Effects of far-infrared sauna bathing on recovery from strength and endurance training sessions in men

Mero A, Tornberg J, Mäntykoski M, Puurtinen R · SpringerPlus

After strength training there were no differences between infrared sauna and no sauna in any recovery variable. After endurance training, jump height at 30 minutes was higher after sauna (0.34 vs 0.32 m, p < 0.05); every other variable, including oxygen uptake, lactate, pH and growth hormone, recovered alike in both conditions.

Population

10 physically active men, randomized-order crossover

Intervention

30 min far-infrared sauna (35-50°C) after strength or endurance training

Comparator

Sitting at room temperature with no sauna

Limitations

Ten subjects; far-infrared at 35-50°C; the traditional-sauna condition was always performed last and outside the randomization, so it supports no comparative claim. The single positive finding is one jump measurement out of a dozen outcomes, and the study was partly funded by Harvia, which made the infrared sauna used; the paper's competing-interests statement declares none.