Soak?

December 16th, 2023| Topic: RaMbLeS | 1

What? Soaking in a hot tub has some of the same benefits as going for a 30-minute jog?

Well, apparently that’s a fact. Or so claimeth researchers from Coventry University and Cardiff Metropolitan University in “The Health Benefits of Passive Heating and Aerobic Exercise: To What Extent Do the Mechanisms Overlap?” published in the Journal of Applied Physiology.

These folks studied 20 healthy participants ranging in age from 26–60 years and measured their heart rate, blood pressure, blood flow, anxiety, salivary cortisol, mood, and thermal perception. Three half-hour sessions were performed in a Lay-Z Spa Majorca Hydrojet Pro (a hot tub) at the same time over three separate days.

And guess what? Blood flow to the legs increased by 345%—which is about the same as after a 30-minute jog. And heart rates also shot up by an average of 31 beats per minute, which also works out to be roughly equivalent to a brisk walk. Besides, blood pressure dropped significantly, which the authors said also happens when running and is good for everyone, but especially those with existing heart disease as it’s associated with fewer heart attacks and strokes.

Let’s not forget the mental health advantages. Salivary cortisol levels—which indicate stress— dropped by 22%, something that also happens when exercising. And participants also demonstrated a 10% reduction in anxiety levels—similar to a speedy stroll.

Dr Tom Cullen, assistant professor of research at the Research Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences, at Coventry, and first author:

In modern society, many people are unfortunately leading highly stressed and physically inactive lifestyles which can result in poor health outcomes and increase the likelihood of cardiovascular disease. But many typical lifestyle modifications such as exercise, dieting and quitting smoking are often difficult for many people to maintain for a variety of reasons. Regularly using a hot-tub, however, offers an excellent way of providing a lifestyle modification that has many health benefits.”

Woo-hoo!

Medical interventions for cardiovascular and mental health issues are costly and intrusive, so Cullen and his team hope hot tubs could be an easy and far cheaper way to improve the overall health of folks.

Dr Mariyam Hassan Malik, another British physician who was not involved in the study agreed:

The warmth of a hot tub can help relax your muscles and promote the release of endorphins, which are natural mood elevators and can help reduce stress and anxiety and improve your overall mental wellbeing. It may also promote better sleep as the increase in body temperature followed by a drop in temperature when you leave the bath can signal to your body that it’s time to rest. And hot water can alleviate muscle tension and soreness, while it can also improve circulation and flexibility.”

Not to mention that the steam produced by hot water can help alleviate symptoms of congestion and respiratory conditions like colds and sinusitis.

The Bible concurs that a “soak” is a good idea, though it recommends “fresh oil,” referring to the blessing of God.

And You exalt my horn like [that of] the wild ox;
I have been soaked with fresh oil.
The righteous like a palm tree will flourish,
like a cedar in Lebanon he will grow high.
Planted in the house of Yahweh—
in the courts of our God they will flourish.
They will still prosper in old age;
healthy and fresh they will be,
to proclaim that Yahweh is upright—
my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.
Psalm 92:10–15

Time to dive into my hot-tub (filled, alas, only by H₂O)!

SOURCE: Sun; Journal of Applied Physiology