Maintaining muscle mass and strength is essential throughout the lifespan, particularly in one's later years when metabolic, dietary, and environmental factors drive catabolic processes. One strategy for addressing the insidious nature of muscle loss as we age is through sauna use, which exposes the body to extreme heat. This exposure increases the body's core temperature and activates a wide array of protective mechanisms that work together to condition the body for future stressors, a biological phenomenon known as hormesis.

The mechanisms that drive the effects of sauna bathing include activation of heat shock proteins and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines; decreased blood pressure and arterial stiffness; and multiple improvements in cardiovascular function. Evidence suggests that heat stress from sauna use may reduce muscle losses during periods of disuse and aid in slowing sarcopenia. In this clip, Dr. Stuart Phillips discusses how heat stress promotes muscle health and reduces muscle loss.