Kaatsu Training "blows researchers minds"

[jpmuscle]

I'm at the gym working in curl variations using some of my elite FTS mini bands to achieve occlusion. I feel like my biceps are going to explode hang curling 50. Interesting to say the least. Dat pump

[WillBrink]

What's the report gents? I have been following the occlusion training since I posted the OP. I find the rubber strap deals work well for upper body, but not strong enough to occlude the lower body for me, so I'll probably get some wraps and used those for lower days. The pump one gets doing occlusion training is impressive, but I don't take that as an indicator of success of the method per se. The more I do it and read about it the more confident I become there's merit to it. Merit to who exactly and by how much is still the fuzzy part. I pulled a hamstring last time, so I'm limping around at the moment. Don't think it was directly caused by occlusion training, but the pull did happen right at the spot the band was. So far, I'm subjectively feeling it's more effective for upper body than lower, but that may simply be due to finding the right tension and wraps to use for lower. Lower body should be more effective for the effects of occlusion as it involves larger muscles being occluded.

So far, just following the very simple advice via Bard S linked in the OP at T Nation site. Traditional type workout, followed by 3 sets of occlusion training. I reduced volume of traditional training sets personally at adjust total volume to include the occlusion training vs add to it. So,


I have known about occlusion training long time, but it was always on my "to do list" to research it, and on the surface sounded goofy, so was not a high priority. Now I wished I had looked into it sooner.

[Voodoo_Man]

I struggled to find the proper rubber band without ordering them online.

[Shorts]

Will reading over this thread (really quickly before work) and the Metabolic stress adaptations research paper in the other thread, the concept of occlusion training seems like it is a method that is used to simulate physiological conditions of anaerobic glycolysis without actually doing those types of activities to the degree in which the conditions would normally be induced. Am I looking at that correctly?

[WillBrink]

Will reading over this thread (really quickly before work) and the Metabolic stress adaptations research paper in the other thread, the concept of occlusion training seems like it is a method that is used to simulate physiological conditions of anaerobic glycolysis without actually doing those types of activities to the degree in which the conditions would normally be induced. Am I looking at that correctly?

I'd give the paper linked HERE a read if you're interested in getting into the possible mechanisms. There's a number of proposed mechanisms and physiological conditions the hypoxia training mimics to that of standard RT.

[WillBrink]

Follow up. I have been doing this now since posting the OP following basic recs by article linked in OP via T Nation/Dr. Schoenfeld.

At this point, if I have noted any benefits, it's in the upper body. As mentioned before, I think the bands I'm using simply not strong enough to occlude the leg muscles for me, and I need some wraps as recommended by Brad Schoenfeld. Just haven't gotten them yet.

As for benefits, slightly fuller muscles, tad more strength in a few lifts, a few comments from people. I did not test body comp. The problem with this of course is it's n = 1 anecdotal evidence. Are the changes due to expectation bias and I just worked harder? Due to the higher reps which are new to the program and the occlusion aspect not additive? Something unrelated like a change in nutrition? That's why well controlled studies always essential to answer such Qs.

The one area I feel the most subjective benefit is in recoup. I feel like I recoup from workouts faster with less DOMs.

As for me, I'm going to continue doing it as the data is supportive generally and I enjoy it so far. My understanding is a study actually looking at effects in experienced lifters is coming out soon and positive effects found.

[Vic303]

I plan on using it in my post op window on the non-surgical arm, to get used to the process, and once released to do PT and to lift again, I will use it extensively on the arms, to improve my workouts with lighter weights, as I will not be able to lift heavy for a while.

I don't plan on using it with lower body work, as I will be able to ride the bike on the trainer, and do bodyweight type squats/split squats. I will try to post my experiences with it.

[WillBrink]

I plan on using it in my post op window on the non-surgical arm, to get used to the process, and once released to do PT and to lift again, I will use it extensively on the arms, to improve my workouts with lighter weights, as I will not be able to lift heavy for a while.

I don't plan on using it with lower body work, as I will be able to ride the bike on the trainer, and do bodyweight type squats/split squats. I will try to post my experiences with it.

Why not get the metabolic benefit of lower body? One study found 5 minutes on a treadmill with occlusion had benefits. You're occluding much more muscle mass with lower body and should get greater systemic metabolic effects.

[Vic303]

I dunno, Will. Never thought about doing the legs. Guess I could try an ace wrap.

[WillBrink]

I dunno, Will. Never thought about doing the legs. Guess I could try an ace wrap.

Greater % of occluded muscle should = greater systemic and metabolic effects.