KAATSU training improves the femoris quadriceps muscle brightness in postoperative patients with valvular heart disease

The purpose of this study was to examine whether KAATSU training improves femoris quadriceps muscle brightness in postoperative patients with valvular heart disease. The subjects were five patients (65.2 ± 10.1 years old; three males and two females; two with aortic stenosis, one with aortic regurgitation, and two with mitral regurgitation) after valvular heart surgery. KAATSU training was performed twice a week for 3 months after cardiac operation, and the patients were evaluated before and 3 months after the start of training. Grip strength and knee extension strength were measured. The mid-thigh was imaged in the resting supine position using an ultrasound imaging system, and the femoris quadriceps muscle brightness was calculated using image analysis software (ImageJ). The anterior thigh muscle thickness was defined as the thickness of the rectus femoris and anterior vastus intermedius muscles in the resting supine position at the center and anterior surface of the femur. The results showed a significant increase in knee extension strength and anterior thigh muscle thickness and a significant decrease in femoris quadriceps muscle brightness (61.0 ± 14.9 vs. 55.2 ± 14.8 a.u., p = 0.049) after 3 months of training compared to before training. The results suggest that KAATSU training is effective not only for improving skeletal muscle mass but also muscle quality index.