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Table 1 Measured variables in 30 min FIRS bathing and in 30 min traditional (TRAD) sauna bathing (mean ± SD)

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

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

  1. aSubjects drank 0.5 dl water in sauna which is included in body mass.
  2. bSignificantly (p < 0.05) different from before value.
  3. cSignificantly (p < 0.05) different from FIRS after sauna value.