Sauna Bathing Research Articles

Sauna-like conditions or menthol treatment reduce tau phosphorylation through mild hyperthermia

In Alzheimer's disease (AD), hyper-phosphorylation and aggregation of tau correlate with clinical progression and represent a valid therapeutic target. A recent 20-year prospective study revealed an association between moderate to high frequency of Finnish sauna bathing and a lower incidence of dementia and AD, but the molecular mechanisms underlying these benefits remain uncertain. Here, we tested the hypothesis that sauna-like conditions could lower tau phosphorylation by increasing body temperature. We observed a decrease in tau phosphorylation in wild-type and hTau mice as well as in neuron-like cells when exposed to higher temperatures. These effects were correlated with specific changes in phosphatase and kinase activities, but not with inflammatory or heat shock responses. We also used a drug strategy to promote thermogenesis: topical application of menthol, which led to a sustained increase in body temperature in hTau mice, concomitant with a significant decrease in tau phosphorylation. Our results suggest that sauna-like conditions or menthol treatment could lower tau pathology through mild hyperthermia, and may provide promising therapeutic strategies for AD and other tauopathies.

The Immediate Effect of Steam Bath and Sauna Bath on Heart Rate Variability and Body Composition in Obese Individuals: A Comparative Study

Aim: The present study was designed to evaluate and compare the immediate effects of steam bath and sauna bath on body composition and Heart Rate Variabilities in individuals with obesity.
 Study Design: Prospective randomised comparative trial.
 Materials and Methods: Participants visiting Shantivana Nature cure hospital with age ranging from 18 to 32, without any comorbidities and Body Mass Index (BMI) more than 31 kg/m2 were appraised about the study protocol and after getting informed consent were divided into Steam bath group (n = 50) and Sauna bath group (n = 50) and were administered one sitting of Steam bath and sauna bath for 15 minutes. The Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and Body Fat Analyser data was recorded before and after one sitting of treatment. The data was analysed using JASP (version 0.14.1.0) software and parametric and non-parametric tests were employed based on the normal distribution. 
 Results: Marked changes were observed in BMI (p= 0.022), Total Body Water (TBW; p<0.0001), Heart Rate (HR; p= 0.002), RR Interval (p< 0.001), NN50 (p=0.013), pNN50 (p=0.0001), variables in the Steam bath group after comparing with the baseline. In the Sauna bath group significant changes (in %) were seen in Body weight (BW; p<0.001), BMI (p<0.001), Free-Fat Mass (FFM; p= 0.004), Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR; p< 0.001), Systolic Blood Pressure SBP; p= 0.008), HR (p<0.001), Mean RR (p<0.0001), RMSSD (p=0.005), pNN50 (p<0.0001), Very low frequency (VLF; p<0.0001), Low Frequency (LF; p<0.001), High Frequency (HF; p<0.001), LF/HF (p<0.001). When comparing steam bath with sauna bath group, the variables Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP; p=0.002), HR (p= 0.021), RMSSD (p<0.001), RMSSD (p<0.001), NN50 (p<0.001), pNN50 (p<0.001), VLF (p<0.001) showed significant changes.
 Conclusion: The present study concludes that single dose of steam bath and sauna bath reduces the body weight by acting on the total body water percentage, reduces diastolic blood pressure, and causes vagal dominance. Sauna bath also increases basal metabolic rate which further helps in improving metabolism in the body and further helps in reducing body weight.

