Sweat Testing
One of a few sweat testing centers in the country!
Why is sodium loss crucial to my performance?
Sodium is the key electrolyte you lose in your sweat and it’s crucial to your hydration status.
Sodium helps you absorb and retain fluid, which keeps your blood volume up, reducing cardiovascular strain, fatigue, and it can also help you avoid cramping. Drinking plain water when sweating over long periods dilutes your sodium levels, which will negatively impact your performance.
Everyone loses a different amount of sodium in their sweat, from as little as 200mg of sodium per litre, to as much as 2,000mg/L. Each person’s sweat composition is relatively fixed over their lifetime genetically, meaning that one test is usually sufficient for most individuals
Personalized hydration planning is not just for extreme endurance athletes. Whether a runner, triathlete, soccer player or a fitness enthusiast, a personalized hydration plan is an important part of optimal performance.
Sweat Composition Testing
What is Sweat Testing?
Sweat Composition Testing is the processes of identifying how much sodium an individual loses in sweat per liter volume. Using technology that was originally developed for use in the diagnosis of certain inherited diseases in children, we can now measure the key variable (sodium concentration lost in sweat) that determines each individual’s specific electrolyte needs. With this information, we can devise a strategy oriented around rehydration as it relates to one’s personal goals (Training, Performance, Recovery, etc).
If you train or race in hot, humid conditions for longer than 60-minutes, consider this test a must-do. Heat and humidity increase your fluid needs and risk of dehydration leading to reduced blood flow to your working muscles, increased heart rate, and inability to train at high intensity. Knowing your body’s response and individual needs is a critical component to your race training.
How is it performed?
No exercise, No needles! The Precision Hydration Advanced Sweat Test is simple, painless, and extremely accurate and all you have to do is sit comfortably while we talk to you about how you train and compete for 45 minutes. This video showcases the whole process, start to finish, and highlights key processes like sweat gland stimulation, sweat collection, and sodium concentration analysis.
What’s Next?
Following the test we will offer a personalized hydration plan. We include an excel spreadsheet with your sodium concentration loss (per Liter), information that can help you dose the appropriate amount of sodium per various bottle sizes (16oz hand flask -> 24oz cycling bottle), and track your sweat loss in various weather conditions to give you a good idea of what and how much you need to be consuming in various events.
Group Testing
We offer group-based remote sweat testing for your club and team. Whether a triathlon club, soccer or football team or a collection of fitness enthusiasts, email us for team programming
Addison Albin
Co-owner
Addison’s sporting journey began post-university, first with cycling (road racing) and sprint duathlons before settling on a focused distance road racing, namely half and full marathons for 10 years. During this time, Addison achieved 1:11 and 2:28 half and full marathon times respectively among competing in over 140 races over that period. After years of running injuries, Addison turned his efforts to cycling in 2021 – specifically endurance gravel racing. Always interested in training and nutrition methodology, it was the longer endurance racing on the bike which drove his interest in fueling and hydration science.
Megan Albin
co-owner
Megan started leisurely jogging in college, ran her first half marathon after college, then bought her first (of many) bikes when she met Addison. It took Megan a decade to start hitting her groove and her fitness went on an upward trajectory after learning she is Celiac and made required diet changes. She’s most proud of qualifying for and running the Boston Marathon, competing in two Ironman 70.3 World Championships, a sub 5-hour Ironman 70.3, completing her first Ironman and ‘mostly’ getting past her fear of off-road cycling, all in the last 4 years. She’s eager to explore more types of endurance racing in the years to come and can be found hunting Strava QOM’s all over the northland.
