The history and future of KAATSU Training

Prof. Sir Y. Sato (MD PhD)

KAATSU training methodology was invented by Prof.Sir Yoshiaki Sato (MD PhD). Japan in 1996 and the methods of KAATSU Training were generalized for the public use in June 1997. Patent granted from the patent office in Japan to protect and promote KAATSU Training, values as "high Technological invention utilizing the laws of nature".

KAATSU training involves the restriction of blood flow to exercising muscle and is the culmination of nearly 40 years of experimentation with the singular purpose of increasing muscle mass. KAATSU Training consists of performing low-intensity resistance training while a relatively light and flexible cuff is placed on the proximal part of one's lower or upper limbs, which provides appropriate superficial pressure. KAATSU Training should not be confused with training under ischemic conditions which has previously been reported (Sundberg, 1994). KAATSU Training does not induce ischemia within skeletal muscle, but rather promotes a state of blood pooling in the capillaries within the limb musculature. Applied basic and clinical research conducted over the past 10 years has demonstrated that KAATSU Training not only improves muscle mass and strength in healthy volunteers, but also benefits patients with cardiovascular and orthopedic conditions.

The aims of KAATSU Training

The expression KAATSU TRAINING literally means muscle strength training "with the addition of pressure". This additional pressure is applied to the arms and legs use of a special belt. The objective of applying pressure with a belt to the four limb truncation points is to restrict the flow of blood. By applying an appropriate pressure to these points, blood circulation to the peripheral regions of the arms and legs can be temporarily regulated, particularly in terms of venous providing a highly specialized environment for muscle training. This is the fundamental aim of KAATSU TRAINING. After the training period is over and the pressure is released, it is found that in comparison with the period before the pressure was applied, the blood flow may be deliberately regulated.

The popularity of KAATSU Training

The KAATSU Training method gained popularity in the athletic world and many athletes proved its effectiveness by enhancing their performance with this training. At the same time, collaboration of research efforts with Professor Naokata Ishii began. The research projects focused on the effect of acute low-intensity KAATSU exercise on blood growth hormone and the chronic effect on muscle hypertrophy and strength gains, as well as the effects of KAATSU Training on muscle size and strength in athletes.