Vasper system-training/rehab at NASA

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

First, some links...

 http://www.eahops.com/2011/06/nasa-astronaut-in-training.htm l

http://www.vasper.com/what-others-are-saying/reviews/

 http://espn.go.com/espnw/training/workouts/6254237/my-revolu tionary-nasa-workout

My co-worker's husband is sort of on the techno cutting-edge of anatomy and physiology technology...hard to explain, but if you want details, I can provide them. Anyway, he had a chance to do four workouts in the Vasper system and is raving about it.  Now my co-worker, who has a messed up back these past two months-plus is going to do a series of Vasper workouts.

There are a few core components to the system.

1. cooling and compression of the extremities and core during short-term exercise. 

2. cooling of the spine after the workout is over....

---not sure I grok exactly what this is for.

3. electrical stimulation of the body "the tesla generator" (I hate catchy terms like that)  during the cool-down.

Here's their "Five Points"...lifted from their website

                            Provide maximum available oxygen to the body.
Gradual reduction of core body temperature = �FLYWHEEL EFFECT�.
Lowered core body temperature 
INCREASES the amplitude between Nodes of Ranvier. The Stronger the pulse
 = stronger signal to muscle fibers = stronger muscle contraction = MORE
 POWER.
Vascular Compression safely 
and precisely compresses blood vessels.   Through vascular compression 
the Pituitary gland is stimulated to secrete additional levels of HGH.  
Higher levels of HGH have three major benefits: development of new 
muscle cells; increase in energy and metabolism; strengthening of joints
 and ligaments and shorter recovery time between workouts.
Grounded to the Earth.  When a person is electrically 
connected to the Earth, there are neutral electrons which enter the body
 and promote electromagnetic balance which strengthens the immune 
system.  At the same time the oxidant producing static electricity is 
released to the ground, resulting in the neutral electromagnetic charge 
which promotes normal physiology function.

--------

Totally do not get #1, in fact they are DENYING oxygen during exercise.

#2, catchy term, but so what?

#3. uh....I think this is bullshit and is reeks of using one or two physiological terms to make an idea sound plausible. "amplitude"  I assume means electrical potential amplitude in the nodes.  Local cooling would, if anything, SLOW the movement of ions over the neural membrane, not speed it up, and that would reduce the amplitude, not increase it.

#4. vascular compression  causes increased HGH secretion...OK, here we are on to something that actually makes some sense. There IS link between lactic acid buildup and HGH.  Now, is there a good link between skyrocketing local concentrations of lactic acid through cooling and compression to limit bloodflow, and general HGH secretion?  Dunno. But at least this part makes sense.

#5. Oh give me a break.  So don't wear rubber soled shoes...

---------

That's my take on it. But gotta say, there are a bunch of people who think this stuff is the be-all, end-all.  If I had a screwed up knee or something and needed to "get fixed up"  I might think about going in for this. I hear it's $50 for a single workout session at NASA-Ames. I assume you are signing on for letting your response data be part of an experiment, when you go.

Thoughts?