Table 1.
Measured variables in 30 min FIRS bathing and in 30 min traditional (TRAD) sauna bathing (mean ± SD)
| Variable | Before sauna | 15 min in sauna | After sauna | Recovery 30 min |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body mass (kg)a | ||||
| FIRS | 79.7 ± 7.1 | 79.4 ± 7.5 | ||
| TRAD | 80.6 ± 8.6 | 80.1 ± 8.6 | ||
| Hemoglobin (g/l) | ||||
| FIRS | 159 ± 10 | 157 ± 10 | 157 ± 9 | 156 ± 9 |
| TRAD | 158 ± 8 | 160 ± 8 | 160 ± 9 | 159 ± 8 |
| Heart rate (beats/min) | ||||
| FIRS | 70 ± 9 | 72 ± 9 | 71 ± 7 | 64 ± 7 |
| TRAD | 71 ± 8 | 81 ± 10 | 92 ± 13c | 68 ± 9 |
| Blood pressure (mm Hg) | ||||
| FIRS systolic | 138 ± 13 | 127 ± 14 | 129 ± 11 | 129 ± 12 |
| FIRS diastolic | 83 ± 15 | 73 ± 13 | 77 ± 11 | 78 ± 10 |
| TRAD systolic | 133 ± 13 | 129 ± 14 | 133 ± 11 | 127 ± 12 |
| TRAD diastolic | 76 ± 15 | 74 ± 13 | 75 ± 11 | 82 ± 10 |
| pH | ||||
| FIRS | 7.40 ± 0.03 | 7.42 ± 0.02 | 7.42 ± 0.02 | 7.40 ± 0.02 |
| TRAD | 7.41 ± 0.02 | 7.43 ± 0.02 | 7.43 ± 0.03 | 7.42 ± 0.02 |
| Testosterone (nmol/l) | ||||
| FIRS | 18.8 ± 4.7 | 18.3 ± 5.3 | 17.9 ± 5.1 | 18.9 ± 6.3 |
| TRAD | 20.0 ± 5.3 | 18.7 ± 3.5 | 21.0 ± 5.6 | 19.8 ± 5.5 |
| Cortisol (nmol/l) | ||||
| FIRS | 399 ± 88 | 367 ± 122 | 354 ± 133 | 329 ± 109b |
| TRAD | 546 ± 122 | 467 ± 143b | 409 ± 117b | 380 ± 127b |
| Growth hormone (µg/l) | ||||
| FIRS | 0.7 ± 1.3 | 5.2 ± 12.6 | 5.4 ± 5.1b | 11.2 ± 8.0b |
| TRAD | 0.6 ± 0.6 | 6.9 ± 8.7 | 19.4 ± 26.1b | 11.9 ± 20.0b |
aSubjects drank 0.5 dl water in sauna which is included in body mass.
bSignificantly (p < 0.05) different from before value.
cSignificantly (p < 0.05) different from FIRS after sauna value.