Acute Hemodynamic Responses to Combined Exercise and Sauna

Abstract

AbstractThis study investigated acute hemodynamic, plasma volume and immunological responses to four loading protocols: sauna only, and sauna after endurance, strength or combined endurance and strength exercise. Twenty-seven healthy, slightly prehypertensive men (age 32.7±6.9 years) were measured at PRE, MID (after exercise), POST, POST30min and POST24h. The measurements consisted systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature and concentrations of high-sensitive C-reactive protein, white blood cells and plasma volume measurements. Endurance+sauna showed significant decreases in systolic blood pressure at POST (–8.9 mmHg), POST30min (–11.0 mmHg) and POST24h (–4.6 mmHg). At POST30min, significant decreases were also observed in sauna (–4.3 mmHg) and combined+sauna (–7.5 mmHg). Diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly from -5.4 to –3.9 mmHg at POST in all loadings. Plasma volume decreased significantly at MID in all exercise loadings and at POST in endurance+sauna and strength+sauna. Plasma volume increased significantly (p < 0.01) in endurance+sauna and combined+sauna at POST24h. White blood cells increased following all exercise+sauna loadings at MID, POST and POST30min, whereas high sensitive C-reactive protein showed no changes at any measurement point. The combination of endurance exercise and sauna showed the greatest positive effects on blood pressure. Both loadings including endurance exercise increased plasma volume on the next day.