Effects of KAATSU training on haemostasis in healthy subjects

Abstract

Purposes: The KAATSU training is performed under the reduction of muscle blood flow by a speciallydesigned belt (KAATSU belt), which induces blood pooling in capacitance vessels by restricting venous return. However, no prior studies have examined the effects of KAATSU training on haemostasis. The purpose of the present study was to investigate acute effects of KAATSU training on haemostasis including fibrinolytic responses in healthy subjects. Methods: Two protocols have been performed. (1) 6 healthy men (mean age= 48 ± 5 yr) performed KAATSU (160 mmHg) of both thighs for 15 minutes and then KAASTU training combined with low-intensity leg and foot aerobic exercises for ~10 minutes in hypobaric chamber, which mimics 8000 feet in airflight. (2) Another 7 men (mean age=30 ± 4 yr) performed leg press exercises (30 % 1 RM) with and without KAATSU of both thighs 24 h after bed rest. Blood samples were taken at rest, immediately after KAATSU, and exercises with or without KAATSU, and after exercise. For the investigation of blood fibrinolysis, determinations of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) activity or antigen, plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 activity or antigen, fibrin degradation product (FDP) and D-dimer were used. Prothrombin time (PT) and platelet counts were also measured. Results: (1) In hypobaric chamber, KAATSU by itself significantly increased tPA activity, while PAI-1 activity was unchanged. Furthermore, immediately after the exercise, tPA activity increased significantly. (2) During the exercises combined with KAATSU 24 h after bed rest, tPA antigen significantly increased, compared with control exercises, but PAI-1 antigen was unchanged. In both cases, KAATSU training did not induce fibrin formation as assessed by fibrin D-dimer and FDP. Conclusions: This study indicates that potentially favorable changes occur in fibrinolytic factors after KAATSU and KAATSU training in healthy subjects.

Blood flow-restricted exercise in space

“…Most recently, Clark et al [57] observed an increase in tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), a fibrinolytic protein that catalyzes the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin, immediately following a single bout of BFR exercise. This finding is consistent with those of Nakajima et al [58] who reported that an acute bout of BFR exercise increased tPA antigen without altering plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) or D-dimer (D-d). Together, these results suggest that BFR exercise may acutely increase fibrinolytic activity, thus reducing the risk for blood coagulation.…”

Effects of low-intensity KAATSU resistance training on skeletal muscle size/strength and endurance capacity in patients with ischemic heart disease

“…During our study using patients with ischemic heart disease, no venous thrombosis had developed. This might be compatible with the previous papers showing that vascular occlusion alone stimulates the fibrinolytic activity without the coagulation activity and clot formation (Nakajima et al, 2007;Madarame et al, 2010; Clark et al, 2010). The most common side effects in KAATSU training are petechia and temporary numbness as described previously (Nakajima et al, 2006).…”

“…This method for inducing the reduction of muscle blood flow is similar to those described in previous papers (Takarada et al 2000a;b; c; Takarada et al, 2002a,b;Takano et al, 2005; Abe et al 2006; Fujita et al., 2007;Iida et al, 2007;Nakajima et al, 2008). A specially-designed KAATSU belt applies pressure at the proximal ends of both sides of the thighs, to restrict venous blood flow.…”

Effects of low‐intensity resistance exercise with blood flow restriction on coagulation system in healthy subjects

“…It has been considered that metabolic and ⁄ or adrenergic factors play some roles in exercise-induced thrombin generation, though the precise mechanism remains unclear. Although resistance exercise with BFR is normally performed with a relatively low intensity for a short duration (Wernbom et al, 2008), this type of exercise has been shown to induce strong metabolic stress (Suga et al, 2009) with increases in concentrations of blood lactate and catecholamines (Takarada et al, 2000;Nakajima et al, 2007). Although resistance exercise with BFR is normally performed with a relatively low intensity for a short duration (Wernbom et al, 2008), this type of exercise has been shown to induce strong metabolic stress (Suga et al, 2009) with increases in concentrations of blood lactate and catecholamines (Takarada et al, 2000;Nakajima et al, 2007).…”