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Purpose: Age-associated changes in arterial structure and function increase risk of cardiovascular disease. Previous studies have found that the body temperature response might influence acute changes in arterial stiffness after exercise. However, the relationship between increased body temperature during warm bathing and arterial stiffness has not been clarified. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effects of increases in body temperature by bathing in warm water on arterial stiffness in elderly subjects. Methods: Healthy elderly 8 subjects (8 males, mean age ± standard error: 61.1 ± 1.1 years) bathed in water at 35°C, 38°C, and 40°C for 15 min. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (aortic PWV) and femoral-ankle PWV (leg PWV), blood pressure, heart rate, and rectal temperature were measured at baseline and at 30 and 60 min after bathing, in a quiet and air-conditioned room at the same time in the morning. Results: Rectal temperature was significantly increased at 30 and 60 min after bathing at 38°C and 40°C, whereas leg PWV significantly decreased. Heart rate significantly increased at 30 and 60 min after bathing at 40°C. Blood pressure did not change after bathing at any temperature. Conclusion: The present study showed that leg PWV significantly decreased in elderly subjects after bathing at 40°C, but not at 35°C and 38°C. However the underlying mechanism of the decrease remains unknown and these effects might depend on increased body temperature. Thus, it is suggested that warm bathing might affect the decrease in leg arterial stiffness.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: Age-associated changes in arterial structure and function increase risk of cardiovascular disease. Previous studies have found that the body temperature response might influence acute changes in arterial stiffness after exercise. However, the relationship between increased body temperature during warm bathing and arterial stiffness has not been clarified. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effects of increases in body temperature by bathing in warm water on arterial stiffness in elderly subjects. Methods: Healthy elderly 8 subjects (8 males, mean age ± standard error: 61.1 ± 1.1 years) bathed in water at 35°C, 38°C, and 40°C for 15 min. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (aortic PWV) and femoral-ankle PWV (leg PWV), blood pressure, heart rate, and rectal temperature were measured at baseline and at 30 and 60 min after bathing, in a quiet and air-conditioned room at the same time in the morning. Results: Rectal temperature was significantly increased at 30 and 60 min after bathing at 38°C and 40°C, whereas leg PWV significantly decreased. Heart rate significantly increased at 30 and 60 min after bathing at 40°C. Blood pressure did not change after bathing at any temperature. Conclusion: The present study showed that leg PWV significantly decreased in elderly subjects after bathing at 40°C, but not at 35°C and 38°C. However the underlying mechanism of the decrease remains unknown and these effects might depend on increased body temperature. Thus, it is suggested that warm bathing might affect the decrease in leg arterial stiffness.
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<B>Purpose</B><br> The effects of10 min bathing at 41°C and 200 m/1.2min running inducing similar tachycardic response were examined comparatively on cardiovascular functions, blood gas and tissue metabolism, and peripheral blood compositions.<br><B>Subjects and Methods</B><br> The subjects examined were 13 healthy males (28.7±3.6 yrs). They kept rest for 30min before bathing and running study and measurements of blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), sublingual temperature and skin blood flow and a indwellng catheter for blood sampling in cubital vein were performed. The subjects had 41°C bathing for 10 min and 200 m running/1.2 min (10km/hr) separately which induced the increase in heart rate by 30bpm in preliminary study. Measurements and blood sampling were done just after the loading (bathing or running) and 15min after the loading.<br><B>Results and Discussion</B><br> The increase in HR just after bathing and running were nearly the same level, 27 and 25 bpm, respectively. The increase in systolic BP after running was greater than that after bathing, and diastolic BP was significantly reduced after bathing from resting level. Sublingual temperature and skin blood flow were increased only after bathing suggesting the marked thermal vasodilation.<br> After bathing, venous pO<SUB>2</SUB> was significantly increased and pCO<SUB>2</SUB> was significantly decreased, and there were no significant changes in lactate and pyruvate level. On the contrary, after 200 m running, venous pO<SUB>2</SUB> was decreased and pCO<SUB>2</SUB> was increased, and blood lactate, pyruvate and P/L ratio were significantly increased. These changes show that bathing provides tissue full oxygenation and washout of CO<SUB>2</SUB> by increased blood supply without metabolic activation. After running, increased glycolysis in muscle and delayed oxidation by TCA cycle were suggested.<br> As the increase in WBC after bathing (+6%) and exercise (+22%) subsided very shortly., these changes might be explained by mixing perivascular flow enriched with leucocytes and central flow enriched with plasma due to increased circulation. Previous reports on the change of lymphocyte subsets after bathing and exercise should be examined from this viewpoint. The role of plasma concentration estimated from the changes in RBC and plasma protein was relatively low, around 2% by bathing and 4% by running.<br><B>Conclusion</B><br> Health promotion by bathing seems to be conducted through sufficient O<SUB>2</SUB> supply and washout of CO<SUB>2</SUB> by thermal vasodilation without metabolic activation. Health promotion by exercise is induced by strong activation of cardiovascular and muscle metabolic function. Combination of passive effects by bathing and active exercise will be favorable for balanced health promotion.
