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Body mapping of sweating patterns in male athletes in mild exercise-induced hyperthermia
journal contribution
posted on 2012-01-19, 15:14 authored by Caroline J. Smith, George HavenithGeorge HavenithRegional variation in sweating over the body is widely recognised. However, most
studies only measured a limited number of regions, with the use of differing thermal
states across studies making a good meta-analysis to obtain a whole body map
problematic. A study was therefore conducted to investigate regional sweat rates
(RSR) and distributions over the whole body in male athletes. A modified absorbent
technique was used to collect sweat at two exercise intensities (55% (I1) and 75% (I2)
V O2 max) in moderately warm conditions (25°C, 50% rh, 2 m.s-1 air velocity). At I1
and I2, highest sweat rates were observed on the central (upper and mid) and lower
back, with values as high as 1197, 1148, and 856 g.m-2.h-1 respectively at I2. Lowest
values were observed on the fingers, thumbs, and palms, with values of 144, 254, and
119 g.m-2.h-1 respectively at I2. Sweat mapping of the head demonstrated high sweat
rates on the forehead (1710 g.m-2.h-1 at I2) compared to low values on the chin (302
g.m-2.h-1 at I2) and cheeks (279 g.m-2.h-1 at I2). Sweat rate increased significantly in
all regions from the low to high exercise intensity, with exception to the feet and
ankles. No significant correlation was present between RSR and regional skin
temperature (Tsk), nor did RSR correspond to known patterns of regional sweat gland
density. The present study has provided detailed regional sweat data over the whole
body and has demonstrated large intra- and inter-segmental variation and the presence
of consistent patterns of regional high versus low sweat rate areas in Caucasians male
athletes. This data may have important applications for clothing design,
thermophysiological modelling and thermal manikin design.
History
School
- Design
Citation
SMITH, C.J. and HAVENITH, G., 2011. Body mapping of sweating patterns in male athletes in mild exercise-induced hyperthermia. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 111 (7), pp. 1391 - 1404Publisher
© Springer VerlagVersion
- AM (Accepted Manuscript)
Publication date
2011Notes
The final publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-1744-8ISSN
1439-6319Publisher version
Language
- en