Περίληψη:
The importance of thermoregulation lies in the fact that temperature as a physical parameter is crucial both for cellular function and humans' survival. The thermoregulatory system correlates not only with the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal system but also with neural activity and pain sensation. Whole-body water immersion can alter both the core and skin temperature and induce physiological changes. Therefore, in Balneology, water immersion ranges between 20-42°C covered a wide range of therapeutic applications. We aim to investigate thermoregulatory and cardiovascular responses in carbonated (CO₂) baths versus plain water baths at different temperatures. This research's base was the scoping literature method. A standard literary search was performed on PubMed and Google Scholar. The words “Immersion” “Bath” was used either as solely searched terms and MeSH terms or in combination with the text words “thermoregulatory response” “warm” “thermoneutral”. The inclusion criteria were: water immersion from the diaphragm level up to the xiphoid sternum in humans either in plain or thermal water (artificial or natural), total body fat 20-30%, or body mass index 18.5-24.9kg/m², ambient temperature 24-30°C and 40-60% relative humidity. Exclusion criteria set individuals with health problems and contrast baths. 12 articles were considered eligible for inclusion. The literature findings showed that the immersion in plain water at 20-28°C significantly decreased the core temperature in a gradual manner, while at 29-37°C, no changes were observed. By contrast, CO₂ baths at temperatures 30-35°C caused a statistically significant drop in core temperature with parallel a significant elevation of skin blood flow. Nonetheless, the core temperature increased significantly above 38°C water temperature from the 5th minute and could reach 39.5°C in the second immersion hour with a parallel elevation of sweat rate and blood circulation. However, at a greater level in CO₂ baths, possibly due to higher heat conductance, extreme vasodilatation, and prevailed function of warm thermoreceptors. Besides, skin temperature did not differed between the two types of baths at different temperatures. In conclusion, the thermoregulatory-mechanical responses may be influenced by chemical water compositions as in the case of CO₂ baths, but further investigation is needed due to limited experimental work. The review of the literature suggests that carbonated water baths at 30-35°C may attenuate the heat stress on the cardiovascular system, and consequently that in turn may affect the therapeutic properties of hydrotherapy. It is essential to understand the thermal load during Balneotherapy to determine the aquatic's session duration to be safe and beneficial.
