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Quality in Sport

Is there scientific evidence that sauna bathing enhances the health effects of physical activity? - Review
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  • Is there scientific evidence that sauna bathing enhances the health effects of physical activity? - Review
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  4. Medical Sciences

Is there scientific evidence that sauna bathing enhances the health effects of physical activity? - Review

Authors

  • Jagoda Elias https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6967-6016
  • Wiktor Biesiada Gromkowski Regional Specialist Hospital, Koszarowa 5, 51-149 Wrocław https://orcid.org/0009-0002-2662-5300
  • Marlena Zubiak Independent Public Provincial Hospital named after Pope John Paul II in Zamość, Aleje Jana Pawła II 10, 22-400 Zamość https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5329-9214
  • Krzysztof Błaszków University Clinical Hospital in Wrocław, Borowska 213, 50-556 Wrocław https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0685-1094
  • Sara Szydłowska University Clinical Hospital in Wrocław, Borowska 213, 50-556 Wrocław https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7926-5265
  • Dominika Kaźmierczak Medical University of Silesia: Katowice, Poniatowskiego 15, 40-005 Katowice https://orcid.org/0009-0001-5384-9273

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2025.39.58417

Keywords

sauna, sauna bathing, physical activity, sauna and exercise, Finnish sauna

Abstract

Introduction

Sauna bathing and sport are well-known methods of improving a person's overall health. These activities not only have a positive impact on mental wellbeing, but also have a real effect on improving certain physical parameters such as, for example, blood pressure.

Aim of the review

A summary of the information gathered to date on the health effects of sauna bathing and undertaking physical activity.

Results 

The results of the studies cited in this article are consistent: sauna enhances the positive effects of physical activity on cardiovascular function among people with at least one major cardiovascular risk factor and who are not professional athletes.

Conclusions

Although sauna seems to increase the health effects of physical activity one should be aware of the contraindications to its use. Additionally, it is worth conducting more large scale randomized trials to verify this information.

References

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Published

2025-03-07

How to Cite

1.
ELIAS , Jagoda, BIESIADA, Wiktor, ZUBIAK, Marlena, BŁASZKÓW, Krzysztof, SZYDŁOWSKA, Sara and KAŹMIERCZAK, Dominika. Is there scientific evidence that sauna bathing enhances the health effects of physical activity? - Review. Quality in Sport. Online. 7 March 2025. Vol. 39, p. 58417. [Accessed 22 May 2025]. DOI 10.12775/QS.2025.39.58417.
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Vol. 39 (2025)

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Copyright (c) 2025 Jagoda Elias , Wiktor Biesiada, Marlena Zubiak, Krzysztof Błaszków, Sara Szydłowska, Dominika Kaźmierczak

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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