TERMINOLOGY

3-Point Exercises

A set of 3 different exercises that form the basis of KAATSU Training or serve as a warm-up.

3-Point Exercises for Arms

A set of 3 different exercises for the arms that include 3–4 sets of Hand Clenches, 3–4 sets of Biceps Curls, and 3–4 sets of Triceps Extensions. The Hand Clenches can be done with hand grips if desired. The Biceps Curls can be done with light weights if desired. The Triceps Extensions can be done with light resistance if desire.

3-Point Exercises for Legs

A set of different exercises for the legs that include 3–4 sets of Toe Curls (performed without shoes), Toe Raises and Heel Raises. These exercises can also alternatively include Leg Extensions, Leg Curls, or Non-lock Squats.

All-Out

To exercise or do KAATSU Training with maximum effort.

Arterial Flow

The blood flow from the torso to the limbs. The arteries carry oxygen and nutrients away from the heart to the body's tissues.

BFM or Blood Flow Moderation

A reduction of arterial flow or venous flow caused by the tightening of pneumatic or non-pneumatic bands, wraps or blood pressure cuffs on the upper arms or upper legs.

BFR Bands

Narrow BFR (Blood Flow Restriction) Bands, either pneumatic or non-pneumatic, that are placed on the upper arms or upper legs and used with non-weight bearing exercises or rehabilitation, or with light resistance or loads. The combination of blood flow occlusion with BFR Bands and movement produce similar metabolic and hormonal results to high intensity training or exercising with high loads or high resistance without the BFR Bands. Its usage range from fitness gyms to clinical settings and range from athletic performance and wellness to rehabilitation and recovery. The original BFR Bands were KAATSU bands that were first created and developed by Dr. Yoshiaki Sato in 1966 and later tested on over 7,000 cardiac rehabilitation patients between 2004 and 2014 in Japan before expanding outside of Japan.

BFR or Blood Flow Restriction

Also known as occlusion training or tourniquet training. Blood flow restriction in the limbs is caused by the tightening of knee wraps, ropes, tubing, or blood pressure cuffs around the limbs. BFR is not KAATSU Training.

BFR Training

A technique where narrow BFR (Blood Flow Restriction) Bands, either pneumatic or non-pneumatic, are placed on the upper arms or upper legs and used with non-weight bearing exercises or rehabilitation, or with light resistance or loads. The combination of blood flow occlusion with movement produces similar metabolic and hormonal results to high intensity training or exercising with high loads or high resistance. Its applications are used from fitness gyms to clinical settings and range from athletic performance and wellness to rehabilitation and recovery. The original BFR Training is KAATSU that was first created and later developed by Dr. Yoshiaki Sato in 1966 and tested on over 7,000 cardiac rehabilitation patients between 2004 and 2014 in Japan before expanding outside of Japan.

BFR Training Program

A Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training program where narrow BFR Bands, either pneumatic or non-pneumatic, are placed on the upper arms or upper legs and used with non-weight bearing exercises or rehabilitation, or with light resistance or loads. The combination of blood flow occlusion with movement produces similar metabolic and hormonal results to high intensity training or exercising with high loads or high resistance. Its applications are used from fitness gyms to clinical settings and range from athletic performance and wellness to rehabilitation and recovery. The original BFR Training Program was KAATSU that was first created and developed by Dr. Yoshiaki Sato in 1966 and tested on over 7,000 cardiac rehabilitation patients between 2004 and 2014 in Japan before expanding outside of Japan.

BFR Workout

Workouts where narrow BFR (Blood Flow Restriction) Bands, either pneumatic or non-pneumatic, are placed on the upper arms or upper legs and used with non-weight bearing exercises or rehabilitation, or with light resistance or loads. The combination of blood flow occlusion with movement produces similar metabolic and hormonal results to high intensity training or exercising with high loads or high resistance. Its applications are used from fitness gyms to clinical settings and range from athletic performance and wellness to rehabilitation and recovery. The original BFR Workout is KAATSU that was first created and later developed by Dr. Yoshiaki Sato in 1966 and tested on over 7,000 cardiac rehabilitation patients between 2004 and 2014 in Japan before expanding outside of Japan.

Biceps Curls

Any type of weight training or resistance exercises or KAATSU Training that target the biceps branchii muscle where the hands are raised towards the shoulders until the forearms are vertical with the elbows and upper arm remaining close to the body.

Blood Flow Occlusion Training

A technique where narrow Blood Flow Occlusion Bands, either pneumatic or non-pneumatic, are placed on the upper arms or upper legs and used with non-weight bearing exercises or rehabilitation, or with light resistance or loads. The combination of blood flow occlusion with BFR movement produces similar metabolic and hormonal results to high intensity training or exercising with high loads or high resistance. Its usage ranges from fitness gyms to clinical settings. Its applications range include athletic performance, wellness, rehabilitation and recovery. The original Blood Flow Occlusion Training is KAATSU that was first created and later developed by Dr. Yoshiaki Sato in 1966 and tested on over 7,000 cardiac rehabilitation patients between 2004 and 2014 in Japan before expanding outside of Japan.

