A sweat monitor that can continuously check multiple biochemicals in sweat has been developed by scientists could offer great benefits to triathletes, particularly long-distance athletes competing in hot climates.<\/p>\n
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For in the future athletes could potentially be able to wear devices that would alert them to health problems such as fatigue, dehydration and dangerously high body temperatures.\u00a0<\/p>\n
>>>\u00a0Sweat testing for athletes: is it worth it?<\/p>\n
\u201cHuman sweat contains physiologically rich information, thus making it an attractive body fluid for non-invasive wearable sensors,\u201d said co-author Ali Javey, of University of California, Berkeley.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, sweat is complex and it is necessary to measure multiple targets to extract meaningful information about your state of health. In this regard, we have developed a fully integrated system that simultaneously and selectively measures multiple sweat analytes, and wirelessly transmits the processed data to a smartphone. Our work presents a technology platform for sweat-based health monitors.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0Javey and his team consulted exercise physiologist George Brooks, a UC Berkeley professor of integrative biology.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving a wearable sweat sensor is really incredible because the metabolites and electrolytes measured by the Javey device are vitally important for the health and well-being of an individual,\u201d said Brooks.<\/p>\n
The prototype developed by Javey and his research team packs five sensors onto a flexible circuit board. The sensors measure the metabolites glucose and lactate, the electrolytes sodium and potassium, and skin temperature.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe integrated system allows us to use the measured skin temperature to calibrate and adjust the readings of other sensors in real time,\u201d said Gao. \u201cThis is important because the response of glucose and lactate sensors can be greatly influenced by temperature.\u201d<\/p>\n
The researchers developed an app to sync the data from the sensors to mobile phones, and fitted the device onto \u201csmart\u201d wristbands and headbands.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can easily shrink this device by integrating all the circuit functionalities into a single chip,\u201d said co-author Sam Emaminejad.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u201cThe number of biochemicals we target can also be ramped up so we can measure a lot of things at once. That makes large-scale clinical studies possible, which will help us better understand athletic performance and physiological<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
You can get your sweat analysed at\u00a0the\u00a0National Triathlon Show (April 8-10)\u00a0with\u00a0Precision Hydration\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Related:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Key facts: hydration<\/strong><\/p>\n Heat training: What are benefits of using a heated-room for training?<\/strong> A sweat monitor that can continuously check multiple biochemicals in sweat has been developed by scientists could offer great benefits to triathletes, particularly long-distance athletes competing in hot climates. Advertisement For in the future athletes could potentially be able to wear devices that would alert them to health problems such as fatigue, dehydration and dangerously … <\/p>\n
\nMirinda Carfrae on coping with the heat in long-distance triathlons<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"