• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.447-454
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical effects of blood flow regulation exercise for improving patients' health care and its usefulness as a rehabilitation model for various diseases by analyzing and examining the existing literature. A literature review of Korean academic journals published over a 10-year period, from 2010 to 2019, was conducted using words such as "blood flow regulation," "blood flow restriction," "low-intensity exercise," and "Kaatsu." Kaatsu is a blood flow regulation exercise developed in 1966 by Dr. Yoshiaki Sato of Japan. It is an efficient and effective exercise method that uses blood flow regulation bands that increase the secretion of growth hormones to develop muscles within a short time, improves blood circulation and metabolism to prevent and improve adult diseases, shortens the rehabilitation period, and improves cardiovascular function. The study participants consisted of 10 patients, of whom four were elderly, four had obesity, one was a stroke patient, and one was a trauma patient. The results of this study show that the blood flow regulation exercise, which is a low-intensity exercise, has the same effect as high-intensity exercise, which supports the evidence that it is a highly efficient exercise method for muscle development and rehabilitation of the elderly, adolescents, and patients with injuries who have difficulty in general exercising. For future studies, further reviews are necessary to verify the effectiveness of the exercise method according to blood flow regulation site and type of disease.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.30-37
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• 2020

[Purpose] The present study investigated the effect of endurance exercise with blood flow restriction (BFR) performed at either 25% maximal oxygen uptake (${\dot{V}}O_2$ max) or 40% ${\dot{V}}O_2$ max) on muscle oxygenation, energy metabolism, and endocrine responses. [Methods] Ten males were recruited in the present study. The subjects performed three trials: (1) endurance exercise at 40% ${\dot{V}}O_2$ max without BFR (NBFR40), (2) endurance exercise at 25% ${\dot{V}}O_2$ max with BFR (BFR25), and (3) endurance exercise at 40% ${\dot{V}}O_2$ max with BFR (BFR40). The exercises were performed for 15 min during which the pedaling frequency was set at 70 rpm. In BFR25 and BFR40, 2 min of pressure phase (equivalent to 160 mmHg) followed by 1 min of release phase were repeated five times (5 × 3 min) throughout 15 minutes of exercise. During exercise, muscle oxygenation and concentration of respiratory gases were measured. The blood samples were collected before exercise, immediately after 15 min of exercise, and at 15, 30, and 60 minutes after completion of exercise. [Results] Deoxygenated hemoglobin (deoxy-Hb) level during exercise was significantly higher with BFR25 and BFR40 than that with NBFR40. BFR40 showed significantly higher total-hemoglobin (total-Hb) than NBFR40 during 2 min of pressure phase. Moreover, exercise-induced lactate elevation and pH reduction were significantly augmented in BFR40, with concomitant increase in serum cortisol concentration after exercise. Carbohydrate (CHO) oxidation was significantly higher with BFR40 than that with NBFR40 and BFR25, whereas fat oxidation was lower with BFR40. [Conclusion] Deoxy-Hb and total Hb levels were significantly increased during 15 min of pedaling exercise in BFR25 and BFR40, indicating augmented local hypoxia and blood volume (blood perfusion) in the muscle. Moreover, low-and moderate-intensity exercise with BFR facilitated CHO oxidation.