ABSTRACT
Purpose The effects of 10 min bathing at 41°C and 200 m/1.2min running inducing similar tachycardic response were examined comparatively on cardiovascular functions, blood gas and tissue metabolism, and peripheral blood compositions. Subjects and Methods The subjects examined were 13 healthy males (28.7±3.6 yrs). They kept rest for 30min before bathing and running study and measurements of blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), sublingual temperature and skin blood flow and a indwellng catheter for blood sampling in cubital vein were performed. The subjects had 41°C bathing for 10 min and 200 m running/1.2 min (10km/hr) separately which induced the increase in heart rate by 30bpm in preliminary study. Measurements and blood sampling were done just after the loading (bathing or running) and 15min after the loading. Results and Discussion The increase in HR just after bathing and running were nearly the same level, 27 and 25 bpm, respectively. The increase in systolic BP after running was greater than that after bathing, and diastolic BP was significantly reduced after bathing from resting level. Sublingual temperature and skin blood flow were increased only after bathing suggesting the marked thermal vasodilation. After bathing, venous pO2 was significantly increased and pCO2 was significantly decreased, and there were no significant changes in lactate and pyruvate level. On the contrary, after 200 m running, venous pO2 was decreased and pCO2 was increased, and blood lactate, pyruvate and P/L ratio were significantly increased. These changes show that bathing provides tissue full oxygenation and washout of CO2 by increased blood supply without metabolic activation. After running, increased glycolysis in muscle and delayed oxidation by TCA cycle were suggested. As the increase in WBC after bathing (+6%) and exercise (+22%) subsided very shortly., these changes might be explained by mixing perivascular flow enriched with leucocytes and central flow enriched with plasma due to increased circulation. Previous reports on the change of lymphocyte subsets after bathing and exercise should be examined from this viewpoint. The role of plasma concentration estimated from the changes in RBC and plasma protein was relatively low, around 2% by bathing and 4% by running. Conclusion Health promotion by bathing seems to be conducted through sufficient O2 supply and washout of CO2 by thermal vasodilation without metabolic activation. Health promotion by exercise is induced by strong activation of cardiovascular and muscle metabolic function. Combination of passive effects by bathing and active exercise will be favorable for balanced health promotion.
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Dry skin causes many skin disorders such as dry dermatitis. It requires a lot of time and medication to treat patients with skin disorder that cover a vast skin area. Although glycerin is a component of many skin care creams and cosmetics, there is no report regarding the effects of glycerin alone as a bathwater additive. We investigated the effects of bathing in warm water with added glycerin on skin conditions and the prevention of skin disorders in patients with severe motor and intellectual disabilities.<br>Two studies were conducted to analyze the effects of a glycerin+warm water bath (GWWB). In study 1, the skin conditions in a total of 18 subjects were compared between the glycerin group (G) and nonglycerin group (NG). In the G group, skin moisture, skin pH, and skin sebum were measured with a skin analyzer noninvasively at the forehead and precordial and lateral forearm after GWWB for approximately 6 months. Subjects in the 2 groups had bathed 2 times per week and were immersed in warm water at 40 to 41°C for 2 to 3min. In the G group, 250ml glycerin was added in a 14001 bathtub. In study 2, a total of 78 subjects were examined retrospectively; their medical records after GWWB for approximately 6 months were investigated to gain information regarding cutaneous diseases (number of diagnosis, drugs, areas affected with cutaneous diseases, and days of treatment) in order to compare the G and NG groups.<br>Skin moisture levels at forearm improved significantly (p<0.05) in the G group. The average skin moisture level in other areas was higher in the G group than in the NG group but without sig nificance. Skin sebum levels at the forehead improved significantly (p<0.05) in the G group. The number of diagnosis, drugs, and areas with cutaneous disease were significantly lower in the G group than in the NG group. Further, the average number of treatment days was lower in case of the G group than in case of the NG group but without significance.<br>The moisturizing effects are produced due to a thin film formed by glycerin after GWWB, especially in an area where there is friction between the skin and clothes. Skin sebum is also maintained due to glycerin-film formation.<br>It is possible that maintenance of skin moisture protects the skin from cutaneous diseases due to xerosis. In conclusion, these results indicate that GWWB maintains skin moisture and sebum and prevents skin disorders.
