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Int J Sports Med 2020; 41(12): 824-831
DOI: 10.1055/a-1186-1716
Physiology & Biochemistry

Acute Hemodynamic Responses to Combined Exercise and Sauna

Joonas Antero Rissanen
1   Neuromuscular Research Center, Biology of Physical Activity, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
,
Keijo Häkkinen
1   Neuromuscular Research Center, Biology of Physical Activity, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
,
Jari Antero Laukkanen
2   Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Central Finland Central Hospital, Jyväskylä, Finland
3   Health Sciences, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
,
Arja Häkkinen
2   Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Central Finland Central Hospital, Jyväskylä, Finland
3   Health Sciences, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
› Author Affiliations Funding: The present study was funded by Kuopio University Hospital (grant no: B1703) and The Finnish Sauna Society. The authors would like to thank their research assistants and all the volunteer participants who made this project possible.
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Abstract

This 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.

Key words

hyperoxia - hypoxia - telemedicine - cardiac rehabilitation - heat-shock response - endurance training - strength training - blood pressure - body temperature - blood cells


Publication History

Received: 10 December 2019

Accepted: 14 May 2020

Article published online:
29 June 2020

© 2020. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
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