Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate effects of Finnish sauna bathing on lipid profile in healthy, young men. Material and Methods: Sixteen male subjects (20-23 years) were subjected to 10 sauna bathing sessions in a Finnish sauna every 1 or 2 days. The mean sauna temperature was 90±2°C, while humidity was 5-16%. Each session consisted of three 15-minute parts and a 2-minute cool-down between them. The following measurements were taken before and after the sauna sessions: body mass, heart rate, body skinfold thickness. The percentage fat content and then, the lean body mass were calculated. Total cholesterol, triacylglycerols, lipoprotein cholesterol LDL and HDL were measured in blood samples. Results: A statistically significant decrease of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol was observed during 3 weeks of sauna treatment and in the week afterwards. A significant decline in triacylglycerols was found directly after the 1st and 24 h directly after the 10th sauna session. After the 10th sauna session the level of HDL cholesterol remained slightly increased, but this change was not statistically significant. A decrease in blood plasma volume was found directly after the 1st and the last sauna bathing session due to perspiration. An adaptive increase in blood plasma volume was also found after the series of 10 sauna sessions. Conclusions: Ten complete sauna bathing sessions in a Finnish sauna caused a reduction in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol fraction levels during the sessions and a gradual return of these levels to the initial level during the 1st and the 2nd week after the experiment. A small, statistically insignificant increase in HDL-C level and a transient decline in triacylglycerols were observed after those sauna sessions. The positive effect of sauna on lipid profile is similar to the effect that can be obtained through a moderate-intensity physical exercise.

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.

The human immune system is quite complex with respect to its structure and function. A functional immune system is absolutely necessary to maintain the integrity of the human organism. Athletes are a very particular group of people: they are expected to be psychologically and physically prepared for challenges. Even slight immune disorders, e.g., during upper respiratory tract inflammation (URTI), can negatively affect their workouts and their performance during sports events. Unfortunately, authors of scientific reports present no uniform consensus regarding the impact of exercise on the immune system. It is widely accepted that a single exercise session modulates the immune system, whereas heavy exercise to the point of exhaustion suppresses the response of the immune system and moderate physical exercise stimulates immune functions. Following heavy and acute exercise, the most commonly described changes in the indexes of the immune system are: increased numbers of leukocytes (WBC), lymphocytosis with subsequent lymphocytopenia, neutrophilia, monocytosis, decreased IgA concentration in saliva, increased levels of certain cytokines in serum, and reduced phagocytic activity of neutrophils. Moreover, the enhanced activity of NK cells directly following exercise and a decrease in the NK number below normal levels while recovering from exercise have been reported. It has been suggested that physical training affects the immune system through several mechanisms: increased concentrations of steroid hormones (adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol, and growth hormone), muscle damage, reduced levels of glutamine in blood, and psychological stress.Układ odpornościowy człowieka pod względem swojej struktury i funkcji jest niezwykle skomplikowany. Sprawne działanie tego układu jest warunkiem koniecznym do utrzymania integralności ustroju.Sportowcy to szczególna grupa osób, od których wymaga się pełnej sprawności psychofizycznej, dlatego nawet niewielkie zaburzenia odporności, np. podczas infekcji górnych dróg oddechowych (URTI -ang. upper respiratory tract infection), mogą negatywnie wpłynąć na trening, skutkując poniesieniem strat w zawodach sportowych.Niestety wśród autorów publikacji nie ma pełnej zgody w kwestii wpływu wysiłku na system immunologiczny. Dominuje opinia, że jednorazowy wysiłek fizyczny wpływa modulująco na układ immunologiczny, przy czym ciężki wysiłek do wyczerpania osłabia odporność, a tymczasem umiarkowany wysiłek stymuluje funkcje odpornościowe. Najczęściej opisywane zmiany we wskaźnikach układu immunologicznego po ciężkich, intensywnych wysiłkach fizycznych dotyczą: wzrostu całkowitej liczby leukocytów (WBC), limfocytozy z późniejszą limfocytopenią, neutrofilii, -98 -monocytozy, zmniejszenia stężenia immunoglobuliny A (IgA) w ślinie, zwiększenia stężenia w surowicy niektórych cytokin, zmniejszenia aktywności fagocytarnej neutrofilów. Poza wyżej wymienionymi zmianami obserwuje się zwiększoną aktywność komórek NK (ang. natural killer) zaraz po wysiłku oraz spadek ich ilości poniżej wartości spoczynkowyc...