Sauna for 15 minutes following exercising 3 times a week has been shown to be good for health, such as strengthening the heart.
This is the result of an 8-week study conducted by a research team at the University of Jyväskylä in Finland on adults aged 30 to 64 who do not move much. The research team divided the participants into three groups: a group that performed resistance exercise and aerobic exercise for 50 minutes three times a week, a group that did resistance exercise and aerobic exercise for 50 minutes three times a week, followed by a sauna for 15 minutes, and a group that neither exercised nor did a sauna divided into groups. Participants had risk factors for heart disease, including hyperlipidemia, high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, or a family history of heart disease. Participants were allowed to leave the sauna 15 minutes before if they felt uncomfortable, but no one did.
The study found that people who used the sauna following exercise had significantly lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels than those who did not. In particular, the systolic blood pressure dropped by regarding 9 mmHg. Post-exercise sauna users and those who only exercised had significantly higher maximum oxygen consumption (VO₂ max) than the control group. Maximum oxygen consumption is the amount of oxygen the body can use during exercise. The higher the number, the better the stamina. Post-workout sauna users had significantly higher peak oxygen consumption than those who did exercise alone.
The study’s lead author, Earric Lee (Sports and Health Sciences) at the University of Wivaskula in Finland, said, “Some of the cardiovascular reactions induced by the sauna were found to be comparable to those of moderate exercise.” Saunas are an integral part of Finnish culture, and in Finland there are more saunas than cars. “Sauna bathing or hyperthermia to improve cardiovascular health has been a social issue for several years,” said Tony Wolf, kinesiology, postdoctoral researcher, Pennsylvania State University, USA. . “Heat allows the blood vessels to dilate, allowing the body to maintain body temperature, which is beneficial for heart health by increasing blood flow and heart rate,” he said. is a very important component of cardiovascular health.” “Exercise provides similar benefits, and heating with exercise can be synergistic,” explains Dr Wolf.
According to the research team, aerobic activity such as running or brisk walking makes the heart beat, and resistance exercise builds muscle. It is also good to use a sauna right following exercise when the body temperature is high. Rather than simply using a sauna, sauna following exercise raises body temperature, which has a positive effect on health. Patients with severe low blood pressure should avoid saunas as much as possible, and be especially careful not to show signs of dehydration. The results of this study were published in the online edition of The American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, and introduced by the American health media ‘Health Day’.
By Kim Young-seop, staff reporter edwdkim@kormedi.com
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