Realtime Monitoring of Local Sweat Rate Kinetics during Constant-Load Exercise Using Perspiration-Meter with Airflow Compensation System

Abstract

Epidermal wearable sweat biomarker sensing technologies are likely affected by sweat rate because of the dilution effect and limited measurement methods. However, there is a dearth of reports on the local sweat rate (LSR) monitored in real-time during exercise. This explorative study investigated the feasibility of real-time LSR monitoring and clarified LSR kinetics on the forehead and upper arm during constant-load exercise using a perspiration meter with an airflow compensation system. This observational cross-sectional study included 18 recreationally trained males (mean age, 20.6 ± 0.8 years). LSR on the forehead and upper arm (mg/cm2/min) were measured during a constant-load exercise test at 25% of their pre-evaluated peak power until exhaustion. The LSR kinetics had two inflection points, with a gradual decrease in the incremental slope for each section. After the second flexion point, the LSR slope slightly decreased and was maintained until exhaustion. However, the degree of change varied among the participants. Although the ratio of forehead LSR to upper arm LSR tended to decrease gradually over time, there was little change in this ratio after a second flexion point of LSR in both. These findings suggest possible differences in LSR control between the forehead and upper arm during constant-load exercise to prolonged exhaustion.