Respiratory Effects on Exercise and Whole Thermotolerance(Sauna) Stress in Obese Patients.

The purpose of this study was to assess the physiological influences of exercise and whole thermotolerance (sauna) stress with respiratory gas analysis in obese patients. The following results were obtained. (1) Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) and maximal heart rate (HR max) on exercise were remarkably increased compared with resting, while VO2 max had a mild increase and HR max had a moderate increase on sauna stress. (2) The relation between VO2 and HR was positive on exercise in obese patients. (3) The respiratory quotient (RQ) was significantly decreased after sauna stress, although it was increased after exercise. In conclusion, energy expenditure would be attributable to not only glucose but also fat metabolism on sauna stress, while it would be mainly attributable to glucose metabolism on exercise.