Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The effect of sauna bathing on lipid profile in young, physically active, male subjects

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

Abstract

Objectives

The aim of the study was to evaluate effects of Finnish sauna bathing on lipid profile in healthy, young men.

Material and Methods

Sixteen male subjects (20–23 years) were subjected to 10 sauna bathing sessions in a Finnish sauna every 1 or 2 days. The mean sauna temperature was 90±2°C, while humidity was 5–16%. Each session consisted of three 15-minute parts and a 2-minute cool-down between them. The following measurements were taken before and after the sauna sessions: body mass, heart rate, body skinfold thickness. The percentage fat content and then, the lean body mass were calculated. Total cholesterol, triacylglycerols, lipoprotein cholesterol LDL and HDL were measured in blood samples.

Results

A statistically significant decrease of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol was observed during 3 weeks of sauna treatment and in the week afterwards. A significant decline in triacylglycerols was found directly after the 1st and 24 h directly after the 10th sauna session. After the 10th sauna session the level of HDL cholesterol remained slightly increased, but this change was not statistically significant. A decrease in blood plasma volume was found directly after the 1st and the last sauna bathing session due to perspiration. An adaptive increase in blood plasma volume was also found after the series of 10 sauna sessions.

Conclusions

Ten complete sauna bathing sessions in a Finnish sauna caused a reduction in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol fraction levels during the sessions and a gradual return of these levels to the initial level during the 1st and the 2nd week after the experiment. A small, statistically insignificant increase in HDL-C level and a transient decline in triacylglycerols were observed after those sauna sessions. The positive effect of sauna on lipid profile is similar to the effect that can be obtained through a moderate-intensity physical exercise.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Boraita A. Plasma lipid profile is improved by participation in sports, but at what intensivity? Rev Esp Cardiol. 2004;57(6):495–498, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1885-5857(06)60624-5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Kipreos G, Tripolitsioti A, Stergioulas A. The effects of anaerobic training in serum lipids and arachidonic acid metabolites. Biol Exerc. 2010;6(2):5–12, http://dx.doi.org/10.4127/jbe.2010.0036.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Lira FS, Yamashita AS, Uchida MC, Zanchi NE, Gualano B, Martins E, et al. Low and moderate, rather than high intensity strength exercise induces benefit regarding plasma lipid profile. Diabetol Metab Syndr. 2010;2:31, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1758-5996-2-31.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Ruiz JR, Mesa JLM, Mingorance I, Rodríguez-Cuartero A, Castillo MJ. Sports requiring stressful physical exertion cause abnormalities in plasma lipid profile. Rev Esp Cardiol (English Edition). 2004;57(6):499–506, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1885-5857(06)60625-7.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Booth FW, Chakravarthy MV, Gordon SE, Spangenburg EE. Waging war on physical inactivity: Using modern molecular ammunition against an ancient enemy. J Appl Physiol. 2002;93(1):3–30, http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00073.2002.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. O’Donnell MJ, Xavier D, Liu L, Zhang H, Chin SL, Rao-Melacini P, et al. Risk factors for ischaemic and intracerebral haemorrhagic stroke in 22 countries (The INTERSTROKE study): A case-control study. Lancet. 2010;376(9735):112–123, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(10)60834-3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Iguchi M, Littmann AE, Chang SH, Wester LA, Knipper JS, Shields RK. Heat stress and cardiovascular, hormonal, and heat shock proteins in humans. J Athl Train. 2012;47(2):184–190.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Crinnion WJ. Sauna as a valuable clinical tool for cardiovascular, autoimmune, toxicant-induced and other chronic health problems. Altern Med Rev. 2011;16(3):215–225.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Blum N, Blum A. Beneficial effects of sauna bathing for heart failure patients. Exp Clin Cardiol. 2007;12(1):29–32.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Hannuksela ML, Ellahham S. Benefits and risks of sauna bathing. Am J Med. 2001;110(2):118–126, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0002-9343(00)00671-9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Kukkonen-Harjula K, Kauppinen K. Health effects and risks of sauna bathing. Int J Circumpolar Health. 2006;65(3):195–205, http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/ijch.v65i3.18102.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Sawicka A, Brzostek T, Kowalski R. Effects of sauna bath on the cardiovascular system. Med Rehabil. 2007;11(1):15–22.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Craig CL, Marshall AL, Sjorstrom M, Bauman AE, Booth ML, Ainsworth BE, et al. International physical activity questionnaire: 12-country reliability and validity. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2003;35(8):1381–1395, http://dx.doi.org/10.1249/01.MSS.0000078924.61453.FB.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Jarosz M, Bułhak-Jachymczyk B. [Standards of human nutrition. Basic prevention of obesity and non-communicable diseases]. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Lekarskie PZWL; 2008. Polish.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Kunachowicz H, Nadolna I, Przygoda B, Iwanow K. [Tables of nutritive value of food products]. Warszawa: Instytut Żywności i Żywienia; 1998. Polish.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Slaughter MH, Lohman TG, Boileau R, Horswill CA, Stillman RJ, van Loan MD, et al. Skinfold equations for estimation of body fatness in children and youth. Hum Biol. 1988;60(5):709–723.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Johansen LB, Videbaek R, Hammerum M, Norsk P. Underestimation of plasma volume changes in humans by hematocrit/hemoglobin method. Am J Physiol. 1998;274(1 Pt 2):R126–R130.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Kraemer RR, Brown BS. Alterations in plasma-volume-corrected blood components of marathon runners and concomitant relationship to performance. Eur J Appl Physiol. 1986;55(6):579–584, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00423200.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Santos-Gallego CG, Badimon JJ. High-density lipoprotein and cardiovascular risk reduction: Promises and realities. Rev Esp Cardiol. 2012;65(4):305–308, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rec.2011.10.023.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Chapman MJ. Therapeutic elevation of HDL-cholesterol to prevent atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. Pharmacol Ther. 2006;111(3):893–908, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pharmthera.2006.02.003.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Biggerstaff KD, Wooten JS. Understanding lipoproteins as transporters of cholesterol and other lipids. Adv Physiol Educ. 2004;28:105–106, http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/advan.00048.2003.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Cromwell WC. High-density lipoprotein associations with coronary heart disease: Does measurement of cholesterol content give the best result? J Clinic Lipidol. 2007;1(1):57–64, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jacl.2007.01.002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Mineo C, Yuhanna IS, Quon MJ, Shaul PW. High density lipoprotein-induced endothelial nitric-oxide synthase activation is mediated by Akt and MAP kinases. J Biol Chem. 2003;278(11):9142–9149, http://dx.doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M211394200.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Després JP. 7 Dyslipidaemia and obesity. Baillière’s Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1994;8(3):629–660, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0950-351X(05)80289-7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Martins RA, Veríssimo MT, Coelho de Silva MJ, Cumming SP, Teixeira AM. Effects of aerobic and strength-based training on metabolic health indicators in older adults. Lipids Health Dis. 2010;9:76, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1476-511X-9-76.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Petridou A, Lazaridou D, Mougios V. Lipidemic profile of athletes and non-athletes with similar body fat. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2005;15(4):425–432.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Imamoglu O, Atan T, Kishali NF, Burmaoglu G, Akyol P, Yildirim K. Comparison of lipid and lipoprotein values in men and women differing in training status. Biol Sport. 2005;22(3):261–270.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Biro S, Masuda A, Kihara T, Tei C. Clinical implications of thermal therapy in lifestyle-related diseases. Exp Biol Med. 2003;228(10):1245–1249.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Pilch W, Szyguła Z, Klimek A, Pałka T, Cisoń T, Pilch P, et al. Changes in the lipid profile of blood serum in women taking sauna baths of various duration. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2010;23(2):167–174, http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/v10001-010-0020-9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Vangelova K, Deyanov C, Ivanova M. Dyslipidemia in industrial workers in hot environments. Cent Eur J Public Health. 2006;14(1):15–17.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Sakurai R, Fujiwara Y, Saito K, Fukaya T, Kim MJ, Yasunaga M, et al. Effects of a comprehensive intervention program, including hot bathing, on overweight adults: A randomized controlled trial. Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2013;13(3):638–645, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1447-0594.2012.00955.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Leppäluoto J, Tuominen M, Väänänen A, Karpakka J, Vouri J. Some cardiovascular and metabolic effects of repeated sauna bathing. Act Phys Scand. 1986;128(1):77–81, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-1716.1986.tb07952.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Szyguła Z, Podolec Z, Moskala J, Zuchowicz A. Some metabolic and hormonal changes as an effect of repeated sauna bathing. Act Physiol Pol. 1990;41:233–234.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Patterson MJ, Stocks JM, Taylor NA. Sustained and generalized extracellular fluid expansion following heat acclimation. J Physiol. 2004;559(pt 1):327–334, http://dx.doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.2004.063289.

