Effect of a Single Finnish Sauna Session on White Blood Cell Profile and Cortisol Levels in Athletes and Non-Athletes

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Finnish sauna bathing on a white blood cell profile, cortisol levels and selected physiological indices in athletes and non-athletes. The study evaluated 9 trained middle-distance runners and 9 male non-athletes. The subjects from both groups participated in 15-minute sauna sessions until their core temperature rose by 1.2°C (mean temperature in the sauna room was 96° ± 2°C; relative humidity was 15 ± 3%) with a 2 minute cool down with water at a temperature of 19–20°C. Body mass was measured before and after the session and blood samples were taken for tests. Rectal temperature was monitored at five-minute intervals during the whole session. Serum total protein, haematological indices and cortisol levels were determined. Sauna bathing caused higher body mass loss and plasma volume in the athletes compared to the group of non-athletes. After the sauna session, an increased number of white blood cells, lymphocyte, neutrophil and basophil counts was reported in the white blood cell profile. Higher increments in leukocyte and monocyte after the sauna bathing session were recorded in the group of athletes compared to untrained subjects. The obtained results indicated that sauna bathing stimulated the immune system to a higher degree in the group of athletes compared to the untrained subjects.

Effects of sauna bathing on stress-related genes expression in athletes and non-athletes

“…Furthermore, no research has been undertaken on the expression of HSPs and interleukins as a function of physical activity. Occasional reports on the effects of sauna on the bodies of athletes refer to changes in the number of leukocytes and the profile of the white blood cells [18]. In the opinion of the cited authors and the authors of the current study, adaptive changes to exercise should be reflected in differential induction of stress-related genes by sauna bathing.…”

Kindness in the blood: A randomized controlled trial of the gene regulatory impact of prosocial behavior

“…For example, self-focused positive behaviors such as consuming dark chocolate, cocoa, or red wine have been shown to decrease markers of inflammation (Katz et al, 2011;Nicod et al, 2014). Favorable effects on inflammation and immune regulation have also been documented for napping (Faraut et al, 2015), having a sauna session (Pilch et al, 2013), and receiving regular massages (Rapaport et al, 2012). To distinguish the effects of producing positive behavior per se from the effects of its prosocial impact, this study contrasted the effects of positive behaviors directed at the self vs. others.…”

The Effect of Wrestling Training and Sauna Practice on Cortisol and Insulin Hormones

“…Pilch et al (2008) contrastingly carried out a study in 10 females, and found that cortisol significantly increased after sauna. In addition, Pilch et al (2013) found significant increases in the cortisol values after sauna session they applied for 15 minutes to 9 trained middle-distance runners. Although there are not many studies examining the relationship between sauna and cortisol level in the literature, the results obtained in these limited studies seem to differ from one another.…”