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Variations in regional sweat composition in normal human males

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 January 2001

Mark J. Patterson*
Affiliation:
Scottish School of Sport Studies, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G13 1PP andDepartment of Sport Studies, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
Stuart D. R. Galloway
Affiliation:
Scottish School of Sport Studies, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G13 1PP andDepartment of Sport Studies, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
Myra A. Nimmo
Affiliation:
Scottish School of Sport Studies, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G13 1PP andDepartment of Sport Studies, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
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Abstract

This project aimed to quantify the regional distribution of sweat composition over the skin surface and to determine whether sweat constituent concentrations collected from regional sites can estimate whole-body concentrations. Ten males cycled for 90 min in a 20°C (50 % relative humidity) environment at 45 % peak aerobic power. Sweat was collected from eleven skin regions and the whole body, using a wash-down technique. Strong relationships were evident between the regional and whole-body sweat [Na+] and [Cl-], such that the thigh and calf exhibited greater correlation coefficients than area-weighted means derived from four and eight skin regions. Therefore, in this particular protocol the whole-body sweat [Na+] and [Cl-] could be predicted from regional sweat collections. Relationships between sweat constituents were evident for sweat [Na+] and pH, and sweat [K+] and [lactate] when data were pooled between skin regions and subjects. To our knowledge this is the first investigation to report a positive relationship between sweat [K+] and [lactate]. The exact mechanism responsible for the positive relationship between sweat [K+] and [lactate] is uncertain although it is speculated to occur at the secretory coil.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© The Physiological Society 2000

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