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Saat M, Sirisinghe RG, Singh R, Tochihara Y. Effects of short-term exercise in the heat on thermoregulation, blood parameters, sweat secretion and sweat composition of tropic-dwelling subjects. J Physiol Anthropol Appl Human Sci. 2005;24(5):541–549, http://dx.doi.org/10.2114/jpa.24.541.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Scoon GS, Hopkins WG, Mayhew S, Cotter JD. Effect of post-exercise sauna bathing on the endurance performance of competitive male runners. J Sci Med Sport. 2007;10(4):259–262, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2006.06.009.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Saadat H, Sadeghi R, Motamedi MR, Namazi MH, Safi M, Vakili H, et al. Potential role of thermal therapy as an adjunct treatment in congestive heart failure. J Tehran Univ Heart Cent. 2009;4(3):149–158.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Durstine JL, Grandjean PW, Davis PG, Ferguson MA, Alderson NL, DuBose KD. Blood lipid and lipoprotein adaptations to exercise. Sports Med. 2001;31(15):1033–1062, http://dx.doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200131150-00002.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Leon AS, Sanchez OA. Response of blood lipids to exercise training alone or combined with dietary intervention. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2001;33(6 Suppl):502–515, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00005768-200106001-00021.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University School of Physical Education, Kraków, Poland

    Dorota Gryka, Wanda Pilch, Marta Szarek, Zbigniew Szygula & Łukasz Tota

  2. Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University School of Physical Education, Jana Pawła II 78, 31-571, Kraków, Poland

    Dorota Gryka

Authors
  1. Dorota Gryka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Wanda Pilch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Marta Szarek
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Zbigniew Szygula
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Łukasz Tota
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dorota Gryka.

Additional information

This work was financially supported by grant No. 23/BS/IFC/2011. Manager of grant: Wanda Pilch, PhD.

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Gryka, D., Pilch, W., Szarek, M. et al. The effect of sauna bathing on lipid profile in young, physically active, male subjects. IJOMEH 27, 608–618 (2014). https://doi.org/10.2478/s13382-014-0281-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s13382-014-0281-9

Key words

Search

Navigation