Infrared sauna as exercise-mimetic? Physiological responses to infrared sauna vs exercise in healthy women: A randomized controlled crossover trial

BackgroundPassive heat therapies have been reported to have similar effects on the cardiovascular system as exercise. Studies supporting these findings in healthy populations have predominantly been done with men using warm water immersions or traditional saunas, rather than newer infrared-based saunas. ObjectiveTo explore short-term thermal and cardiovascular responses in women using an infrared sauna as compared to moderate-intensity exercise. Study designRandomized controlled crossover trial with balanced allocations. SettingBrisbane, Australia (August 2019 - March 2020) ParticipantsTen healthy women (36 ± 9 years) Interventions45 min of resting, infrared sauna or indoor bicycling Primary outcome measurestympanic/skin temperatures; respiratory rate; blood pressure; arterial stiffness; heart rate variability ResultsTympanic temperatures were elevated during infrared sauna as compared to both control (mean diff = +1.05 oC ± SEM 0.12 oC, 95% C.I.: 0.73 – 1.36, p < 0.0005) and exercise (mean diff = +0.79 oC ± SEM 0.12 oC, 95% C.I.: 0.49 – 1.08, p < 0.0005). Respiratory rates were higher during exercise as compared to both control (mean diff = +7.66 ± SEM 1.37, 95% C.I.: 4.09 – 11.23, p < 0.0005) and infrared sauna (mean diff = +6.66 ± SEM 1.33, 95% C.I.: 3.20 – 10.11, p < 0.0005). No significant differences in non-invasive measures of blood pressure, arterial stiffness or heart rate variability were detected between any of the interventions. ConclusionsThese findings suggest the physiological effects of infrared sauna bathing are underpinned by thermoregulatory-induced responses, more so than exercise-mimetic cardiorespiratory or cardiovascular activations.

Sauna habits/bathing and changes in lower urinary tract symptoms – Tampere Ageing Male Urologic Study (TAMUS)

Objective To evaluate the effect of sauna bathing on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in a Finnish population-based cohort. Methods A mail survey was sent to a population-based cohort of 50-, 60-, and 70-year-old men in 1994 followed by repeat questionnaires in 1999 and 2004. The evaluation of ten different types of LUTS was based on Danish Prostatic Symptom Score (DAN-PSS-1). The weekly frequency of sauna bathing was assessed in the first questionnaire and divided into three subgroups (0–1, 2, and ≥3). The prevalence, incidence, and remission rate of each LUTS was assessed based on the initial and follow-up assessments. In addition, the mean DAN-PSS-1 symptoms score, medication for LUTS, and operative treatment were determined at each time-point. Chi-square test, a linear-by-linear test, and binary logistic regression analysis were used to assess statistical significance. Results The population-based cohort included initially 3,163, men of whom 1,306 (41.3%) responded to all three questionnaire rounds and were included in the analysis. There was no clear association between sauna bathing frequency and prevalence of the nine LUTS, nor with incidence and remission rates. The only exception was feelings of incomplete emptying, with lower prevalence associated with frequent sauna bathing. There were no clear differences in the medications or operations for LUTS by sauna bathing habits. Conclusion Based on our results, sauna bathing does not affect LUTS development or natural history in the long-term.

The Prevalence of Use of Various Post-Exercise Recovery Methods after Training among Elite Endurance Athletes.

There is now compelling evidence of the effectiveness of a range of post-exercise recovery techniques, including extended nights of sleep, cold water immersion, massage, and compression garments. Currently, limited information is available on post-exercise recovery methods used by elite endurance athletes. Therefore, this study investigated the actual methods of recovery used in this group of athletes. Google Forms were used to collect information on the recovery methods used by elite endurance track and field athletes (n = 153, 61.4% men, 38.6% women; average age: 22.7 ± 4.6 years). The most used methods of recovery were sauna bathing (96.7%), massage (86.9%), daytime nap (81.0%), and long night sleep (at least 9h) (61.4%). Recovery methods with proven effectiveness such as cold water immersion and compression garments were rarely used (15.0% and 7.8%, respectively). Overall, recovery methods were used more often when the tiers of the track and field athletes were higher. Massage and sauna bathing were the most used methods of post-exercise recovery among Russian endurance track and field athletes. In most cases, they were used in conjunction with short daytime nap and long night sleep. Higher tier athletes were more likely to use sauna bathing, massage, long night sleep, and daytime nap but not cold water immersion and compression garments as recovery methods; however, all these methods except for cold water immersion were widely used among elite-tier athletes.

