Sauna use has a major impact on athletic performance. Heat tolerance is increased, lessening the chance of heat injury or heat stroke. Circulation is generally increased especially to the heart and musculature resulting in reduced cardiovascular strain and lowering of resting heart rate.¹ Performance endurance is improved up to 32%. Plasma volume is increased by 7.1% and red blood cells (RBC’s) by 3.5%. ²

Muscle will use less glycogen. Hyperthermic therapy can reduce glycogen use by 40-50% and lactic acid build up is decreased with heat acclimation.³

Sauna use synergistically combines with high intensity exercise, and intermittent fasting to naturally produce human growth hormone production and release. ^{4 5 6}

Human growth hormone (HGH) levels drop dramatically as we age, worsening the aging process and associated muscle loss. Maintaining HGH levels is critical to prevent muscle atrophy and muscle loss associated with aging. Sauna use along with exercise can help slow down the aging process and also promotes the release of BDNF (Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor) important for brain health. ⁷

Healthy levels of heat stress encountered in the sauna induce the production of heat shock proteins (HSPs). When cells in our bodies are exposed to heat stress DNA separation leads to HSP synthesis. "Heat shock proteins (HSPs) chaperone other cellular proteins, guarding them from going astray, folding improperly or misassembling while forming larger aggregates". ⁸ HSPs help prevent and repair damaged proteins promoting muscle growth. HSPs eliminate free radicals and maintain healthy glutathione levels supporting intracellular antioxidant capability.

Animal studies suggest that marked muscle regrowth may occur when subjects are exposed to heat stress. Sauna use dramatically slows muscle atrophy during disuse after muscle injury and immobilization. Animal studies demonstrate a 30% increase in muscle regrowth after immobilization. ⁹   In our drug driven society the use of prescription medications is at an all-time high. Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs are widely used. One side effect of their use is rhabdomyolysis, a very serious degenerative muscle disorder that results in profound muscle loss. Heat shock proteins help protect against this complication. ¹⁰

A recent study widely reported in the media examined Finnish men over 20+ year period demonstrating a significant increase in longevity as well as a profound decrease in fatal cardiac and other fatal vascular events. ¹¹  Animal studies suggest that HSP’s may be directly involved in these fantastic benefits of sauna use.

Hyperthermic (“sauna”) conditioning may indirectly improve athletic performance by improving insulin sensitivity. At least one animal study found that hyperthermic treatment decreased insulin levels. ¹²  Insulin not only controls glucose homeostasis but affects protein metabolism too. Improving insulin sensitivity tends to decrease muscle catabolism and increase muscle synthesis. There are implications here for not only muscle performance but for Type 2 Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome as well.

Sauna use (hyperthermic conditioning or therapy) helps to reset the balance between new protein synthesis and protein degradation to a state of net protein synthesis. Sauna therapy acts synergistically to increase muscle growth with heat shock proteins (HSPs) slowing and preventing muscle protein degradation. Sauna use acts to increase muscle growth by three mechanisms

• Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs)
• Marked increase in Growth Hormone production (HGH)
• Improved Insulin Sensitivity

Many of the changes that proceed from Sauna use benefit both the musculoskeletal system and the brain and nervous system. Sauna use will benefit not only for those seeking to increase athletic performance but cognitive performance as well.

activating stem cells to produce more brain tissue. BNDF helps protect the motor side of the nervous system from age related atrophy and induces the production of multiple other beneficial chemicals. Heat stress is also implicated in increasing brain focus and attention levels. Myelin growth may be promoted. Myelin is the key component of the sheath surrounding neuronal cells. Heat stress also boosts endorphin release.

A large and rapidly growing body of knowledge supports the use of near infrared light to treat and prevent many illnesses, physical and toxic injuries, and other health conditions. ¹³ A few are listed above.

Humans and other animal and plant species, by Nature’s design, have been programmed to utilize near infrared light. Sunlight that reaches the earth’s surface contains 52% to 55% infrared light. ¹⁴ Our bodies have tiny receptors called chromophores that absorb near infrared light between 600 nanometers (nm) and 950 nm. ¹⁵

“Mitochondria are thought to be a likely site for the initial effects of light, leading to increased ATP production, modulation of reactive oxygen species and induction of transcription factors. These effects in turn lead to increased cell proliferation and migration (particularly by fibroblasts), modulation in levels of cytokines, growth factors and inflammatory mediators, and increased tissue oxygenation.” ¹⁶

Principal tissue chromophores such as hemoglobin and melanin absorb light below 600 nm and water (H2O) begins to absorb incoming light above 1150nm. There is an optical window of reduced absorption in human tissue between 600 nm and 1150nm where penetration is maximized. ¹⁷

Studies from many laboratories confirm that the action spectra of living tissues and cells is between 600nm and 950nm, exclusively within the near infrared light band. ¹⁸ Here is a compiled graphic of this data. ¹⁹

The above illustration also demonstrates effects on the nervous system by Low Level Near Infrared Light. NIR light is absorbed  by Cytochrome oxidase, the terminal enzyme in the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Cytochrome oxidase has a key role in neuronal physiology, as it serves as an interface between the oxidative energy metabolism and cell survival signaling pathways. Cytochrome oxidase is an ideal target for cognitive enhancement, as its expression reflects the changes in metabolic capacity underlying higher-order brain functions. This is a photochemical mechanism for cognitive-enhancing and brain-stimulatory effects in animal models and humans. NIR light directly provides neuroprotection and cognitive enhancement by facilitating mitochondrial respiration, with hormetic dose–response effects and brain region activational specificity. ²⁰ These effects are independent of beneficial effects to the brain by hyperthermic conditioning.

While not directly involved with performance enhancement concern about body fat and cellulite is almost universal. NIR light works synergistically with exercise to increase weight loss.  This study group lost 444% more body weight by combining NIR light therapy with exercise than the control group doing exercise only. ²¹ using NIR phototherapy alone and in combination with other modalities have demonstrated decreases in cellulite accumulation. ^{22 23} 

NASA studies have shown that NIR light penetrates up to 9 in (23 cm) of tissue, activating chromophores and cytochrome systems across that depth. ²⁴  Multiple energy systems are stimulated in and outside key mitochondrial processes. 

Multiple studies show accelerated healing of wounds and other types of tissue injury using NIR light. A great example is the use of NIR light therapy to treat disorders and injury to the eyes. ²⁵ Rather than causing injury to the eye, near infrared light helps the eyes heal. In a scientific study, mice were blinded by chemical injury (methanol) and the blindness was reversed with the application of NIR light therapy. ²⁶ There is a growing body of evidence demonstrating the powerful healing effects of NIR light. NIR light promotes faster cell regeneration and human tissue growth. 

Low level light therapy has been shown to reduce joint and muscle pain in rats. ²⁷ Penetrating near infrared light attacks joint and muscle problems from multiple angles. ²⁸  

The deeply penetrating near infrared light helps unlock even hard to get toxins. The rapid and profound sweating response that takes place in the relaxed atmosphere of a near infrared sauna under parasympathetic nervous system control ("rest & digest" not "flight or fight") combines with NIR phototherapy to produce marked detoxification. ²⁹

Near infrared light stimulates vital collagen and elastin production. Collagen helps plump the skin, while elastin firms the skin. The visible red and NIR light energizes and repairs damaged cells, stimulating collagen and elastin and returning the skin to a more youthful look. NIR light is being used currently to treat specific skin problems such as psoriasis, acne scars, eczema, rosacea and more.³⁰