Effects of the sauna on diffusing capacity, pulmonary function and cardiac output in healthy subjects

Respiration. 1994;61(2):86-8. doi: 10.1159/000196312.

Abstract

The present study examined possible short-term effects of the heat stress during sauna bathing on gas exchange, especially in correlation with changes in cardiac output. The results obtained are as follows: (1) The heat stress of sauna bathing caused a slight but not significant increase in diffusion capacity (p = 0.239) and no change in other pulmonary function parameters. (2) Cardiac output and cardiac index increased slightly but not significantly (p = 0.2455 and p = 0.2719). We conclude that heat stress in sauna neither influences gas exchange nor does it cause a significant increase in cardiac output.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cardiac Output*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity*
  • Reference Values
  • Respiratory Mechanics*
  • Steam Bath*