KAATSU Aqua is a specialized form of KAATSU that I have long used to recover from my heart attack.
I use KAATSU Aqua to improve my speed, strength, stamina, and tactile feel. I use it to recover from vigorous workouts, intense competition, and travel fatigue. If I were injured, I would also use for rehabilitation from muscle, bone, ligament, and tendon injuries.
KAATSU Aqua can be performed while:
* swimming horizontally in the water, doing butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle, combat stroke, or sidestroke while fully submerged * treading water (e.g., eggbeatering) * walking, stretching, jogging vertically in the water while not fully submerged * using swimming or rehabilitation equipment (e.g., hand paddles, fins, kickboards, noodles, floating gear, stretch cords) * practicing racing starts or (flip) turns * passing, shooting, blocking (water polo) balls * performing strength-training or core-strengthening drills (e.g., with Bosu Balls)
The KAATSU AirBands are made of neoprene and are waterproof. However, the controller units for the KAATSU Cycle 2.0, KAATSU C3, KAATSU B1, and KAATSU B2 models are not waterproof and should not be submerged in the water.
KAATSU Aqua can be used to improve/enhance:
* upper body * lower body * core * lower back
KAATSU Aqua can be used by people who are water-safe:
* of all age * of any ability * of any walk of life
KAATSU Aqua should always be used in conjunction with the KAATSU Cycle mode. That is, do 3-6 KAATSU Cycle sets, starting at Low Pressure level, prior to starting KAATSU Aqua. KAATSU Aqua, by necessity, is always used in the KAATSU Constant mode. This means that KAATSU Aqua should be used for a maximum of 10 minutes on the arms and 10 minutes on the legs at any given time. The 10 minutes on the arms and 10 minutes on the legs can be performed consecutively and can be repeated if two KAATSU sessions are conducted within one 24-hour period.
It is important to understand the following:
* The KAATSU Cycle mode induces lower pain and less fatigue levels compared to the KAATSU Constant mode. * The KAATSU Cycle mode enhances the cognitive responses at a greater extent than the KAATSU Constant mode. * The KAATSU Cycle mode and the KAATSU Constant mode induce similarly advantageous lactate responses as a result of limb movement. * The KAATSU Cycle mode can help mitigate the effects of flight dysrhythmia (i.e., jet lag) when used before, during, and after a long-distance air flight.
The KAATSU AirBands and KAATSU Aqua Bands should always only be placed on two locations on the body:
* Upper arm: above the biceps, above the triceps, near the armpit, below the deltoids * Lower leg: above the quadriceps, above the hamstrings, high up on the groin at an angle along the swimsuit line
KAATSU Aqua Bands are designed to engorge the limbs (arms or legs) in blood due to the modification of venous flow (i.e., flow of blood from the limbs back to the torso). When performed properly and safely, the following phenomenon occur: * the skin color turns pink, rosy, or occasionally a beefy red color in some very fit individuals * a dissention (visual “popping out”) of the veins * a rapid increase in lactate in the working muscles
KAATSU Aqua equipment is not meant to do the following. If these phenomenon occur, the KAATSU Aqua Bands should be immediately removed:
* the skin color turns blue, gray, or white (that indicates a lack of blood flow to the limbs) * lightheadedness * uncomfortable feelings or sensations
Do’s and Don’ts
* always be well hydrated before and during your KAATSU session. * always start with your arm bands, and then finish with your leg bands. * always start on Low Pressure setting. * you can increase from Low Pressure to Medium Pressure and from Medium Pressure to High Pressure, if your Capillary Refill Time (CRT) is fast (e.g., 1-2 seconds). * to check your CRT on your arms, firmly press your thumb into your palm. Your skin will temporarily go white. If your skin returns to normal (i.e., the blood returns to your surface capillaries), within 1-2 seconds, you can increase the pressure settings from Low to Medium (or from Medium to High). * to check your CRT on your legs, firmly press your thumb into your thigh or your calf. Your skin will temporarily go white. * if your skin returns to normal (i.e., the blood returns to your surface capillaries), within 2-3 seconds, you can increase the pressure settings from Low to Medium or from Medium to High. * you can do KAATSU sessions 1-3 times per day, but only do KAATSU once per day during the first 1-2 weeks. * each KAATSU session can include sets on your arms, and then on your legs. * you can do up to 6 KAATSU Cycle sets on your arms, and then up to 6 KAATSU Cycle sets on your legs, during each KAATSU session. But in the beginning, it is best to do only 1-3 Cycle sets until your body adapts to KAATSU.