Effects of KAATSU on Coagulation in Healthy Subjects

SUMMARY: This study concludes that performing low-intensity resistance exercise with KAATSU (Blood Flow Restriction) does not activate the coagulation system or increase the risk of intravascular clot formation in healthy subjects, despite causing a significant reduction in plasma volume.

Hemodynamic and Hormonal Responses to a Short-Term Low-Intensity Resistance Exercise with the KAATSU. 

SUMMARY: This study concludes that short-term low-intensity resistance exercise combined with KAATSU significantly stimulates the release of growth hormone, IGF-1, and VEGF while reducing cardiac preload, making it a potentially unique and safe rehabilitation method for patients with cardiovascular diseases.

Cardiovascular and Metabolic Responses to Walking With and Without Leg Blood Flow Reduction 

SUMMARY: This study investigates the hemodynamic responses to walking with leg blood flow reduction (BFR), finding that while BFR increases heart rate and oxygen uptake to compensate for reduced stroke volume, the specific low-intensity protocol tested was insufficient to reach the intensity threshold required for improving cardiovascular fitness.

KAATSU and the Cardiac and Circulatory System

SUMMARY: This chapter examines the clinical application of KAATSU Training for cardiac rehabilitation and metabolic disorders, concluding that low-intensity exercise with restricted blood flow safely stimulates significant muscular, hormonal, and vascular improvements—such as angiogenesis and increased growth hormone—while minimizing cardiac stress, making it an effective therapeutic alternative for patients unable to tolerate traditional high-load resistance training.

Low-intensity Kaatsu Resistance Exercises Using An Elastic Band Enhance Muscle Activation in Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases

SUMMARY: This study demonstrates that performing low-intensity resistance exercises with KAATSU significantly enhances muscle activation in patients with cardiovascular diseases compared to unrestricted exercise, concluding that this method is a safe and effective alternative for cardiac rehabilitation to promote muscle hypertrophy without the risks associated with heavy lifting.

Can KAATSU be Used for Orthostatic Stress in Astronauts - A Case Study

SUMMARY: This case study demonstrates that applying KAATSU pressure to the thighs mimics the hemodynamic, autonomic, and hormonal effects of standing in Earth's gravity (orthostasis), concluding that it is a promising, portable countermeasure for astronauts to prevent cardiovascular deconditioning and muscle atrophy during spaceflight.

Combination of KAATSU Training and BCAA Intake for a Patient After Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery - A Case Study

SUMMARY: This case study concludes that the combination of low-intensity KAATSU training and branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) intake is a safe and effective rehabilitation method to significantly improve muscle mass and strength in patients with low cardiac function following aortic valve replacement surgery.

Effects of KAATSU Training on Human Mitochondria-Related Factors and Comprehensive Effects on Cardiovascular System

SUMMARY: This study investigates the physiological impact of an 8-week KAATSU training program on 40 healthy adults, concluding that the method significantly improves body composition, enhances vascular endothelial function via VEGF and NO secretion, and optimizes lipid metabolism through mitochondria-related factors (LPL and PDK4) without inducing inflammatory muscle injury.

Effects of Low Intensity KAATSU Resistance Training on Skeletal Muscle Size, Strength and Endurance Capacity in patients with Ischemic Heart Disease

SUMMARY: This study concludes that three months of low-intensity KAATSU resistance training (20–30% 1-RM) is a safe and effective cardiac rehabilitation method for patients with ischemic heart disease, resulting in significant improvements in skeletal muscle size, strength, and aerobic endurance capacity without inducing adverse cardiovascular events or inflammation.

Effects of Short-Term, Low-Intensity Resistance Training with Vascular Restriction on Arterial Compliance in Untrained Young Men

SUMMARY: This study concludes that short-term, low-intensity resistance training with KAATSU significantly increases muscle strength in untrained young men without causing arterial stiffening (reduced arterial compliance), making it a vascularly safe alternative to traditional high-intensity resistance training.

Enhancement of Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System Activity by Blood Flow Restriction in the Human Leg

SUMMARY: This study investigates the effects of leg blood flow restriction on the autonomic nervous system, concluding that the release phase following high-pressure occlusion significantly stimulates parasympathetic nervous system activity (vagal tone), making it a potentially useful non-pharmacological method for improving cardiac autonomic function.

Exercise-Induced Vascular Adaptations under Artificially Versus Pathologically Reduced Blood Flow - A Focus Review with Special Emphasis on Arteriogenesis

SUMMARY: This review compares the vascular adaptations of exercise under artificial blood flow restriction (BFR) versus pathological lower extremity arterial disease (LEAD), concluding that BFR shares key physiological mechanisms with LEAD—specifically hypoxia-induced arteriogenesis and changes in miRNA expression—making it a viable research model and a promising therapeutic preconditioning strategy for patients with limited physical resilience.

Haemostatic and Inflammatory Responses to Blood Flow-Restricted Exercise in Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease

SUMMARY: This pilot study concludes that low-intensity resistance exercise combined with blood flow restriction (KAATSU) is relatively safe for stable patients with ischemic heart disease, as it does not induce adverse hemostatic or inflammatory responses (such as increased clot formation or C-reactive protein levels) despite provoking higher heart rates and noradrenaline levels than exercise without restriction.

Hemodynamic and Autonomic Nervous Responses to the Restriction of Femoral Blood Flow by KAATSU

SUMMARY: This study demonstrates that applying KAATSU pressure to the thighs significantly reduces venous return and stroke volume while increasing total peripheral resistance and sympathetic nerve activity, concluding that it effectively simulates the hemodynamic stress of orthostasis (standing) and is a promising countermeasure against cardiovascular deconditioning caused by spaceflight or bed rest.

KAATSU Training Improves the Femoris Quadriceps Muscle Brightness in Postoperative Patients with Valvular Heart Disease

SUMMARY: This study demonstrates that three months of low-intensity KAATSU resistance training significantly increases skeletal muscle mass and knee extension strength in postoperative valvular heart disease patients, concluding that the method effectively improves muscle quality as indicated by a significant decrease in muscle brightness (a marker for intramuscular fat and fibrous tissue).

Low-Intensity Kaatsu Resistance Exercises Using an Elastic Band Enhance Muscle Activation in Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases

SUMMARY: This study concludes that low-intensity elastic band resistance exercise combined with KAATSU (blood flow restriction) significantly increases muscle activation and perceived exertion in patients with cardiovascular disease, suggesting it is a safe and effective rehabilitative method for promoting muscle hypertrophy without the risks associated with high-intensity training.

The Effects of Low-Intensity KAATSU Resistance Exercise on Intracellular Neutrophil PTX3 and MPO

SUMMARY: This study concludes that low-intensity KAATSU resistance exercise does not significantly increase the release of oxidative stress (MPO) or inflammatory (PTX3) markers from neutrophils in either healthy subjects or patients with ischemic heart disease, demonstrating that it is a safe rehabilitative alternative to high-intensity training.