ORIGINAL PAPER
The influence of Finnish sauna treatments on the concentrations of nitric oxide, 3-nitrotyrosine and selected markers of oxidative status in training and non-training men
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1
University of Physical Education, Kraków, Poland
(Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Department of Physiology and Biochemistry)
2
University of Physical Education, Kraków, Poland
(Faculty of Rehabilitation)
3
University of Physical Education, Kraków, Poland
(Faculty of Physical Education and Sport)
4
Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Košice, Slovakia
(Institute of Physical Education and Sport)
Online publication date: 2020-01-16
Corresponding author
Anna Piotrowska
University of Physical Education, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Al. Jana Pawła II 78, 31-571 Kraków, Poland
Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2020;33(2):173-85
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ABSTRACT
Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of repeated Finnish sauna baths on the concentrations of nitric oxide metabolites (NOx)
and 3-nitrotyrosine in relation to pro-oxidative and antioxidative status in young males with different physical activity levels. Material and Methods: The study was performed on healthy males (aged 20–25 years), representing the training (T, N = 10) and non-training groups (NT, N = 10). The protocol
included a series of 10 sauna baths during 3 weeks. One bath consisted of three 15-min sessions, with 2 min recovery. Before the first and
the 10th treatment, measurements of body composition, blood pressure, rectal temperature, and plasma concentrations of the total pro-oxidative and
antioxidative status, 3-nitrotyrosine and NOx were performed. Results: A significant increase in physiological parameters during sauna treatments,
as well as a significant decrease in the total antioxidative status before the 10th bath, were observed in both groups. The series of sauna baths caused
a significant increase in the total antioxidative status in the T group, and a decrease in the total oxidative status in the NT group. A significant decrease
in 3-nitrotyrosine in both groups before the last treatment, and also in the T group after the last treatment, was noted. In both groups, a significant
increase in NOx concentrations was observed after the first bath. Conclusions: A series of sauna baths contributes to the improvement in the prooxidative/
antioxidative balance. The increased production of nitric oxide may lead to a better vascular relaxation and blood flow. Int J Occup Med
Environ Health. 2020;33(2):173–85