2007, Piran, Slovenia

Sweating
Figure 2 shows the skin temperature of nude, dry skin during the experiment. An increase in
skin temperature can be observed following the application of pads, followed by a decrease
once the pads had been removed. The increase in skin temperature following the second
sample period was smaller than that following the first sample period.
Skin Temp (ºC)
35
34
33
32
31
30
29
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Time (min)
DISCUSSION
Any method used in the collection of sweat will itself interfere with the sweat rate to some
degree. For absorbent use, two factors may cause opposing effects: an increase in skin
humidity may be expected during sampling periods using the absorbent method, acting to
lower the regional sweat rate due to hidromeiosis. Conversely, an increase in skin temperature
may occur, as observed in the results, serving to artificially increase the regional sweat rate.
These factors were minimised during testing due to pad application time not exceeding 10
minutes, although an increase in skin temperature, particularly for the first sample period, was
observed following sample periods.
Data showed large variation in individual sweat rates, however the patterns across regions
were quite consistent. All subjects were physically active, which implies there will be some
degree of acclimatisation with regards to their sweat rate. Sweat rates were observed to be
highest on the lower anterior and posterior arm, followed by the back of the hand. Regions
showing the lowest sweat rates were the anterior and posterior upper arm, followed by the
thumb, and finally the fingers and palm. The regions showing the highest sweat rates showed
median values of 643 g.m -2 .h -1 and 567 g.m -2 .h -1 for the anterior lower and posterior lower arm
respectively. The regions showing the lowest sweat rates provided values of 179 g.m -2 .h -1 for
finger 2 (middle finger) and 192 g.m -2 .h -1 for finger 4 (little finger). Sweat rates were slightly
lower in the second sampling period, however a decrease in heart rate was observed
indicating a reduction in the intensity of exercise. High sweat rates on the wrist bands, which
were worn with no other pads in place at that time, indicated there was a migration of sweat
down the arm, in addition to the sweat produced at the wrist itself. This finding has an
ant upp
ant lower
post upper
post lower
Figure 2. Skin temperature (°C) of the arms and hands during the 60 minute squash session.
palm
back
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