KAATSU resistance training decreased the sinus pause in a patient demonstrating sick sinus syndrome. A case report

Abstract

The effectiveness of KAATSU resistance training (Kaatsu) has been established as a method not only to increase muscle size and power but also to benefit patients with orthopedic and cardiac diseases. The method is a low-intensity resistance exercise (20~30% of one repetition maximum, 1RM) with a restriction of the venous return using a specially designed pressurized cuff or belt at the proximal end of the upper or lower extremities. The increases of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) by Kaatsu resistance training are considered to play an important role in elucidating the mechanism of Kaatsu. In this case, the sinus pause of a patient with sick sinus syndrome (SSS) decreased to approximately 40% with Holter ECG monitoring after Kaatsu resistance training. The mechanism regarding such an improvement by Kaatsu is herein discussed. Therefore, an additional effect of Kaatsu is reported concerning the decreased sinus pause observed in a SSS patient.