Infrared Sauna Benefits for Athletes - Improve Health and Performance

What Is An Infrared Sauna?

Have you heard about infrared saunas? If you are an athlete and have not yet tried infrared sauna therapy, then you are really missing out on something special.

Infrared saunas are a bit different from conventional saunas because these saunas utilize far-infrared light to produce heat rather than water. The FAR feature refers to the region from where infrared waves fall on the light spectrum. A normal sauna consumes water and produces steam to raise the temperature of the air around your body before heating you whereas an infra-red sauna directly raises the temperature of your body without influencing the temperature around you.

Most people recommend infrared sauna therapy because it offers the same benefits as a regular workout and causes increased sweating and heart rate.

These infrared saunas give the same outcome at a lesser temperature than a regular sauna. This feature makes them a good choice for people who don't enjoy elevated temperatures. But that's not the only advantage these devices offer. 

Apart from providing relaxation, these saunas turn out to be a game-changer for those dealing with conditions like Arthritis, type 2 diabetes, headaches, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, high blood pressure, and cardiac conditions. More research continues to be done on how infrared saunas can be used as an effective treatment.

Health Benefits Provided by Infrared Saunas

Some of the major health benefits of infrared saunas include:

Minimized Pain

Saunas help to enhance blood circulation which ultimately results in reduced soreness, eases muscle movement, and also helps to treat arthritis pain.

Reduced Stress Levels

The best way to chill out after a huge workout can be laying down under a sauna blanket. It promotes relaxation and boosts the release of endorphins.

Reduced Heart Troubles

According to research, the use of sauna blankets helps maintain your cardiac health.

Improved Brain Functions

By excessive sweating, your mind is more relaxed due to the release of endorphins which also promotes better functioning.

Detoxification and Boosting The Immune System

The increase in temperature helps the body to boost its natural immune system.

Increased sweating helps to eliminate toxins from the body.

One study revealed athletes showed a reduction in the levels of cholesterol on their lipid panels after spending time in infrared sauna therapy. 

Why Do Athletes Prefer Using Infrared Sauna Therapy?

Athletes often worry about maintaining muscle strength. Many prefer to use the infrared sauna because they help maintain oxygen levels, endurance, and stamina, especially after high exertion.

A major advantage of using an infrared sauna is the acceleration of the erythropoietin hormone which boosts the production of red blood cells.

The infrared sauna helps athletes increase their performance and energy by establishing a well-maintained blood-oxygen count. Since a major consequence of low blood volume is muscle fatigue, saunas help you deal with this issue efficiently.

Moreover, muscle recovery time influences the overall performance of athletes and should never be overlooked. The infrared rays from the sauna get absorbed into the muscles and heal them in a short span of time.

Which Particular Athletes Use Infrared Sauna?

Powerlifters

An infrared sauna is highly recommended by the most renowned weightlifters as it helps them heal muscle and regain strength.

Swimmers

Swimmers who spend hours in the water and their bodies need to relax and warm up so these infrared saunas use the dry heat to warm up their bodies and help their muscles relax after high exertion. Infrared sauna therapy serves as one of the most effective means to loosen the muscles.

Sumo Wrestlers

We asked sumo wrestlers about their experience using infrared saunas and they were of the opinion that their recovery levels increased considerably since they started using them regularly.

Endurance Athletes

Endurance athletes have to spend hours running, swimming, and cycling so they need to relax their muscles after extended training sessions and infrared saunas are a great solution. 

Spending time in a sauna can help endurance athletes maintain a release of erythropoietin. This allows for plasma volume and red blood cell count to be maintained.

Saunas - Good For Muscle Recovery

Many surveys support the idea that saunas are the best solutions to prevent muscle injuries as they help the muscle recovery process. 

Moreover, it was found that saunas helped to increase the endurance time of muscles too.

Hockey, Football, Baseball, and Soccer Players 

An athlete's major goal is to keep the muscles intact. Using an infrared sauna helps these athletes feel refreshed and relaxed, They also reduce the stress hormones in the body

Uncommon Sports

If you are a sports lover and spend the majority of your time involved in different activities like car racing, archery, shooting, and hunting then infrared saunas can be really beneficial for you as well. 

Final Word

Athletes should prioritize the recovery of their bodies before anything. Infrared saunas are an amazing way to help them do this.