Hematological Adaptations to Post-Exercise Sauna Bathing with No Fluid Intake: A Randomized Cross-Over Study

ABSTRACT Purpose: Sauna bathing is recommended to improve the sports training process, yet empirical evidence confirming its effectiveness is still inconclusive. We examined the effects of post-exercise sauna bathing on hematological adaptations and exercise capacity in healthy men. Methods: Thirteen physical education students participated in randomized cross-over study: two, 4-week interventions, with 10-week washout. The interventions involved 3 times per week 60-min stationary cycling either with 30-min of post-exercise sauna bathing (89 ± 3°C, 10 ± 2% RH) or without; no fluid was ingested during both exercise and sauna sessions. Before and after both interventions, participants were tested for total hemoglobin mass (tHb-mass), intravascular volumes, erythropoietin, ferritin, red blood cell parameters with reticulocyte fractions, along with maximal/peak and submaximal variables in a graded exercise test (GXT). Results: Regardless of intervention type, tHb-mass increased (p = .014) whereas ferritin concentration decreased (p = .027); however, changes in tHb-mass were within the range of typical error (<1.8%). Absolute and relative values of maximal power and power at gas exchange threshold, as well as peak oxygen uptake (all p < .010), also increased irrespective of intervention type. Conclusions: The use of post-exercise sauna bathing with fluid intake restrictions does not provide any additional benefits in tested variables over endurance training alone. Thus, further evidence is required before recommendations to utilize this post-exercise conditioning strategy are deemed valid.

Assembling a Geography of Diplomatic Sociability: The Case of Finland’s Sauna Diplomacy

Sauna bathing, the traditional form of Finnish sweat bathing, has been an inseparable part of Finnish culture and everyday life for thousands of years. Sauna culture has also played such a central role in Finnish diplomacy that the term sauna diplomacy has been coined to describe this intimate relationship. There has been little academic research on sauna diplomacy to date, however. Considering this research gap, this study presents the author’s personal experience in the Finnish Foreign Service, as well as interviews with Finnish diplomats and guests of the Finnish embassy sauna in Ankara, Turkey, as illustrations of Finnish sauna diplomacy as a site and form of diplomatic sociability. Through the lens of assemblage theory, it is argued that affective atmospheres of sauna diplomacy are engineered through the coconstitution of human and nonhuman elements, that this process of assembling creates spaces of intimate social interaction that may be manipulated for diplomatic ends, and that there are disconnections and limitations that should be addressed to create more inclusive diplomatic (sauna) spaces.

Standalone sauna vs exercise followed by sauna on cardiovascular function in non-naïve sauna users: A comparison of acute effects.

Background and aimsSauna bathing and aerobic exercise have each been shown to affect cardiovascular function. However, direct comparisons between standalone sauna bathing and a combination of exercise and sauna on vascular indices remain limited. Therefore, we conducted a cross‐over study using matched durations to explore the hemodynamic changes of sauna exposure when compared to a combination of aerobic exercise and sauna exposure.MethodsParticipants (N = 72) with at least one cardiovascular risk factor underwent, on two separate occasions: (a) a 30‐minute sauna at 75°C (SAUNA) and (b) the combination of a 15‐minute cycling exercise at 75% maximum heart rate followed by 15‐minute sauna exposure (EX+SAUNA). Relative changes to arterial stiffness (PWV), augmentation index (Alx), brachial systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), central SBP (cSBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and heart rate (HR) were compared PRE‐POST and pre‐ to 30‐minutes post‐intervention (PRE‐POST30).ResultsBaseline SBP and DBP were 143 (SD 18) mmHg and 86 (SD 10) mmHg, respectively. From PRE‐POST, SAUNA had lower DBP (mean difference [95% CI] 2.5 [1.0, 4.1], P = .002) and MAP (2.5 [0.6, 4.3], P = .01). However, EX+SAUNA had lower SBP (−2.7 [−4.8, −0.5], P = .02), DBP (−1.8 [−3.3, −0.4], P = .01), and MAP (−2.0 [−3.5, −0.5], P = .009) PRE‐POST30. There were no statistically significant differences between SAUNA and EX+SAUNA for other measured parameters.ConclusionThis study demonstrated that when matched for duration, EX+SAUNA and SAUNA elicit comparable acute hemodynamic alterations in middle‐aged participants with cardiovascular risk factors. The sauna is a suitable option for acute blood pressure reductions in those who are unable to perform aerobic exercise, and may be a viable lifestyle treatment option to improve blood pressure control.

