The effect of cryostimulation and sauna bath on 24-hour blood pressure levels in healthy individuals
Abstract
Aim: To assess the effect of sauna bath and cryostimulation on blood pressure and heart rate, comparing the values measured before and immediately after the procedures. Methods: A seven-day long 24-hour ambulatory monitoring of blood pressure and heart rate was performed.
A total of twenty volunteers were included into the study (10 men and 10 women, mean age 24.60 +/- 1.93 years). Their mean body weight was 70.45 +/- 9.90 kg; the mean height 1.74 +/- 7.71 m; mean body mass index was 23.07 +/- 1.66 kg/m(2).
All volunteers were non-smokers. Every volunteer took part in two cycles of sauna bath within one day and then a single cryochamber session following at least a 48-hour break.
Blood pressure and heart rate were measured before and immediately after sauna bath or cryostimulation. The values were monitored both 0-24 hours and 24-48 hours after sauna bath and cryostimulation, and these sets of values were then compared.
Results: The mean seven-day blood pressure value in 20 volunteers was 122 +/- 1.21/71 +/- 0.82 mmHg, with the mean seven-day heart rate value of 73 +/- 1.12 bpm. The study confirmed a statistically significant decrease in systolic (by 9 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (by 13 mmHg) measured immediately after sauna bath.
There was also a statistically significant increase in systolic (by 8 m Hg) and diastolic blood pressure (by 8 mmHg) and decrease in heart rate (by 8 bpm) measured immediately after cryotherapy. Conclusion: The study confirms the effect of cryostimulation and sauna bath on blood pressure and heart rate in a group of healthy individuals.
Immediately after the sauna bath, there is a decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and an increase in heart rate. All values return back to normal within the next 48 hours.
Immediately after cryostimulation, there is an increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and a decrease in heart rate. All values return back to normal within the next 48 hours.