Funded in part by Clearlight Saunas
Far-infrared sauna exposure at 65°C elevates core temperature
Jenkins EJ, Killick JA, Grimm SR, Davies SR, Benson JA, Tremblay JC, Stembridge M
Experimental physiology · 1 citation
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
- Company
- Clearlight Saunas
Based on 1 listed funder(s) and full-text disclosure statement.
Publication
- Published
- 2026-07-31 · Exp Physiol
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Cited
- 0 citations · more than 70% of similar papers · 0.0× the field average
- References
- 36 works
- Access
- Open access (journal) · CC-BY
- Research areas
- Thermoregulation and physiological responses · Body Contouring and Surgery · Infrared Thermography in Medicine
- Keywords
- Thermoregulation, Rectal temperature, Core temperature, Skin temperature, Heart rate, Blood pressure, Core (optical fiber), Intravascular volume status
7 authors
From GB
- Elliott J. Jenkins · correspondingCardiff Metropolitan University
- Joseph A. KillickCardiff Metropolitan University
- Sally R. GrimmCardiff Metropolitan University
- Sam R. DaviesCardiff Metropolitan University
- Jemima A. BensonCardiff Metropolitan University
- Joshua C. TremblayCardiff Metropolitan University
Abstract
Far-infrared (FIR) saunas are increasingly used as a passive heating and 'wellness' modality, yet their capacity to elevate core temperature remains unclear, particularly given prior work at lower temperatures (∼45°C) reports limited net heat storage. We therefore examined whether FIR sauna exposure at an ambient temperature more typical of traditional sauna bathing (65°C) increases core (rectal) temperature and evokes thermoregulatory, cardiovascular, haematological and perceptual responses associated with heat strain. Twelve healthy adults (6 female) completed a single 45-min FIR sauna exposure. Rectal temperature, skin temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, plasma volume changes and perceptual measures were assessed throughout. Rectal temperature increased by 1.4°C (95% CI: 0.9, 1.8; P - 1. Thermal sensation and discomfort increased to 'extremely hot' and 'extremely uncomfortable', respectively (P < 0.001). In summary, FIR sauna exposure at 65°C elicits substantial increases in rectal temperature and systemic physiological strain comparable to values previously reported in the passive heating literature. These findings indicate that the effectiveness of FIR sauna to increase core temperature is governed by the thermal load imposed, supporting its potential as a heat-based intervention when applied at sufficiently high temperatures.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY).
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