Functional Assessment Performance and Muscular Strength Improve in an Older Adult Following an 8-Week Kaatsu-Walk Training Program: A Case Study

Abstract

ABSTRACTCombining blood flow occlusion, Kaatsu, with a daily treadmill-walking program increases muscular strength in young, healthy men. Research using a similar training program in older adults is lacking. The present case study examined functional activity and body impairment responses to a daily walking program with Kaatsu in an older adult. The 67-year-old female participant walked at 0.85 m/s for five 2-min bouts with 1 min of rest between bouts, five times/week for 8 weeks with lower extremity Kaatsu cuffs inflated. Outcomes (Timed Up and Go, the Six Minute Walk Test, Ten Meter Walk Test, lower extremity strength measures) were collected at baseline, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks. Vitals were measured at the beginning and end of each walking session. Descriptives were calculated over time to determine the temporal effects of the Kaatsu-walk training program. All assessments, Timed Up and Go, Six Minute Walk Test, Ten Meter Walk Test, and lower extremity strength measures, increased 18.2% up to 46.8% from baseline to post-test. Data suggested that the 8-week Kaatsu-walk training program increases outcomes in an older adult.