2025, Vol. 12, Issue 5, Part F

Background: Psychological recovery is increasingly recognised as a vital component of optimising athletic performance. While physical recovery methods have been extensively examined, the psychological benefits of hydrothermal therapies remain relatively under-investigated, particularly concerning mood regulation and fatigue perception among competitive athletes.
Objective: To explore the effects of sauna bath, steam bath, and whirlpool bath interventions on psychological variables, specifically mood disturbance and perception of fatigue, in male university athletes over a six-week intervention period.
Methods: A randomised controlled trial was conducted involving 40 male university athletes aged 18-25 years. Participants were assigned to four groups (N=10 each): Sauna, steam, whirlpool, and a control group. Psychological assessments were performed using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire and the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS) at baseline and following the intervention. Each experimental group received three 20-minute recovery sessions weekly for six weeks.
Results: Notable psychological improvements were observed across the intervention groups. The sauna group exhibited the most significant reduction in mood disturbance (-40.07%) and a notable decrease in fatigue perception (-22.92%). The steam therapy group achieved substantial mood enhancement (-34.28%) and the most significant reduction in fatigue perception (-30.99%). Whirlpool therapy demonstrated moderate mood improvement (a 17.76% increase, indicating worsening) but a significant decrease in fatigue perception (-28.05%). The control group showed deterioration in both measures.
Conclusions: Hydrothermal recovery methods, particularly sauna and steam therapies, offer significant psychological benefits for university athletes. These results support the incorporation of heat-based recovery techniques into comprehensive athletic programs that prioritise both physical and mental well-being.