Sweat rate and sodium loss during work in the heat

Significant and poorly documented electrolyte losses result from prolonged sweating. This study aimed to quantify likely sodium losses during work in heat. Male subjects exercised in an environmental chamber on two consecutive days in both winter and summer. Sweat collecting devices were attached to...

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Main Authors: Bates, Graham, Miller, Veronica
Format: Journal Article
Published: Biomed Central 2008
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/24578
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author Bates, Graham
Miller, Veronica
author_facet Bates, Graham
Miller, Veronica
author_sort Bates, Graham
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Significant and poorly documented electrolyte losses result from prolonged sweating. This study aimed to quantify likely sodium losses during work in heat. Male subjects exercised in an environmental chamber on two consecutive days in both winter and summer. Sweat collecting devices were attached to the upper arms and legs. Sweat rates were higher and sodium concentrations were lower in the summer (acclimatised) than the winter (unacclimatised) trials. Sweat sodium concentration was reduced on the second day in summer but not winter. Regional differences were found in both seasons. The difference between days in summer probably reflects short-term acclimation. The difference between seasons reflects acclimatisation. The data predict average sodium (Na) losses over a work shift of 4.8-6 g, equivalent to 10-15 g salt (NaCl). Losses are potentially greater in unacclimatised individuals. Fluid and electrolyte losses resulting from prolonged sweating must be replaced to prevent imbalance in body fluids, however guidelines for this replacement are often conflicting. This study provides important information for occupational health practitioners by quantifying the likely sodium losses over a work shift and providing recommendations for replacement.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-245782017-09-13T15:51:05Z Sweat rate and sodium loss during work in the heat Bates, Graham Miller, Veronica Electrolyte Nutritional epidemiology Fluids Significant and poorly documented electrolyte losses result from prolonged sweating. This study aimed to quantify likely sodium losses during work in heat. Male subjects exercised in an environmental chamber on two consecutive days in both winter and summer. Sweat collecting devices were attached to the upper arms and legs. Sweat rates were higher and sodium concentrations were lower in the summer (acclimatised) than the winter (unacclimatised) trials. Sweat sodium concentration was reduced on the second day in summer but not winter. Regional differences were found in both seasons. The difference between days in summer probably reflects short-term acclimation. The difference between seasons reflects acclimatisation. The data predict average sodium (Na) losses over a work shift of 4.8-6 g, equivalent to 10-15 g salt (NaCl). Losses are potentially greater in unacclimatised individuals. Fluid and electrolyte losses resulting from prolonged sweating must be replaced to prevent imbalance in body fluids, however guidelines for this replacement are often conflicting. This study provides important information for occupational health practitioners by quantifying the likely sodium losses over a work shift and providing recommendations for replacement. 2008 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/24578 10.1186/1745-6673-3-4 Biomed Central fulltext
spellingShingle Electrolyte
Nutritional epidemiology
Fluids
Bates, Graham
Miller, Veronica
Sweat rate and sodium loss during work in the heat
title Sweat rate and sodium loss during work in the heat
title_full Sweat rate and sodium loss during work in the heat
title_fullStr Sweat rate and sodium loss during work in the heat
title_full_unstemmed Sweat rate and sodium loss during work in the heat
title_short Sweat rate and sodium loss during work in the heat
title_sort sweat rate and sodium loss during work in the heat
topic Electrolyte
Nutritional epidemiology
Fluids
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/24578