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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J Suppl / Muscle, tendon, and somatotropin responses to the restrictio...
Equine veterinary journal. Supplement2007; (36); 345-348; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05566.x

Muscle, tendon, and somatotropin responses to the restriction of muscle blood flow induced by KAATSU-walk training.

Abstract: The efficacy of KAATSU training has been demonstrated in human athletes, both as a therapeutic method as well as a training aid. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of slow walk training combined with restriction of muscle blood flow (KAATSU) on muscle and tendon size. Methods: Six healthy, unfit Standardbred mares performed walking (240 m/min for 10 min and then 5 min recovery) with KAATSU, and 6 mares performed walking without KAATSU. A specially designed elastic cuff1 was placed at the most proximal position of the forelegs and inflated to a pressure of 200-230 mmHg throughout the walking and recovery sessions. The training was conducted once a day, 6 days/week for 2 weeks. Skeletal muscle thickness and tendon thickness were measured using B-mode ultrasound at baseline and after 2 weeks of training. Venous blood samples were obtained before the first acute exercise and 5, 15 and 60 min afterwards. Serum somatotropin concentration was determined using a commercially available equine-specific ELISA kit. Results: The acute increase in plasma somatotropin was 40% greater (P<0.05) in the KAATSU-walk group than in the Control-walk group 5 min after exercise and remained elevated (P<0.05) at 15 and 60 min post exercise compared with the Control-walk group. After 2 weeks of training, muscle thickness increased (P0.05) in either group. Conclusions: These data demonstrate that KAATSU training can induce muscle hypertrophy in horses and suggest that KAATSU training may provide significant therapeutic/ rehabilitative value in horses, as has been shown in man.
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Publication Date: 2007-04-04 PubMed ID: 17402445DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05566.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research evaluates the impact of KAATSU-walk training, a method that restricts muscle blood flow while exercising, on the development of muscle and tendon size in horses. The results suggest that KAATSU training can promote muscle growth in horses and has potential for use in equine therapy or rehabilitation.

Study Objective and Methodology

  • The main goal of this research was to understand the effects of slow walk training combined with muscle blood flow restriction, known as KAATSU, on muscle and tendon size in horses.
  • Six unfit Standardbred mares underwent KAATSU-walk training, while another six mares participated in regular walking without the blood flow restriction.
  • The KAATSU training involved placing an elastic cuff around the top of the forelegs and inflating it to a pressure of 200-230 mmHg during walking and during resting periods.
  • Both groups walked at a pace of 240 meters per minute for 10 minutes, followed by a 5-minute recovery session. The regimen was administered once a day for six days a week over a span of two weeks.
  • The thickness of the mares’ muscles and tendons were measured using ultrasound technology before and after the training period.
  • The team also took venous blood samples before the horses began exercising and again 5, 15 and 60 minutes afterwards. The levels of somatotropin, a growth hormone, were detected using an equine-specific ELISA kit.

Key Findings of the Study

  • Testing showed a 40% greater increase in plasma somatotropin levels 5 minutes after exercise in the KAATSU-walk trained horses compared to the control group. This level remained elevated at 15 and 60 minutes post exercise when compared to the control group.
  • Muscle thickness in the KAATSU-walk trained horses increased by 3.5% after two weeks of training, contrary to the control group which didn’t show any significant changes (0.7%).
  • There were no significant changes in tendon thickness in either group after the training period.

Study Conclusions

  • The results of the study show that KAATSU training can spur muscle growth in horses, implying it may have important therapeutic or rehabilitative applications for the species.
  • By provoking a greater release of the growth hormone somatotropin, KAATSU-walk training seems to stimulate muscle hypertrophy more effectively than regular walking.

Cite This Article

APA
Abe T, Kearns CF, Manso Filho HC, Sato Y, McKeever KH. (2007). Muscle, tendon, and somatotropin responses to the restriction of muscle blood flow induced by KAATSU-walk training. Equine Vet J Suppl(36), 345-348. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05566.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal. Supplement
NlmUniqueID: 9614088
Country: United States
Language: English
Issue: 36
Pages: 345-348

Researcher Affiliations

Abe, T
  • Department of Exercise and Sport Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 1-1 Minami-ohsawa, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan.
Kearns, C F
    Manso Filho, H C
      Sato, Y
        McKeever, K H

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Exercise Test / veterinary
          • Female
          • Forelimb / blood supply
          • Forelimb / physiology
          • Growth Hormone / blood
          • Horses
          • Muscle, Skeletal / anatomy & histology
          • Muscle, Skeletal / blood supply
          • Muscle, Skeletal / diagnostic imaging
          • Organ Size
          • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
          • Regional Blood Flow / physiology
          • Tendons / anatomy & histology
          • Tendons / blood supply
          • Tendons / diagnostic imaging
          • Time Factors
          • Ultrasonography

          Citations

          This article has been cited 5 times.
          1. Sgromolo NM, Cancio JM, Rhee PC. Safety and Efficacy of Blood Flow Restriction Therapy after Operative Management of Distal Radius Fractures: A Randomized Controlled Study. J Wrist Surg 2020 Aug;9(4):345-352.
            doi: 10.1055/s-0040-1712504pubmed: 32760614google scholar: lookup
          2. Cancio JM, Sgromolo NM, Rhee PC. Blood Flow Restriction Therapy after Closed Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures. J Wrist Surg 2019 Aug;8(4):288-294.
            doi: 10.1055/s-0039-1685455pubmed: 31404177google scholar: lookup
          3. Raji-Amirhasani A, Joukar S, Naderi-Boldaji V, Bejeshk MA. Mild exercise along with limb blood-flow restriction modulates the electrocardiogram, angiotensin, and apelin receptors of the heart in aging rats. Iran J Basic Med Sci 2018 Jun;21(6):558-563.
            doi: 10.22038/IJBMS.2018.24796.6165pubmed: 29942444google scholar: lookup
          4. Renzi CP, Tanaka H, Sugawara J. Effects of leg blood flow restriction during walking on cardiovascular function. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2010 Apr;42(4):726-32.
            doi: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181bdb454pubmed: 19952840google scholar: lookup
          5. Seo D, Song DS, Boyer W, Gillum T, Sullivan S, Liwanag N, Yoon I, Kim JK. Effect of Aerobic Exercise with Blood Flow Restriction on Postexercise Hypotension in Young Adults: The Role of Histamine Receptors. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2024 Oct 15;11(10).
            doi: 10.3390/jcdd11100326pubmed: 39452296google scholar: lookup
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