特定波長的遠紅外線（如4~14μm）一直以來都被認為對動物體的生理反應有積極的影響，不過卻缺乏令人信服的證據。本研究的目的為探討遠紅外線能量在生物組織的深入傳遞能力，與對人體血流之影響，並與近紅外線之比較。透過實驗得知，遠紅外線可引發下列之反應：一、在離體豬肉模型中，遠紅外線熱傳遞的能力高於近紅外線，可使深層組織溫度上升。二、在活體老鼠中，遠紅外線較不會使核心溫度上升，可解釋為遠紅外線較能引發自體的體溫調節。三、在用遠紅外線照射人體的手臂實驗中，手臂照射處的皮膚表層血流量，不管是照射遠紅外線或近紅外線，皆會上升，但兩者並無統計上的差異，上升之後回歸到原本血流量的時間，亦無統計上的差異；量測手指未照射處的皮膚表層血流量，遠、近紅外線皆無顯著上升。本研究發現遠紅外線熱傳遞的能力比近紅外線佳，對體溫的影響較小，所以遠紅外線較近紅外線適合作為日常保健的工具，發生因溫度過高而中暑的機率也會減低。

　It is believed that some specific spectra of Far-infrared （FIR）(e.g. 4-14μm) have positive influence on the human physiological responses. However, there is no convinceful evidences. The main aims of this research are to study the transferring ability of Far-infrared into biological tissues and the enhancing ability of Far-infrared to blood flow. Trough the animal experiments, we have found the following responses: 1. FIR energy can be transferred deeper than near-infrared in vitro pig skin model. 2. FIR enhances core temperature less than near-infrared in vivo mouse model. 3. Skin blood flow on radiated area (forearm) increases after either FIR or near-infrared radiation. On non-radiated area (finger), the blood flow does not change significantly. In short, FIR energy can transferred deeper than near-infrared, but has less influence to body temperature. Therefore, FIR is more effective and has lower risk of heatstroke if we use FIR as a health care tool.

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