Blood Flow Restriction Bands

Narrow Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Bands, either pneumatic or non-pneumatic, that are placed on the upper arms or upper legs and used with non-weight bearing exercises or rehabilitation, or with light resistance or loads. The combination of blood flow occlusion with BFR Bands and movement produce similar metabolic and hormonal results to high intensity training or exercising with high loads or high resistance without the BFR Bands. Its usage ranges from fitness gyms to clinical settings. Its applications range include athletic performance, wellness, rehabilitation and recovery. The original Blood Flow Restriction Bands were KAATSU bands that were first created and developed by Dr. Yoshiaki Sato in 1966 and later tested on over 7,000 cardiac rehabilitation patients between 2004 and 2014 in Japan before expanding outside of Japan.

Blood Flow Restriction Training

A technique where narrow Blood Flow Resistance Training Bands, either pneumatic or non-pneumatic, are placed on the upper arms or upper legs and used with non-weight bearing exercises or rehabilitation, or with light resistance or loads. The combination of blood flow occlusion with Blood Flow Resistance movement produces similar metabolic and hormonal results to high intensity training or exercising with high loads or high resistance. Its usage ranges from fitness gyms to clinical settings. Its applications range include athletic performance, wellness, rehabilitation and recovery. The original Blood Flow Occlusion Training is KAATSU that was first created and later developed by Dr. Yoshiaki Sato in 1966 and tested on over 7,000 cardiac rehabilitation patients between 2004 and 2014 in Japan before expanding outside of Japan.

Capillary Refill Time or CRT

The time in seconds taken for color to return to an external capillary bed (e.g., in the palm of the hands or above the knee on the quadriceps) after pressure is applied by a thumb on the skin to purposefully cause temporary blanching.

Central Nervous System

The complex of nerve tissues in the brain and spinal cord that controls the activities of the body.

CNS

An acronym for Central Nervous System.

Constant Mode

Custom level of sustained pressure for a maximum of 10 minutes.

CRT

An acronym for Capillary Refill Time that is used in the KAATSU Master, KAATSU Master 2.0, KAATSU Wearables, KAATSU Nano or KAATSU Cycle equipment interface.

Custom SKU

Customizable range of pressure up to 400 SKU (Standard KAATSU Unit) on a KAATSU device.

Cycle

A patented 8-step process of releasing and applying pressure in the KAATSU AirBands. One Cycle includes the application of pressure for 30 seconds followed the subsequent release of pressure for 5 seconds. This is repeated 8 times in a KAATSU Cycle.

Distention of Veins

When veins become more visibly pronounced.

Disturbance of Homeostasis

The state when the body’s natural internal environmental variables become disturbed and feedback is initiated to the central nervous system due to the engorgement of blood caused by KAATSU Training.

Go to Failure

To continue exercising or moving until maximum effort has been reached and no more movement can be done or repetitions can be repeated. In contrast to technical failure, this local failure occurs in isolated movements like biceps curls or leg extensions.

Hand Clenches or Hand Grips

A KAATSU 3-point Exercise where the hand is opened and closed to work the muscles of the hands and forearms. It is part of the 3-point Exercises for the Arms.

Heel Raises

An exercise where the heels are raised from the floor while either sitting down or standing up. It is part of the 3-point Exercises for the Legs.

Hypertrophy or Muscular Hypertrophy

An increase in muscle mass that usually increases muscle size and strength. Traditionally, muscle hypertrophy is a result of strength training or weight training. Alternatively, muscle hypertrophy can be effectively achieved with BFR Training (or Blood Flow Occlusion Training, Blood Flow Restriction Training, Tourniquet Training or KAATSU).

KAATSU

A Japanese trademark meaning “additional pressure”, the original form of blood flow moderation training, rehabilitation and recovery invented and developed by Professor Sir Yoshiaki Sato, M.D., Ph.D.

KAATSU AirBands

Specialized pneumatic bands that are affixed to the arms or legs with Velcro. The air bladder inside the AirBands are inflated and deflated by the firmware of the KAATSU controllers.

KAATSU Aqua

KAATSU exercises or therapeutic movements performed in the water or in an aqua-therapy pool that are performed with the KAATSU AirBands.

KAATSU Arm Bands

Specialized pneumatic bands that are used around the upper arms for KAATSU Training.

KAATSU B-Series

Wearable devices built into KAATSU AirBands that provide 6 preset Cycle pressures and consecutive Cycle function up to 30 minutes and fully customizable Cycle and Constant pressures. The B-Series controllers are operated by the KAATSU Connect app on both iOS and Android. Each controller enables each limb to be simultaneously inflated to customized pressures. They are Bluetooth-enabled with real-time monitoring and archiving of physiological data and automatic KAATSU cloud storage of usage data. They feature easy-to-use pressures for users of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.

KAATSU C-Series

Portable and ruggedized water-resistant handheld controllers that provide 6 preset Cycle pressures and consecutive Cycle function up to 30 minutes and fully customizable Cycle and Constant pressures with 4 pneumatic KAATSU AirBands and the option to use Single-limb KAATSU. They are ideal for individuals, coaches, trainers, chiropractors, physical therapists, and caretakers that can be safely utilized anywhere, anytime including in the rain, snow, mud, dust, and sand for recovery, rehabilitation, and performance purposes for people of all ages, conditions, and walks of life.