Key considerations when conducting KAATSU training

Abstract

KAATSU training is a novel training method conducted under special conditions of restricted muscle blood flow of the limbs with a specially-designed KAATSU belt. In 2006, we conducted a questionnaire survey across the whole of Japan to investigate the status of KAATSU training. After that, we have performed KAATSU training mainly for patients with cardiovascular diseases at a total of approximately 700 people per year, and no serious side effects of note have been found. However, it has also been applied for various purposes such as to increase the muscle strength and prevent the muscular atrophy of all kinds of patients including older people. And, in near future, it may be used to train more seriously affected patients with cachexia or sarcopenia. Therefore, in this review, we introduce the main matters reported over the five years since the questionnaire survey was conducted. In addition, we outline key considerations concerning the implementation of KAATSU training centered mainly on our previous experience and reports reached to us.