Positive and negative aspects of sauna bathing – current knowledge status

Introduction: Sauna bathing as a health-promoting activity has been known to mankind for millennia. Sauna session, which consists of alternate overheating and then rapidly cooling the body, has a beneficial effect on the health of the body confirmed by scientific research. In the last few decades, sauna bathing has become more available due to the growing market of recreational services such as water parks and sauna parks. Regular use of sauna bathing reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, mental stress, accelerates the process of regeneration after physical exertion, as well as increases resistance to the harmful effects of certain environmental factors. Despite the health benefits known for many years, the physiological mechanisms occurring in the body during sauna sessions still remain unknown. Sauna bathing treatments can be an effective complement to the process of treatment and rehabilitation of patients with cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, respiratory tract diseases, skin diseases and many others.&#x0D; Material and methods: A literature analysis on sauna bathing was carried out within the Pubmed and Google scholar platforms. The following keywords were used in search: sauna bathing, infrared sauna, cardiovascular diseases. &#x0D; Purpose of the work: The aim of the following analysis is to present a historical outline of the use of sauna bathing, the health aspect, risks and the assumptions and indicating an important need for further research into the effects of sauna bathing on the body.

3-Week passive acclimation to extreme environmental heat (100± 3°C) in dry sauna increases physical and physiological performance among young semi-professional football players.

This manuscript aims to evaluate the influence of a novel passive heat acclimation program among human participants in the physical performance, as well as in several physiological parameters. 36 male football players were acclimated using a dry sauna bath to extreme hot (100±3°C), performing a total of nine sauna sessions with a weekly frequency of three sessions. The players were randomly into the sauna group (SG; n=18; age: 20.69±2.09 years) and the control group (CG; n=18; age: 20.23±1.98 years). All participants performed maximal effort test until exhaustion as well as hamstring flexibility test before and after the acclimation program. Anthropometric, respiratory, circulatory, hematological and physiological variables were evaluated at the beginning and at the end of the survey. Statistical analysis consisted of a Mann-Whitney U test to determine differences between groups at the beginning and at the end of the survey and a Wilcoxon test for paired samples to compare the differences for each group separately. Additionally, size effects of the pre-post acclimation changes were calculated. After the acclimation program SG participants experienced a diminution in body weight (p<0.01), body mass index (p<0.01), body fat (p<0.05) and fat percentage (p<0.05) decreased. Hamstring flexibility (p<0.05) and work capacity (p<0.05) increased. External basal temperature decreased (p<0.05) as well as post-exercise systolic and diastolic blood pressures (p<0.05). Finally, maximal oxygen uptake (ml Kg-1 min-1) (p<0.05), maximal minute ventilation (p<0.05) and maximal breath frequency (p<0.05) increased at the end of the intervention. There were no significant changes in the CG in any variable. Favorable adaptations have been observed in this survey, suggesting a beneficial effect of extreme heat acclimation on physical performance. Several of the observed responses seem interesting for sport performance and health promotion as well. However, this is a novel, extreme protocol which requires further research.

