Interesting to see that 5 years after this Getbig posting, Kaatsu training (i.e. occlusion training) has hit the mainstream. The Wall Street Journal wrote an article about it today at
http://www.wsj.com/articles/can-you-work-out-less-get-more-results-1450714676?mod=WSJ_article_EditorsPicks_3. Scary development. Wonder how many will buy into this training method and abuse it to dire effect.
From the article: "The idea of restricting blood flow to enhance training isn’t new. Some body builders in America have bound their arms with bands for years, calling it occlusion training. Kaatsu’s proponents say Kaatsu offers a safer and more effective method.
The pressurized belts cause the limbs to fill up with blood. Muscles are activated and lactic acid accumulates, say some researchers who have studied exercise when blood flow is restricted. That tricks the brain into thinking the body is doing more intense exercise, which encourages muscle growth and burning of fat and helps the body repair injuries faster, say proponents of the technique. Other researchers say the ways in which restricting blood flow helps encourage muscle growth, even with a light workout, aren’t completely understood. "
Got to love this purported side-effect:
"Another reason for Kaatsu’s popularity in Japan: its purported cosmetic effects. The buildup of lactic acid during Kaatsu signals the brain to produce growth hormone, say Kaatsu researchers and trainers. There haven’t been any studies of how Kaatsu affects appearance, but some athletes and regular gym-goers say their hair and nails grow faster and their skin looks younger when using Kaatsu."
Perhaps bodybuilders could get the same Kaatsu effect by training in tight clothes that are a few sizes too small.
