New Program Internationalizes Health And Fitness Research

ACSM And Japan-Based Sato Sports Plaza To Investigate New Muscle Training Methods

“In an effort to expand global health and fitness research and partnerships, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has formed an international science and health exchange to highlight scientific discovery and collaboration among international scientists. A research program with Sato Sports Plaza of Japan is the first major partnership in the ACSM initiative. The scientific collaboration will further examine the KAATSU Training™ method, developed by Sato and designed to increase muscle size and build strength with lighter weights and less stressful motions on muscles, joints and ligaments. ACSM, the world’s largest sports medicine and exercise organization, will act as a scientific research partner with Sato Sports Plaza helping facilitate international scientific discovery among ACSM researchers and scientists. KAATSU, which has been in development for more than 40 years in Japan, utilizes a special belt that when tightened near the joints of the upper arm or leg, applies pressure to the muscle through temporary blood-flow restriction. The method is being introduced in the United States, primarily among competitive athletes in training. The technique is also expected to be effective for older adults who may need to choose activities that limit physical stress to the body. ‘ACSM has always been at the forefront of scientific research and discovery, and that’s what this research is all about,’ said Mindy Millard-Stafford, Ph.D., FACSM, ACSM president. ‘We’re committed to being the world’s knowledge leader on new breakthroughs in physical activity and fitness, and are privileged to be able to conduct this program with Sato Sports Plaza. We encourage more collaborations like this, to make new discoveries in health and fitness a global effort.’ Research with Sato Sports Plaza is one of many international initiatives undertaken by ACSM, which provides health and fitness certifications to professionals worldwide and is expanding its Exercise is Medicine™ program beyond the United States. Exercise is Medicine™ is designed to encourage physicians to advise patients about the importance of physical activity, and ‘prescribe’ exercise as part of every treatment plan.”

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