Sauna provides you with many health benefits as much as exercises. A new study carried out by scientists at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) and the Medical Center Berlin (MCB), found that blood pressure and heart rate when using sauna or during short and moderate workouts are alike.
In line with previous studies that focused on the long-term effects of sauna use, the researchers found that positive effects on the cardiovascular system are similar to those of sports activities, the German News Agency reported.
Nevertheless, they said the healthy sweating does not contribute to weight loss as there is no muscle activity. Although we lose weight in the sauna, but these are just the fluids that we sweat out. One should rehydrate after a sauna session, though.
Contrary to the previous assumption, blood pressure does not drop during a sauna session; it rises. 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.
Dr. Sascha Ketelhut, lead author of the new study and a sports scientist at MLU, said: "Saunas can actually be used by anyone who can tolerate moderate physical stress without discomfort. However, people with low blood pressure should be cautious afterwards, as their blood pressure may then fall significantly and cause fainting."
For their study published in the journal, the scientists recruited 19 volunteers exposed to a 25-minute sauna session, followed by a short exercise program on an exercise bike on a different day. The participants' blood pressure and heart rate were assessed before and after both sessions.
