Abstract
The application of an orthostatic stress such as lower body negative pressure (LBNP) during exercise has been proposed to minimize the effects of weightlessness on the cardiovascular system and subsequently to reduce the cardiovascular deconditioning. The KAATSU training is a novel method for strength training to induce muscle strength and hypertrophy. KAATSU induces venous pooling of blood in capacitance vessels by restricting venous blood flow. Therefore, to investigate whether KAATSU can be used as an orthostatic stress, we examined the effects of KAATSU on the hemodynamic, autonomic nervous and hormonal parameters in one subject. The several parameters were measured by impedance cardiography; heart rate (HR), mean blood pressure (mBP), stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), total peripheral resistance (TPR), and heart rate variability (HRV). These data were obtained before (pre), during and after (post) pressurization (50 and 200 mmHg) on both thighs with KAATSU mini belts, and compared with those in standing. The serum concentration of noradrenaline (NA) and vasopressin (ADH), and plasma rennin activity (PRA) were also measured. The application of 200 mmHg KAATSU decreased SV, which was almost equal to the value in standing. HR and TPR increased in a similar manner as standing with slight change of mBP. High frequency (HFRR), a marker of parasympathetic nervous activity, decreased during both 200 mmHg KAATSU and standing, while LFRR/HFRR, a quantitative marker of sympathetic nervous activity, increased significantly. During KAATSU and standing, NA, PRA and ADH increased. These results indicate that the application of KAATSU on both thighs simulates systemic cardiovascular effects of orthostasis in one gravity (1G), and that KAATSU training appears to be a useful method for potential countermeasure like lower body negative pressure (LBNP) against orthostatic intolerance in space flight as well as strength training to induce muscle strength and hypertrophy.
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