We conclude that 3wk of post-exercise sauna bathing produced a worthwhile enhancement of endurance running performance, probably by increasing blood volume.- results of a study that involved runners spending an average of 31 min in a sauna following a run on 12 occasions over 3 weeks. The test was a 15 min run to exhausion at 5K pace. Effect of post-exercise sauna bathing on the endurance performance of competitive male runners
Spending time in a sauna is not the ideal way to acclimatize for hot weather running, but according to this small study it may benefit peformance. I'm headed to Phuket on Thanksgiving day and running a 6K on Sunday, so between now and then I will hit the sauna a few times. Looks like it as long as I stay hydrated, it can't hurt.
Though I wasn't able to read the linked to article because of a pay wall, it wouldn't surprise me that a sauna would help with any type of exercise, including running.
ReplyDeleteWe've been selling saunas for three decades, and have had many customers purchase saunas for their homes specifically to use after working out. They all claimed health/exercise benefits, and though we don't have any hard proof of their claims, we also haven't heard about any adverse side effects. We do know from several centuries of use across several different cultures that saunas provide circulatory benefits, not to mention relaxation and enjoyment.
Indeed, as long as you stay hydrated and don't stay in the sauna longer than your body can handle, taking a sauna bath can only help.