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SWEAT TESTING

Sodium

Sodium is the key electrolyte you lose in your sweat and it’s crucial to your hydration status, performance and recovery.

In the Context of Exercise/Competition

Sodium’s key role involves:

• Accurate nerve transmission and muscle contraction
• Maintaining cognitive function
• Preserving blood plasma and blood volume
• Maintaining the gut’s ability to absorb carbohydrates effectively

Sweat Sodium Concentration

Individual sodium lost in sweat varies greatly among athletes, ranging from as little as 200mg per liter to as much as 2,000mg/L. This variation is largely genetically determined and relatively stable after infancy, and so in most cases you’ll only need one test in your life.

An at-rest Sweat Test can accurately measure your individual sodium loss, allowing you to dial in your hydration strategy.

In the Context of Hydration Strategies

Understanding your specific sodium needs enables you to:

• Prevent dehydration and overhydration
• Reduce the risk of hyponatremia and related GI distress
• Alleviate exercise-associated muscle cramping
• Maintain efficient body cooling mechanisms, reducing thermal and cardiovascular strain
• Enhance fluid retention and absorption while decreasing urine output
• Avoid performance decrements associated with electrolyte and fluid imbalances

By tailoring your hydration strategy to your unique sodium requirements, you can optimize your peak performance and endurance across training and competition.

SWEAT TESTING FOR TEAM SPORTS ATHLETES

WHY IT MATTERS

As temperatures rise and competition intensifies

team sports athletes face increasing challenges in maintaining peak performance in the heat. More training sessions and matches take place in warmer temperatures, and the importance of proper hydration cannot be overstated.

For athletes competing in back-to-back games or tournaments

in hot and humid environments, the heat strain on the body is magnified, potentially leading to significant performance decrements if not properly addressed.

Indoor team sports athletes

often face similar challenges, with high sweat rates at match intensity leading to substantial sweat and sodium losses. Nailing your hydration strategy is pivotal to maximizing performance in every match and day-to-day training session.

Dehydration as little as 2 % of body weight

can have a considerable decrease in performance. Knowing your individual sweat sodium concentration and implementing the correct fluid and electrolyte intake can make all the difference.