A new high-tech patch with integrated sensors has been developed to monitor the water and electrolyte balance in real-time during sports activities. The patch is expected to help athletes optimize their fluid intake during competitions. Lindsay Baker and her team from the Gatorade Sports Science Institute in Barrington have introduced a prototype patch with an integrated sweat sensor that can monitor the salt concentration and amount of sweat in real-time, determining the fluid needs of athletes. The patch contains two microchannels, one with a dye that changes color depending on the amount of sweat, and the other with a hydrogel that reacts chemically to sweat, changing color based on the salt concentration. The color changes in the microchannels can be monitored in real-time using a smartphone camera, and an accompanying app can automatically determine the water and electrolyte needs of athletes based on the colors.
To test the new sweat sensor, the team conducted an experiment with 312 participants in various sports, including running, cycling, and tennis. Some participants wore pads that absorbed sweat during their activities, and the sweat was later analyzed in the lab. The results showed that both methods of measuring sweat were almost identical, and the salt concentration could be determined with almost the same precision. The experiments demonstrated that the new sensor can provide useful results during training, and further development is expected to improve the measurement of salt concentration. The patch could be used by professional athletes during training and competitions to monitor their sweating behavior and plan their fluid intake more accurately. The researchers also see potential for the patch in endurance sports such as cycling and marathon running, where fluid balance is critical.
In conclusion, the new high-tech patch with integrated sensors is a promising development in sports science that could help athletes optimize their fluid intake during competitions. The patch’s ability to monitor the salt concentration and amount of sweat in real-time is a significant advantage, and the accompanying app can automatically determine the water and electrolyte needs of athletes. The patch could be used by professional athletes during training and competitions to monitor their sweating behavior and plan their fluid intake more accurately. The researchers also see potential for the patch in endurance sports such as cycling and marathon running, where fluid balance is critical.
