Heat Treatment Increases Muscle Capillarization but Not Protein Synthesis in Older Adults
Author Information
Author(s): C. J. Fuchs, M. W. Betz, H. L. Petrick, J. Weber, J. M. Senden, F. K. Hendriks, J. L. M. Bels, L. J. C. van Loon, T. Snijders
Primary Institution: Maastricht University Medical Centre+
Hypothesis
Does prolonged passive heat treatment improve muscle protein synthesis and capillarization in healthy older adults?
Conclusion
Prolonged passive heat treatment increases muscle tissue capillarization but does not improve muscle protein synthesis rates or leg strength in healthy older adults.
Supporting Evidence
- Type I and type II muscle fibre capillarization strongly increased following PHT.
- No changes were observed in muscle protein synthesis rates after PHT.
- Prolonged PHT did not induce muscle hypertrophy or increase leg strength.
- Improvements in cardiovascular health markers were noted after PHT.
Takeaway
Sitting in a hot sauna can help your muscles get more tiny blood vessels, but it won't make your muscles grow bigger or stronger.
Methodology
14 older adults underwent 8 weeks of infrared sauna sessions, and muscle biopsies were taken to assess capillarization and protein synthesis rates.
Limitations
The study did not include a control group and had a small sample size, limiting the ability to generalize findings.
Participant Demographics
14 healthy older adults (9 males, 5 females; average age 73 ± 6 years)
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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