Can sitting in heat help your muscles like exercise?
Passive heat therapy in sedentary humans increases skeletal muscle capillarization and eNOS content but not mitochondrial density or GLUT4 content.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Passive heat therapy improved aerobic capacity and insulin sensitivity without increasing mitochondrial density or metabolic markers in muscle.
Most scientists assume that better fitness and insulin sensitivity come from improved mitochondrial function. This study shows those gains can happen even when mitochondria don’t change — challenging the traditional view.
Practical Takeaways
If you're unable to exercise, regular passive heat therapy (e.g., sauna or heat chamber sessions) may help improve blood vessel health and insulin sensitivity.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Passive heat therapy improved aerobic capacity and insulin sensitivity without increasing mitochondrial density or metabolic markers in muscle.
Most scientists assume that better fitness and insulin sensitivity come from improved mitochondrial function. This study shows those gains can happen even when mitochondria don’t change — challenging the traditional view.
Practical Takeaways
If you're unable to exercise, regular passive heat therapy (e.g., sauna or heat chamber sessions) may help improve blood vessel health and insulin sensitivity.
Publication
Journal
American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology
Year
2019
Authors
K. Hesketh, S. Shepherd, J. Strauss, D. Low, Robert J. Cooper, A. Wagenmakers, M. Cocks
Related Content
Claims (4)
Doing light, steady exercise—like a brisk walk—can boost the energy powerhouses in your muscles.
Sitting in a hot room for about 45 minutes three times a week might improve blood vessel health in inactive young guys just as much as regular cycling — even if they don’t actually exercise.
Sitting in heat for six weeks doesn’t give young inactive guys the same muscle benefits as regular cardio exercise — things like energy production and fat storage in muscles don’t improve like they do with actual workouts.
Sitting in heat for six weeks can be as good as regular cardio for improving fitness and blood sugar control in young, inactive guys—even though the heat doesn’t change muscle metabolism. The benefits might come from better blood flow in small vessels instead.