Sex differences in adaptation to intermittent post-exercise sauna bathing in trained middle-distance runners

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of sex on the efficacy of intermittent post-exercise sauna bathing to induce heat acclimation and improve markers of temperate exercise performance in trained athletes.MethodsTwenty-six trained runners (16 female; mean ± SD, age 19 ± 1 years, V̇O2max F: 52.6 ± 6.9 mL⋅kg−1⋅min−1, M: 64.6 ± 2.4 mL⋅kg−1⋅min−1) performed a running heat tolerance test (30 min, 9 km⋅h−1/2% gradient, 40 °C/40%RH; HTT) and temperate (18 °C) exercise tests (maximal aerobic capacity [V̇O2max] and lactate profile) pre and post 3 weeks of normal exercise training plus 29 ± 1 min post-exercise sauna bathing (101–108 °C) 3 ± 1 times per week.ResultsFemales and males exhibited similar reductions (interactions p > 0.05) in peak rectal temperature (− 0.3 °C; p < 0.001), skin temperature (− 0.9 °C; p < 0.001) and heart rate (− 9 beats·min−1; p = 0.001) during the HTT at post- vs pre-intervention. Only females exhibited an increase in active sweat glands on the forearm (measured via modified iodine technique; F: + 57%, p < 0.001; M: + 1%, p = 0.47). Conversely, only males increased forearm blood flow (measured via venous occlusion plethysmography; F: + 31%, p = 0.61; M: + 123%; p < 0.001). Females and males showed similar (interactions p > 0.05) improvements in V̇O2max (+ 5%; p = 0.02) and running speed at 4 mmol·L−1 blood lactate concentration (+ 0.4 km·h−1; p = 0.001).ConclusionsThree weeks of post-exercise sauna bathing effectively induces heat acclimation in females and males, though possibly amid different thermoeffector adaptations. Post-exercise sauna bathing is also an effective ergogenic aid for both sexes.

Covid-19 and the next outbreak: decreasing frailty by using mild stress?

The coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has resulted in many deaths, particularly of very old or obese people. These people are at risk to die in the event of an outbreak, like under one-year old babies were at risk to die one century ago from various diseases. It is argued that mild stress could help people to resist new outbreaks. The people who are obese because of bad feeding habits (snacking, junk food, overfeeding) and inactivity should adopt more healthy behaviours. Because an inactive way of life at old age can increase frailty, physical and mental activities should be kept at the highest possible level in elderly people, particularly if they live in retirement homes. In the event of an outbreak, management staff of these homes should not confine residents in their room for weeks or months, as it can increase inactivity, under-nutrition, sarcopenia, and depressive symptoms. People with or without co-morbidities should be active and one could wonder whether other mild stresses such as sauna bathing could help to better resist infection.

The Effect of Medium-Term Sauna-Based Heat Acclimation (MPHA) on Thermophysiological and Plasma Volume Responses to Exercise Performed under Temperate Conditions in Elite Cross-Country Skiers.

The influence of a series of ten sauna baths (MPHA) on thermophysiological and selected hematological responses in 14 elite cross-country skiers to a submaximal endurance exercise test performed under thermoneutral environmental conditions was studied. Thermal and physiological variables were measured before and after the exercise test, whereas selected hematological indices were studied before, immediately after, and during recovery after a run, before (T1) and after sauna baths (T2). MPHA did not influence the baseline internal, body, and skin temperatures. There was a decrease in the resting heart rate (HR: p = 0.001) and physiological strain (PSI: p = 0.052) after MPHA and a significant effect of MPHA on systolic blood pressure (p = 0.03), hematological indices, and an exercise effect but no combined effect of treatments and exercise on the tested variables. A positive correlation was reported between PSI and total protein (%ΔTP) in T2 and a negative between plasma volume (%ΔPV) and mean red cellular volume (%ΔMCV) in T1 and T2 in response to exercise and a positive one during recovery. This may suggest that MPHA has a weak influence on body temperatures but causes a moderate decrease in PSI and modifications of plasma volume restoration in response to exercise under temperate conditions in elite athletes.

