Excretion of Ni, Pb, Cu, As, and Hg in Sweat under Two Sweating Conditions.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Small comparative physiological study with within-subject comparison; randomization of condition order not stated in abstract.
PubMed 35410004 · doi:10.3390/ijerph19074323
What was done
Twelve healthy young university students (6 men, 6 women) were tested under two sweating conditions: running on a treadmill (dynamic exercise) and sitting in a sauna cabinet (passive heat exposure). Following 20 minutes of continuous sweating, at least 7 mL of sweat was collected from each participant and analyzed for concentrations of nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg).
What was found
Concentrations of Ni, Pb, Cu, and As in sweat were significantly higher during treadmill running than during passive sauna exposure (all p < 0.05). Mercury (Hg) concentrations did not differ between the two sweating conditions. Absolute numerical concentrations and effect sizes were not reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
These findings suggest that exercise-induced sweating may facilitate greater concentration-based excretion of certain heavy metals than passive thermal sweating.
Limits
The study had a very small sample size (n = 12) restricted to healthy young university students. The abstract does not provide exact concentration values, total volume of sweat lost, total metal mass eliminated, or baseline body burdens of heavy metals. Randomization and counterbalancing of the sweating conditions were not detailed.
Cited by
- supports Mercury is excreted prominently through sweat.