This article looks at the effect of using a sauna on the day before competitive swimming
What’s the deal?
I think we can mostly agree that sauna is a great and relaxing experience and is especially common after sports or the gym. But what effects does sauna have on subsequent sporting performance?
What did they do?
20 competitive swimmers performed an intensive training session, followed by either sauna bathing (80-85°C / 176-185°F), or a placebo control condition. The following morning, swimmers performed an all-out swim test (4x 50m) and their times compared across both conditions and compared to a previously recorded time.
What happened?
Swimmers performed worse after sauna and felt subjectively more stressed compared to the placebo control condition. This was especially true for the first 50m of the swim.
What can you tell me about the people?
A mix of 3 females and 17 males, who were competitive for at least 2 years in either swimming or triathlon at a national level or higher.
What else should I know?
The placebo control condition was the self-application of a massage oil, whilst in a relaxed seated position. This presumably mimics the feeling of being hot and sweaty in a sauna.
What will I do differently?
The drop in performance for these elite swimmers may or may not apply to recreational swimmers, or other sports. Either way, this will make me think twice about using a sauna if I have a competition the next day!
Acknowledgements
This research was first published in December 2019 by S Skorski and colleagues from the Institute of Sport and Preventive Medicine, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany.
This article highlights our personal take on their research, but there is so much more information available! Check it out here and see what you think!
Abstract Athlete 