Berlin: Taking a sauna session causes the same effects on our body as a short, moderate workout, a study has found. Contrary to previous assumption, researchers at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) and the Medical Center Berlin (MCB) in Germany found that the blood pressure does not drop during a sauna session.
Instead, they found that the blood pressure rises along with the heart rate — an increase comparable to the effect of a short, moderate workout. For the study, the researchers placed participants both in a sauna and on a bicycle ergometer on separate days.
People with low blood pressure or cardiovascular disorders have traditionally been advised not to use saunas, as a further fall in blood pressure can lead to fainting. “However, it is important to distinguish between the acute effects of a sauna session and the effects that were noted during the rest period after the sauna session,” said Ketelhut.
The scientists conducted their study by recruiting 19 volunteers to measure the immediate effects of sauna use on the cardiovascular system. The participants were exposed to a 25-minute sauna session, while having their blood pressure and heart rate measured. Both rose immediately during the sauna visit. After the sauna session, both blood pressure and heart rate began to drop below participant’s baseline levels that were measured before the sauna session.
