAATSU Air Bands for his arms and legs.
2. Do at least 3 KAATSU sessions per day, spaced appropriately:

* in the morning between the time he wakes up and the time he leaves for morning practice
* after his morning swim workouts or dryland workouts
* within 60 minutes of his planned bedtime.
3. Each KAATSU session should begin with his arms and then end with his legs.
4. Each KAATSU session should incorporate at least 3 KAATSU Cycle sets on his arms and legs, but ideally up to 6 sets if he has time.
5. Each KAATSU Cycle should be progressive, starting at the lowest settings and moving gradually to the higher pressure settings.

"The advice is proven and is remarkably simple," explains Morgan, a 2008 Olympic swim coach whose team of accomplished high school swimmers uses KAATSU daily. "Ryan needs to augment his recovery regimen as much as he is focused on his work output, whether it is in the pool and gym. With the repeated KAATSU Cycles, the vascular tissue of his arms and legs will become more elastic. This will enable Ryan to experience the most effective and efficient metabolic flush that he would ever feel.

That allow will not only make him feel psychologically better and recover faster, but it will also help him maintain his speed in the second half of his races - which Olympic positions and Olympic medals are really on the line. If he wants to become the oldest male swimmer in U.S. history, he needs every advantage possible and leave no stone unturned.

Like renowned swim coach and Olympic medalist Sergio Lopez of Virginia Tech experienced with his own son, Ryan can experience another gear that he may not know he innately has
."

Copyright © 2014 - 2021 by KAATSU Global

Tuesday, May 4, 2021

Green Beret Joe Lowrey and Navy SEAL John Doolittle on National Defense Radio with Randy Miller

For who? Baby Boomers, retirees, military veterans, competitive athletes
For what? rehabilitation, quality sleep, insomnia, jet lag, recovery



Last week, Randy Miller of National Defense Radio interviewed Green Beret and Purple Heart recipient Joe Lowrey and Navy SEAL and Air Force Academy graduate John Doolittle on the National Defense Show.

Joe Lowrey was an ice hockey goalie who graduated from Long Beach Wilson High School in Southern California. An extraordinarily fit and driven individual, Lowrey enlisted in the U.S. Army as an infantryman during his senior year in high school as his immediate response to the 9-11 attacks.

Lowrey attended basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia and spent six years serving in various locations until he became a Staff Sergeant and qualified for the Special Forces assessment and selection process. He completed Basic Airborne Training at Fort Benning and Special Forces training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina where he earned his green beret and was assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group.

Lowrey was deployed twice to Colombia and Afghanistan where he was wounded by a PKM machine gun round during an intense firefight against Taliban insurgents on July 7th 2014. A bullet pierced his Kevlar helmet, entered his skull and exited his brain on the other side. His fellow Green Berets rescued him from the firefight and were told that Joe would not live long as part of his brain was removed.

Lowrey remained in a coma for a month and then began his recovery initially at Walter Reed Hospital, and then at the Palo Alto Polytrauma Rehabilitation Unit, California Casa Colina, and Centre For Neuro Skills in California. Ultimately, he was medically retired from active duty, but his injuries left him without movement on the left side of his body and limited movement on his right side.

This Purple Heart recipient and retired U.S. Army Green Beret Sergeant 1st Class joined Navy SEAL captain John Doolittle on the radio show. In the first photo shown on the left, Doolittle is positioned on the far left without a helmet.

In the second photo shown on the left, Doolittle is with his graduating Navy SEALs class standing on far right in first row.

The third photo is an x-ray of his spine that has been badly injured after 13 orthopedic surgeries over his 25-year military career.

Doolittle served in the Navy after graduating from the Air Force Academy and culminated his career as a decorated captain in the Navy SEALs with numerous overseas deployments and 13 orthopedic surgeries during this 25-year career.

Both Doolittle and Lowrey use the KAATSU C3 to improve their blood circulation and improve muscle tone. Lowrey religiously does two KAATSU sessions per day, every day: a KAATSU Walking session in the morning and a KAATSU Nighttime Protocol in the evening before bed.

Doolittle and Lowrey both use the KAATSU C3, the third generation KAATSU Cycle device. KAATSU is the Original BFR (Blood Flow Restriction).

Invented in Japan, with products engineered and designed in Southern California, KAATSU Global is the pioneer in the emerging BFR market. The carefully controlled, easy-to-use pneumatic KAATSU bands automatically and safely optimizes blood circulation for muscle tone, strength, mobility, rehabilitation, and recovery.

Smaller KAATSU devices (e.g., KAATSU Master 2.0, KAATSU Cycle 2.0, KAATSU C3, KAATSU B1, KAATSU AI) included a handheld automated compressor and universal pneumatic, stretchable bands which are placed around the arms or legs.

The KAATSU Air Bands inflate and deflate in a patented sequence based on algorithms that are optimal for each user, no matter their age or physical abilities.

KAATSU protocols are convenient, easy-to-do, and time-effective. KAATSU equipment offer unparalleled performance, precision, and safety for users of all ages, fitness levels, and walks of life - and can be used anywhere anytime to help you...Recover Faster, Rehab Stronger and Perform Better.

For more information, visit www.kaatsu.com to learn how KAATSU differs from B Strong, Delfi Portable Tourniquet System for Blood Flow Restriction, Smart Cuffs, and other BFR brands and low-cost occlusion bands.

The primary differences between KAATSU and other BFR bands and equipment include the following:

* KAATSU utilizes the patented Cycle function
* different pressures can be simultaneously used on different limbs
* KAATSU equipment and protocols were proven safe and effective after a decade of clinical use and research on over 7,000 cardiac rehab patients at the University of Tokyo Hospital (2004 - 2014)
* KAATSU is used by cardiologists, orthopedic surgeons, podiatrists, and physicians in various specialties
* KAATSU Air Bands do not occlude arterial flow
* KAATSU is meant to be gentle and convenient in order to do anywhere anytime
* KAATSU is sold worldwide to people up to the age of 104
* more research has been conducted in more countries on KAATSU than any other BFR device
* the seminal, groundbreaking research on BFR was conducted and published by KAATSU inventor Dr. Yoshiaki Sato in the 1990s
* KAATSU Air Bands are waterproof and the KAATSU C3 is ruggedized for military applications

Copyright © 2014 - 2021 by KAATSU Global