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Effects of cold and warm water bathing of hemiplegic lower limb on its isokinetic muscle strength were studied in 12 chronic stroke patients (9 males and 3 females, 53.3±14.2 yo, Ueda's grading 8.5±1.6 Grade).<br>Measurements of the isokinetic muscle strength of the knee flexion/extension were repeated three times; 1) after sitting for 10min at room temperature (21-22°C) as a control, 2) after cold water bathing (18°C) of hemiplegic lower limb for 5min, 3) after warm water bathing (41°C, 700ppm artificial CO<sub>2</sub> bath) of hemiplegic lower limb for 10min. The measurements were performed, using Cybex 6000 (Cybex international Co) at velocities of 60, 120, 180 and 240°/sec. Artificial CO<sub>2</sub> bath was prepared by dissolving Kao Babu (Kao Co) in 41°C warm water.<br>Peak torque of the knee flexions at any velocity decreased significantly after cold water bathing and imcreased after warm water bathing. Change in the maximum power and total work were similar to that of the peak torque. The muscle strength of the knee extension were not changed by neither cold nor warm water bathing.<br>The correlation coefficient between Ueda's Grade and its isokinetic muscle strength ranged from 0.3 to 0.6 and significantly improved after warm water bathing at velocity of 120 (°/second) in flexion. Warm water bathing might make it easy to exert their muscle strength at 120°/sec in flexion corresponding to their severity of their hemiplegia.<br>Regarding to the influence of spasticity, patients with no ankle clonus or pseudoclonus showed a tendency to increase in muscle strength of flexion and extension after warm water bathing. In patients with evident clonus, a tendency to decrease on extension and increase on flexion was seen after warm water bathing.<br>Further studies on the effects of warm water bathing of partial and full immersion in the treatment for spasticity of hemiplegic limb would contribute to stroke rehabilitation.
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This study was conducted to assess the effects of bathing in still water and in flowing water on the heart rate variability. Eight healthy young males (age 20 to 28) bathed in still water at temperatures of 34°C, 38°C, and 41°C for 20 minutes each. The other eight healthy young males (age 22 to 28) bathed in flowing water at a temperature of 36°C for 30 minutes. Electrocardiograms were recorded before, during, and after the bathing. Subjects sat still for 20 minutes before bathing, and then bathed in water to the axilla in a sitting position. Subjects breathed freely during the experiment. Heart rate variability was estimated with the power spectral analysis using FFT. The power densities in the high frequency (0.15 to 0.50Hz) and low frequency (0.04 to 0.15Hz) areas as obtained from this frequency analysis (HF and LF) as well as the ratio of LF/HF were calculated, and HF was used as index of cardiac parasympathetic activity, LF as index of sympathetic activity with parasympathetic modulation, and LF/HF as index of sympathetic activity.<br>During bathing in still water at 34°C and 36°C, no significant change from the value before the bathing was found in heart rate, HF, LF, or LF/HF. HF and LF significantly decreased during the bathing in still water at 38°C and 41°C, LF/HF significantly increased during the bathing in still water at 38°C, During the bathing in still water at 41°C, we could not calculate LF/HF for many subjects because HF disappeared. During the bathing in water flowing at a moderate speed (1.0m/sec), LF/HF increased significantly. During the bathing in water flowing at a high speed (2.0m/sec), heart rate and LF/HF increased significantly while LF decreased significantly.<br>These results suggest that parasympathetic nervous activities are suppressed and sympathetic nervous activities are enhanced during bathing in still water at temperatures higher than the neutral temperature (34°C), and sympathetic nervous activity is enhanced during the bathing in flowing water at 36°C, However, the effects of respiration rate and tidal-volume on HF, and the validity of the HR variabilities as an index of autonomic nervous activities should be examined in further detail.
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The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of warm water bathing (40°C) of the hand on the psychologic sweating measured in the opposite palm. The subjects were 2 males and 4 females, aged 38±10 years (26-58 years). The psychologic sweating was estimated by the apparatus developed by Sakaguchi et al (Sakaguchi, M. et al BME 26: 213, 1988). The room temperature was 27 to 28°C and the relative humidity was 60 to 70%. The sensor was attached using adhesive tape on the right palm. Then the psychologic sweating was measured after deep respiration, mental arithmetic, hand grip, bathing in warm water of 40°C at the level of left wrist. The results showed that the mean values of palmar sweating were 15.6 for deep respiration, 16.8 for mental arithmetic, 15.5 for hand grip and 0 for warm water bathing.<br>Above results suggest that local water bathing of moderate temperature induces a decrease of psychologic sweating, probably due to relaxing effect of the cerebrum.