Finnish Sauna Bathing and Vascular Function in Adults with Coronary Artery Disease: Preliminary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Regular Finnish sauna use is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular mortality. However, mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unknown. Other forms of heat therapy have been shown to improve markers of vascular function in healthy young adults as well as in middle-aged adults with cardiovascular risk factors and older adults with chronic heart failure. Nevertheless, no experimental study has addressed the effects of regular Finnish sauna use on vascular function. This study tested the hypothesis that an 8-week Finnish sauna intervention improves vascular function in adults with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) Methods Fourteen middle-aged to older adults (61 ± 7 years, 12 men/2 women) with stable CAD and naïve to heat therapy were randomized to 8 weeks of Finnish sauna (4 sessions/week, 20-30 min/session) (SAUNA, n=7) or maintenance of habitual lifestyle (CTRL, n=7). Before and after the intervention, resting blood pressure, brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and cutaneous vasodilation during local heating at 39°C were measured. Brachial artery FMD was used as an index of conduit artery endothelial function, peak and area under the curve (AUC) of forearm vascular conductance (FVC) during reactive hyperemia were used as indices of peripheral microvascular reactivity and the plateau of cutaneous vascular conductance, expressed as percentage of maximal (%CVC) during local heating, was used as an index of skin microvascular reactivity. Results Resting systolic (P for interaction = 0.55) and diastolic blood pressure (P for interaction = 0.56) were not different between interventions. Contrary to our hypothesis, no effect of the sauna intervention was observed on FMD (SAUNA pre to post: 4.2 ± 2.4 to 4.5 ± 2.1%, CTRL pre to post: 5.0 ± 1.8 to 4.3 ± 2.1%, P for interaction = 0.37). Peripheral microvascular reactivity decreased following the SAUNA intervention and increased following CTRL, according to peak FVC (SAUNA pre to post: 2.7 ± 1.2 to 2.3. ± 1.2 ml/min/mmHg, CTRL pre to post: 3.2 ± 0.6 to 3.9 ± 0.7 ml/min/mmHg, P for interaction = 0.03) and FVC-AUC (SAUNA pre to post: 1.4 ± 0.6 to 1.1 ± 0.6 ml/mmHg, CTRL pre to post: 1.7 ± 0.5 to 2.1 ± 0.5 ml/mmHg, P for interaction = 0.03). However, within group changes in both peak FVC and FVC-AUC were not significant (all P > 0.06). No effect of either intervention was observed on %CVC (P for interaction = 0.33). Conclusion These results suggest that 4 sessions of Finnish sauna bathing per week for 8 weeks does not improve markers of macro- or microvascular function in middle-aged to older adults with stable CAD.

Effects of Twelve Sessions of High-Temperature Sauna Baths on Body Composition in Healthy Young Men.

The health benefits of sauna baths are attracting ever-increasing interest. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of 12 high-temperature (100 °C) sauna baths on body composition of 23 healthy young men, divided into a control group (CG) and a sauna group (SG). Both groups were initially evaluated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), after which the SG experienced 12 sessions of sauna baths at high temperatures (100 °C). Initial measurements were carried out after the sauna sessions and after two weeks of decay in both groups. The muscle mass of the right leg (pre vs. decay: 9.50 (5.59) vs. 10.52 (5.15); p < 0.05; Δ 1.07%), bone mineral density (pre vs. post: 1.221 (0.35) vs. 1.315 (0.45); p < 0.05; Δ 7.7%) and bone mineral content (pre vs. post: 0.470 (0.21) vs. 0.499 (0.22); p < 0.05; Δ 6.17%) of the left leg increased in the SG after the sauna baths. It seems that exposure to heat at high temperatures could produce improvements in bone and muscle mass.

