Intra-Individual Variability in Sweating Rate and Sweat Sodium Concentration with Changes in Exercise Intensity

Context:There is interest in including recommendations for the replacement of the sodium lost in sweat in individualized hydration plans for athletes.Purpose:Although the regional absorbent-patch method provides a practical approach to measuring sweat sodium losses in field conditions, there is a need to understand the variability of estimates associated with this technique.Methods:Sweat samples were collected from the forearms, chest, scapula, and thigh of 12 cyclists during 2 standardized cycling time trials in the heat and 2 in temperate conditions. Single measure analysis of sodium concentration was conducted immediately by ion-selective electrodes (ISE). A subset of 30 samples was frozen for reanalysis of sodium concentration using ISE, flame photometry (FP), and conductivity (SC).Results:Sweat samples collected in hot conditions produced higher sweat sodium concentrations than those from the temperate environment (P= .0032). A significant difference (P= .0048) in estimates of sweat sodium concentration was evident when calculated from the forearm average (mean ± 95% CL; 64 ± 12 mmol/L) compared with using a 4-site equation (70 ± 12 mmol/L). There was a high correlation between the values produced using different analytical techniques (r2= .95), but mean values were different between treatments (frozen FP, frozen SC > immediate ISE > frozen ISE;P< .0001).Conclusion:Whole-body sweat sodium concentration estimates differed depending on the number of sites included in the calculation. Environmental testing conditions should be considered in the interpretation of results. The impact of sample freezing and subsequent analytical technique was small but statistically significant. Nevertheless, when undertaken using a standardized protocol, the regional absorbent-patch method appears to be a relatively robust field test.

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Water Balance and Salt Losses in Competitive Football

International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism ◽

10.1123/ijsnem.17.6.583 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 17 (6) ◽

pp. 583-594 ◽

Cited By ~ 56

Author(s):

Ronald J. Maughan ◽

Phillip Watson ◽

Gethin H. Evans ◽

Nicholas Broad ◽

Susan M. Shirreffs

Keyword(s):

Urine Osmolality ◽

Sodium Concentration ◽

Individual Variability ◽

Fluid Replacement ◽

Hydration Status ◽

Large Individual ◽

Cool Environment ◽

Football Match ◽

Before And After ◽

Sweat Sodium

Fluid balance and sweat electrolyte losses were measured in the players and substitutes engaged in an English Premier League Reserve competitive football match played at an ambient temperature of 6–8 °C (relative humidity 50–60%). Intake of water and/or sports drink and urine output were recorded, and sweat composition was estimated from absorbent swabs applied to 4 skin sites for the duration of the game. Body mass was recorded before and after the game. Data were obtained for 22 players (age 21 y, height 180 cm, mass 78 kg) and 9 substitutes (17 y, 181 cm, 72 kg). All were male. Two of the players were dismissed during the game, and none of the substitutes played any part in the game. Mean ± SD sweat loss of players amounted to 1.68 ± 0.40 L, and mean fluid intake was 0.84 ± 0.47 L (n = 20), with no difference between teams. Corresponding values for substitutes, none of whom played in the match, were 0.40 ± 0.24 L and 0.78 ± 0.46 L (n = 9). Prematch urine osmolality was 678 ± 344 mOsm/kg: 11 of the 31 players provided samples with an osmolality of more than 900 mOsm/kg. Sweat sodium concentration was 62 ± 13 mmol/L, and total sweat sodium loss during the game was 2.4 ± 0.8 g. These descriptive data show a large individual variability in hydration status, sweat losses, and drinking behaviors in a competitive football match played in a cool environment, highlighting the need for individualized assessment of hydration status to optimize fluid-replacement strategies.

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