Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Hugo Gravel, Parya Behzadi, Sarah Cardinal, Hadiatou Barry, Paul-Eduard Neagoe, Martin Juneau, Anil Nigam, Martin G. Sirois, Daniel Gagnon
Summary: The study found that in patients with stable coronary artery disease, a typical Finnish sauna bathing session acutely improves peripheral flow-mediated dilation, but has no effect on postocclusive reactive hyperemia.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Peter Kaiser, Ulrike Seeher, Arbnor Krasniqi, Alexander Keiler, Roman Crazzolara, Andreas Meryk
Summary: The purpose of this study was to identify the causes for injuries related to sauna bathing and to provide recommendations for prevention. Slip/falls and dizziness/syncopes were the main causes of injuries. It is suggested that individuals should stay hydrated and operators should revise safety regulations, such as requiring slip resistant slippers, to reduce injuries related to sauna bathing.
INJURY-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF THE CARE OF THE INJURED
(2023)
Article
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
Lassi A. Liikkanen, Jari A. Laukkanen
Summary: Research on sauna bathing in Finland reveals that 59% of respondents bathed at least once a week before the pandemic, with 23% reducing or stopping bathing since the pandemic began. 11% increased bathing frequency during the pandemic, citing relaxation and passing time as reasons. Men were generally more active bathers than women, with older women enjoying sauna more often than younger women.
COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES IN MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Setor K. Kunutsor, Jari A. Laukkanen
Summary: Sauna bathing is a long-standing tradition in Finnish culture and is associated with various health benefits such as reducing the incidence of diseases and improving overall well-being. The positive effects of sauna bathing are attributed to its properties such as blood pressure reduction, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Frequent sauna bathing may serve as a protective factor and enhance the effects of other healthy lifestyle factors. This review summarizes the epidemiologic and interventional evidence linking the combined effects of Finnish sauna bathing and other risk factors on vascular and nonvascular outcomes.
MAYO CLINIC PROCEEDINGS
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
Z. Drzazga, M. Binek, I Pokora
Summary: The study found that a series of ten Finnish dry sauna baths have a mild impact on the superficial temperature distributions, resting heart rate, and plasma volume of elite cross-country skiers following exercise tests. However, the impact on physiological and temperature responses during exercise is minimal.
JOURNAL OF THERMAL ANALYSIS AND CALORIMETRY
(2021)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Zhongyou Li, Wentao Jiang, Haidong Fan, Fei Yan, Ruiqi Dong, Taoping Bai, Kairen Xu
Summary: The study used a simulated hemodynamic model to investigate the reallocation of blood circulation during heat-induced superficial vasodilation. The results showed that sauna bathing led to a decrease in blood pressure, increased diastolic blood flow reversal in certain arteries, reduced blood supply to certain organs, and increased pulmonary blood flow.
COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Setor K. Kunutsor, Sae Young Jae, Sudhir Kurl, Jussi Kauhanen, Jari A. Laukkanen
Summary: Inflammation and sauna bathing are independently associated with all-cause mortality risk in Caucasian men. Frequent sauna baths may offset the increased all-cause mortality risk associated with high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Sport Sciences
Nathalie Kirby, Samuel J. E. Lucas, Thomas G. Cable, Oliver J. Armstrong, Samuel R. Weaver, Rebekah A. Lucas
Summary: Intermittent post-exercise sauna bathing effectively induces heat acclimation in both male and female athletes, with potential differences in thermoeffector adaptations. Improvements in running speed at 4mmol.L-1 blood lactate concentration were observed in both sexes.
SPORTS MEDICINE-OPEN
(2021)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Jari A. Laukkanen, S. Y. Jae, J. Kauhanen, S. K. Kunutsor
Summary: This study examines the impact of frequent sauna bathing on the risk of cardiovascular disease mortality in individuals with elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP). The findings reveal that frequent sauna bathing reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease mortality, but does not mitigate the risk for individuals with high blood pressure.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITION HEALTH & AGING
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Setor K. Kunutsor, Jussi Kauhanen, Jari A. Laukkanen
Summary: This study found that frequent sauna bathing is not associated with impaired renal function or increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD).
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Setor K. Kunutsor, Jari A. Laukkanen
Summary: In a study involving 2275 men, it was found that a combination of high cardiorespiratory fitness levels and frequent sauna baths is associated with a significantly lower risk of future pneumonia. Compared to using each method alone, this combination offers greater benefits.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2021)
Article
Physiology
Nathalie V. Kirby, Samuel J. E. Lucas, Oliver J. Armstrong, Samuel R. Weaver, Rebekah A. I. Lucas
Summary: The study found that three weeks of post-exercise sauna bathing is not only an effective and practical method of heat acclimation, but also an effective ergogenic aid. Extending the intervention to seven weeks only marginally improved body temperature.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Anna Muro, Corel Mateo, Eva Parrado, Montse Subirana-Malaret, Montserrat Moya, Adria Garriga, Josep Canals, Andres Chamarro, Antoni Sanz
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the generalizability of the positive effects of forest bathing (FB) on individuals' mental health and well-being in different biomes, such as the Mediterranean. Results showed that FB in Mediterranean-Catalan forests increased mindfulness states and positive affect, and reduced anxiety and negative affect, with large to very large effect sizes. Furthermore, an exploratory analysis revealed differences in the profiles of FB participants compared to hiking practitioners.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF FOREST RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Physiology
Earric Lee, Iiris Kolunsarka, Joel Kostensalo, Juha P. Ahtiainen, Eero A. Haapala, Peter Willeit, Setor K. Kunutsor, Jari A. Laukkanen
Summary: This study compared the effects of regular exercise and sauna bathing, as well as exercise alone, on cardiovascular adaptations. The results showed that sauna bathing combined with exercise had a greater impact on cardiorespiratory fitness, systolic blood pressure, and total cholesterol levels.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-REGULATORY, INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Setor K. Kunutsor, Sae Young Jae, Jari A. Laukkanen
Summary: The study found an interaction among socioeconomic status, sauna bathing, and all-cause mortality risk in Finnish males. Frequent sauna baths may offset the increased overall mortality risk due to low socioeconomic status.
EXPERIMENTAL GERONTOLOGY
(2022)