Attenuated Risk of Pneumonia Due to Inflammation by Frequent Sauna Baths: A PROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY.

Inflammatory pathways are involved in the pathogenesis of pneumonia. Frequent sauna sessions may reduce the risk of respiratory tract infections including pneumonia independent of inflammation. We aimed to evaluate the independent and joint associations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and frequency of sauna bathing (FSB) with risk of pneumonia in a prospective cohort study. Serum hsCRP as an inflammatory marker was measured using an immunometric assay and FSB was assessed by self-reported sauna bathing habits at baseline in 2264 men aged 42-61 yr. Serum hsCRP was categorized as normal and high (≤3 and >3 mg/L, respectively) and FSB as low and high (defined as ≤1 and 2-7 sessions/wk, respectively). Multivariable-adjusted HRs (CIs) were calculated for incident pneumonia. A total of 528 cases of pneumonia occurred during a median follow-up of 26.6 yr. Comparing high versus normal hsCRP, the multivariable-adjusted risk for pneumonia was HR = 1.30 (95% CI, 1.04-1.62). The corresponding risk was HR = 0.79 (95% CI, 0.66-0.95) comparing high versus low FSB. Compared with men with normal hsCRP and low FSB, high hsCRP and low FSB was associated with an increased risk of pneumonia in multivariable analysis (HR = 1.67: 95% CI, 1.21-2.29), with no evidence of an association for high hsCRP and high FSB and pneumonia (HR = 0.94: 95% CI, 0.69-1.29). In a general middle-aged to older male Caucasian population, frequent sauna baths attenuated the increased risk of pneumonia due to inflammation.

Endocrine Effects of Repeated Hot Thermal Stress and Cold Water Immersion in Young Adult Men.

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of repeated hot thermal stress and cold water immersion on the endocrine system of young adult men with moderate and high levels of physical activity (PA). The research was conducted on 30 men aged 19–26 years (mean: 22.67 ± 2.02) who attended four sauna sessions of 12 min each (temperature: 90−91°C; relative humidity: 14–16 %). Each sauna session was followed by a 6-min cool-down break during which the participants were immersed in cold water (10−11°C) for 1 min. Testosterone (TES), cortisol (COR), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), and prolactin (PRL) levels were measured before and after the sauna bath. The participants’ PA levels were evaluated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Serum COR levels decreased significantly (p < .001) from 13.61 to 9.67 µg/ml during 72 min of sauna treatment. No significant changes (p >.05) were noted in the concentrations of the remaining hormones: TES increased from 4.04 to 4.24 ng/ml, DHEA-S decreased from 357.5 to 356.82 µg/ml, and PRL decreased from 14.50 to 13.71 ng/ml. After sauna, a greater decrease in COR concentrations was observed in males with higher baseline COR levels, whereas only a minor decrease was noted in participants with very low baseline COR values (r =−0.673, p <.001). Repeated use of Finnish sauna induces a significant decrease in COR concentrations, but does not cause significant changes in TES, DHEA-S, or PRL levels. Testosterone concentrations were higher in men characterized by higher levels of PA, both before and after the sauna bath.

Implementation Of Diabetic Foot Spa And Sauna Bathing On Quality Of Sleep And Blood Glucose Levels In Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes

Background: Diabetes is a chronic disease of glucose metabolism, which causes blood circulation obstruction such as tingling and leg pain, and itching. This study aims to determine the effect of diabetic foot spa and sauna bathing on sleep quality and blood glucose levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Methods: The design used a quasi-experimental. This study's population was all individuals with type 2 diabetes, applied simple random sampling, and a sample size of 60 respondents. The inclusion criteria were individuals with type 2 diabetes who did not have complications. The independent variables were sleep quality and blood glucose levels. The dependent variables were diabetic foot spa and sauna bathing. The instrument used a Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PQSI) and a glucometer. The data analysis test utilized the paired t-test and independent t-test with a p-value of 0.000 (p &lt;0.005). Results: The results of this study showed that 60 respondents, mostly (70%) women, 58.3% were aged 45- 60 years, almost half of the respondents (48.3%) had diabetes for less than one year up to five years and from the results t-test obtained p=0.000 (p &lt;0.05). Conclusion: There was an effect of diabetic foot spa and sauna bathing on sleep quality and blood glucose levels

