Verification of impact of morning showering and mist sauna bathing on human physiological functions and work efficiency during the day

Abstract

Recently, a growing number in Japan are switching to taking baths in the morning (morning bathing). However, the effects of the morning bathing on human physiological functions and work efficiency have not yet been revealed. Then, we hypothesized that the effect of morning bathing on physiological functions would be different from those of night bathing. In this study, we measured the physiological functions and work efficiency during the day following the morning bathing (7:10–7:20) including showering, mist sauna bathing, and no bathing as a control. Ten male healthy young adults participated in this study as the subjects. We evaluated the rectal temperature (Tre), skin temperature (Tsk), heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), blood pressure (BP), the relative power density of the alpha wave (α-wave ratio) of electroencephalogram, alpha attenuation coefficient (AAC), and the error rate of the task performance. As a result, we found that the HR after the mist sauna bathing was significantly lower than those after no bathing rest 3 (11:00). Furthermore, we verified that the α-wave ratio of the Pz after the mist sauna bathing was significantly lower than those after no bathing during the task 6 (15:00). On the other hand, the α-wave ratio of the Pz after the mist sauna bathing was significantly higher than those after showering during the rest 3 (11:00). Tsk after the mist sauna bathing was higher than those after the showering at 9:00 and 15:00. In addition, the error rate of the task performance after the mist sauna bathing was lower than those after no bathing and showering at 14:00. This study concludes that a morning mist sauna is safe and maintains both skin temperature compared to other bathing methods. Moreover, it is presumed that the morning mist sauna bathing improves work efficiency comparing other bathing methods during the task period of the day following the morning bathing.

The consideration of melatonin concentration and subjective evaluation in the various bathing methods

“…In an earlier study, we found that a morning mist sauna was safe and that it maintains skin temperature compared to other bathing methods. We also found that the morning mist sauna bathing improves work efficiency compared to other bathing methods during the work day following the morning bathing [4]. In the present study, we verified that the morning showering and mist sauna were not effective improving from sleeping quality in this study.…”

“…We found that compared to other bathing methods, a morning mist sauna was safe and maintains the skin temperature. Moreover, it was found that morning mist sauna bathing improves work efficiency compared to other bathing methods during the day following the morning bathing [4]. However, the effects of morning bathing methods on people's sleep quality have not yet been revealed.…”

Meaning of sauna bath in human body health training

“…Również celem treningu jest osiągnięcie reakcji hormonalnej w organizmie człowieka, która w przypadku podniesienia poziomu endorfin wywołuje odpowiednie, zamierzone reakcje kliniczne. Zachowanie tych elementów bez wątpienia wspiera układ odpornościowy [5,6,7,8].…”

The Immediate Effect of Steam Bath and Sauna Bath on Heart Rate Variability and Body Composition in Obese Individuals: A Comparative Study

“…A study published in International Journal of Biometeorology by Soomin Lee and colleagues concluded that the morning mist sauna has reduced burden on cardiovascular system and that skin temperature was maintained compared to other bathing methods and that it improves the work efficiency during the task period of the day [16]. Sathoshi Iwase et al [17] concluded that mist sauna is safer sauna bathing system which has more efficiency on circulatory and thermoregulatory function when compared to dry sauna bathing.…”