The physiological effects of sauna and rowing on former elite athletes with hypertension

The effect of thermal stress, such as sauna, on the physiological parameters of older, overweight and physically active former athletes remains insufficiently investigated. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of sauna first and then the combined effects of sauna and physical training on physiological parameters in overweight former elite athletes with hypertension and high levels of physical activity. Ten middle-aged former athletes who were overweight but physically active attended the first 10-minute sauna intervention (temperature 90-91°C; humidity: 14-16%) and the second intervention combining 20-minute training on a rowing ergometer training and a 10-minute sauna session one week later. Morphological and body composition parameters were determined before the first session. Heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were measured before and after both training sessions. The participants were overweight (BMI – 27.83±0.7 kg/m, PBF – 22.65±4.6%) and had elevated lipid parameters (total cholesterol – 210.20±39.7 mg/dl; HDL – 40.00±7.9 mg/dL; LDL – 122.21±14.48 mg/dl; triglycerides – 200.00±96.07 mg/dl). The highest HR values were noted during rowing ergometer training (115.6±3.7 bpm), and the highest maximal values during sauna were observed after ergometer training (132.4±4.4 bpm). Two hours after sauna, BP values decreased to 142.3±2.7/91.7±2.7 mmHg, and a significant decrease to normal levels (135.6±3.9/84.3±3.5 mmHg) was observed after rowing ergometer training combined with sauna. In conclusion, 20-minute rowing ergometer training combined with a 10-minute sauna session significantly decreased blood pressure in former elite athletes. The lowest BP values were noted in the second hour of recovery.