Vliv kryoterapie a saunování na 24hodinové hodnoty krevního tlaku zdravých osob

Cíl: Zhodnotit vliv saunování a celotělové kryoterapie na 24hodinový profil krevního tlaku a srdeční frekvence a porovnat jejich hodnoty před působením tepla nebo chladu a bezprostředně po jejich působení. Metodika: Bylo provedeno sedmidenní ambulantní monitorování krevního tlaku (TK) a srdeční frekvence (SF). Celkově bylo sledováno 20 dobrovolníků (deset mužů a deset žen, průměrný věk 24,60 &#177; 1,93 roku). Pprobandů byla 70,45 &#177; 9,90 kg, výška 1,74 &#177; 7,71 m, Každý proband absolvoval během jednoho dne dvě saunové procedury ve finské sauně a s odstupem minimálně 48 hodin absolvoval jednorázový vstup do celotělové kryokomory. TK a SF byly změřeny vždy před vstupem do sauny nebo do kryokomory a ihned po jejich opuštění. V rámci sedmidenního ambulantního monitorování byly sledovány hodnoty 0-24 hodin a 24-48 hodin po působení fyzikální terapie a tyto naměřené hodnoty byly mezi sebou vzájemně srovnány. Výsledky: Průměrná sedmidenní hodnota TK byla u 20 dobrovolníků 122 &#177; 1,21/71 &#177; 0.82 mm Hg a průměrná sedmidenní hodnota SF byla 73 &#177; 1,12/min. Po sauně byl prokázán statisticky významný pokles systolického krevního tlaku (STK) o 9 mm Hg a diastolického krevního tlaku (DTK) o 13 mm Hg. Po kryoterapii byl prokázán statisticky významný vzestup systolického krevního tlaku (STK) o 8 mm Hg a pokles srdeční frekvence (SF) o 8/min. Závěry: Studie potvrzuje vliv saunování a kryoterapie na kardiovaskulární aparát zdravých jedinců. Bezprostředně po opuštění sauny se STK a DTK snižuje a SF se zvyšuje. Všechny parametry se v dalších 48 hodinách vracejí ke svým standardním klidovým hodnotám. Bezprostředně po vystavení se chladu v kryokomoře se STK i DTK zvyšují a SF klesá. Všechny parametry se v dalších 48 hodinách vracejí ke svým původním klidovým hodnotám. &#169; 2021, ČKS.

The Cardiometabolic Health Benefits of Sauna Exposure in Individuals with High-Stress Occupations. A Mechanistic Review.

Components of the metabolic syndrome (i.e., hypertension, insulin resistance, obesity, atherosclerosis) are a leading cause of death in the United States and result in low-grade chronic inflammation, excessive oxidative stress, and the eventual development of cardiometabolic diseases (CMD). High-stress occupations (HSO: firefighters, police, military personnel, first responders, etc.) increase the risk of developing CMD because they expose individuals to chronic and multiple stressors (i.e., sleep deprivation, poor nutrition habits, lack of physical activity, psychological stress). Interestingly, heat exposure and, more specifically, sauna bathing have been shown to improve multiple markers of CMD, potentially acting as hormetic stressors, at the cellular level and in the whole organism. Therefore, sauna bathing might be a practical and alternative intervention for disease prevention for individuals with HSO. The purpose of this review is to detail the mechanisms and pathways involved in the response to both acute and chronic sauna bathing and collectively present sauna bathing as a potential treatment, in addition to current standard of care, for mitigating CMD to both clinicians and individuals serving in HSO.