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01-05-2020 | Original Article

Permanent tattooing has no impact on local sweat rate, sweat sodium concentration and skin temperature or prediction of whole-body sweat sodium concentration during moderate-intensity cycling in a warm environment

Authors: Jeff Beliveau, Maxime Perreault-Briere, David Jeker, Thomas A. Deshayes, Ana Durán-Suárez, Lindsay B. Baker, Eric D. B. Goulet

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 5/2020

Abstract

Purposes

This study investigated the impact of permanently tattooed skin on local sweat rate, sweat sodium concentration and skin temperature and determined whether tattoos alter the relationship between local and whole-body sweat sodium concentration.

Methods

Thirteen tattooed men (27 ± 6 years) completed a 1 h (66 ± 4% of \(\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{{2{\text{peak}}}}\)) cycling trial at 32 °C, 35% relative humidity. Sweat rate and sweat sodium concentration were measured using the whole-body washdown and local absorbent patch techniques. Patches and skin-temperature probes were applied over the right/left thighs and tattooed/non-tattooed (contralateral) regions.

Results

Local sweat rates did not differ (p > 0.05) between the right (1.11 ± 0.38) and left (1.21 ± 0.37) thighs and the permanently tattooed (1.93 ± 0.82) and non-tattooed (1.72 ± 0.81 mg cm⁻² min⁻¹) regions. There were no differences in local sweat sodium concentration between the right (58.2 ± 19.4) and left (55.4 ± 20.3) thighs and the permanently tattooed (73.0 ± 22.9) and non-tattooed (70.2 ± 18.9 mmol L⁻¹) regions. Difference in local skin temperature between the right and left thighs (− 0.043) was similar to that between the permanently tattooed and non-tattooed (− 0.023 °C) regions. Prediction of whole-body sweat sodium concentration for the permanently tattooed (41.0 ± 6.7) and the non-tattooed (40.2 ± 5.3 mmol L⁻¹) regions did not differ.

Conclusion

Permanent tattoos do not alter local sweat rate, sweat sodium concentration or local skin temperature during moderate-intensity cycling exercise in a warm environment. Results from a patch placed over a tattooed surface correctly predicts whole-body sweat sodium concentration from an equation developed from a non-tattooed region.

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Title: Permanent tattooing has no impact on local sweat rate, sweat sodium concentration and skin temperature or prediction of whole-body sweat sodium concentration during moderate-intensity cycling in a warm environment
Authors: Jeff Beliveau
Maxime Perreault-Briere
David Jeker
Thomas A. Deshayes
Ana Durán-Suárez
Lindsay B. Baker
Eric D. B. Goulet
Publication date: 01-05-2020
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 5/2020
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-020-04350-4

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Permanent tattooing has no impact on local sweat rate, sweat sodium concentration and skin temperature or prediction of whole-body sweat sodium concentration during moderate-intensity cycling in a warm environment

Abstract

Purposes

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purposes

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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