Effects of repeated use of post-exercise infrared sauna on neuromuscular performance and muscle hypertrophy
Ahokas EK, Hanstock HG, Kyröläinen H, Ihalainen JK
Frontiers in sports and active living · 3 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
- Controlled clinical trial (classified by our AI screen)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Industry funded
- Authors
- At least one author declares a financial tie to industry
Based on full-text disclosure statement.
Publication
- Published
- 2025-03-04 · Front Sports Act Living · vol. 7 · p. 1462901
- Publisher
- Frontiers Media
- Cited
- 4 citations · more than 86% of similar papers · 2.1× the field average
- References
- 60 works
- Access
- Open access (journal) · CC-BY
- Research areas
- Thermoregulation and physiological responses · Sports Performance and Training · Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
- Keywords
- Sprint, Isometric exercise, Medicine, Muscle hypertrophy, Squat, Physical therapy, Strength training, Internal medicine, Physical medicine and rehabilitation, Cardiology, Psychology
4 authors
From FI, SE
- Essi K. Ahokas · correspondingUniversity of Jyväskylä
- Helen G. HanstockMid Sweden University
- Heikki KyröläinenUniversity of Jyväskylä
- Johanna Kaarina IhalainenResearch Institute for Olympic Sports; University of Jyväskylä
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study was to investigate whether regular use of infrared sauna (IRS) after training can promote neuromuscular performance and positive changes in body composition during a 6-week training period.
Methods
Forty female team sport athletes were pair-matched into two groups: IRS (n = 20) and control (CON; n = 20). Physical performance tests, body composition and hypertrophy measurements (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and ultrasound of m. vastus lateralis) were performed PRE and POST a 6-week strength and power training period, involving 2-3 sessions per week. Performance tests included a 20 m sprint, squat jump (SJ), countermovement jumps with body weight (CMJ) as well as with 15, 25, and 50% additional load (CMJ15%, CMJ25%, and CMJ50%), and a maximal isometric leg press (MVC). Participants in the IRS-group used IRS (10 min, 50℃) after training three times per week.
Results
Training improved neuromuscular performance and muscle hypertrophy in both groups (p p = 0.002) and peak power (p = 0.010), post hoc tests revealed higher jump height POST-IRS (p = 0.006) and PRE-CON (p = 0.023) compared to PRE-IRS, and higher peak power POST-IRS (p = 0.002) compared to PRE-IRS. Furthermore, an interaction effect was observed for 5 m split time of the 20 m sprint (p = 0.020), but no differences were found between groups and timepoints. There were no interactions for the hypertrophy measures.
Conclusion
Incorporating post-exercise IRS bathing does not significantly impact hypertrophy gains, but might boost long-term power production capabilities.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY).
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