Explaining variation in sweat sodium concentration: effect of individual characteristics and exercise, environmental, and dietary factors
Lindsay B. Baker, Peter John D. De Chavez, Ryan P. Nuccio, Shyretha Brown, Michelle A. King, Bridget C. Sopeña, Kelly A. Barnes
Abstract
This comprehensive analysis of a large, diverse data set contributes to our overall understanding of the factors that influence whole body sweat [Na + ]. The main finding was that energy expenditure was directly associated with whole body sweat [Na + ], potentially via the relation between energy expenditure and whole body sweating rate (WBSR). Warmer months (proxy for heat acclimatization) were associated with lower whole body sweat [Na + ]. Exercise mode, air temperature, and sex may also have small effects, but other variables (age group, race/ethnicity, fluid balance, sodium intake, relative V̇o 2max ) had no association with whole body sweat [Na + ]. Taken together, the models explained 17%–23% of the variation in whole body sweat [Na + ].