Effects of Postexercise Sauna Bathing on Recovery of Swim Performance
Skorski S, Schimpchen J, Pfeiffer M, Ferrauti A, Kellmann M, Meyer T
International journal of sports physiology and performance · 13 citations
Review labels
Neutral facts our review recorded about how this study was done. They describe method, never whether we like the result.
How it was studied
- Design
- Randomized controlled trial (classified by our AI screen)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Funding not disclosed
Publication
- Published
- 2019-12-23 · Int J Sports Physiol Perform · vol. 15 · issue 7 · pp. 934–940
- Publisher
- Human Kinetics
- Cited
- 22 citations · more than 86% of similar papers · 2.2× the field average
- References
- 40 works
- Access
- Open access (repository copy)
- Research areas
- Therapeutic Uses of Natural Elements · Thermoregulation and physiological responses · Exercise and Physiological Responses
- Keywords
- Bathing, Athletes, Medicine, Physical therapy, Morning, Placebo, Internal medicine
6 authors
- Sabrina Skorski
- Jan Schimpchen
- Mark Pfeiffer
- Alexander Ferrauti
- Michael Kellmann
- Tim Meyer
Abstract
Purpose
Despite indications of positive effects of sauna (SAU) interventions, effects on performance recovery are unknown. The aim of the current study was to investigate acute effects of SAU bathing after an intensive training session on recovery of swim performance.
Methods
In total, 20 competitive swimmers and triathletes (3 female and 17 male) with a minimum of 2 y of competition experience (national level or higher) participated in the study. Athletes completed an intensive training session followed by either a SAU bathing intervention or a placebo (PLAC) condition in a randomized order. SAU consisted of 3 × 8 min of SAU bathing at 80-85°C, whereas during PLAC, athletes applied a deidentified, pH-balanced massage oil while passively resting in a seated position. Prior to training, swimmers conducted a 4 × 50-m all-out swim test that was repeated on the following morning. Furthermore, subjective ratings of fatigue and recovery were measured.
Results
Swimmers performed significantly worse after SAU (4 × 50-m pre-post difference: +1.69 s) than after PLAC (-0.66 s; P = .02), with the most pronounced decrease in the first 50 m (P = .04; +2.7%). Overall performance of 15 athletes deteriorated (+2.6 s). The subjective feeling of stress was significantly higher after SAU than after PLAC (P = .03).
Conclusion
Based on published findings, the smallest substantial change in swimming performance is an increase in time of more than 1.2 s; thus, the observed reductions appear relevant for competitive swimmers. According to the current results, coaches and athletes should be careful with postexercise SAU if high-intensity training and/or competitions are scheduled on the following day.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher.
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