How Much Sweat and Salt Do Athletes Lose in Different Sports?
Normative data for sweating rate, sweat sodium concentration, and sweat sodium loss in athletes: An update and analysis by sport
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
American football players have the highest sweat and sodium losses, surpassing even endurance athletes.
It's commonly assumed that long-distance runners or cyclists in hot conditions sweat the most, but football players—due to intensity, gear, and environment—lose more fluid and salt per hour.
Practical Takeaways
Football and endurance athletes should consider tailored hydration plans that include higher sodium replacement during prolonged activity.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
American football players have the highest sweat and sodium losses, surpassing even endurance athletes.
It's commonly assumed that long-distance runners or cyclists in hot conditions sweat the most, but football players—due to intensity, gear, and environment—lose more fluid and salt per hour.
Practical Takeaways
Football and endurance athletes should consider tailored hydration plans that include higher sodium replacement during prolonged activity.
Publication
Journal
Journal of Sports Sciences
Year
2019
Authors
K. Barnes, Melissa L. Anderson, J. Stofan, K. J. Dalrymple, Adam J. Reimel, T. Roberts, Rebecca K. Randell, Corey T. Ungaro, Lindsay B. Baker
Related Content
Claims (4)
When athletes sweat a lot during tough workouts in the heat, they can lose a surprising amount of salt—up to more than a teaspoon of salt every hour.
Football players sweat more than athletes in other big sports, losing over a liter of fluid per hour, so they need to drink more to stay hydrated during games and practice.
Endurance athletes and football players lose more salt in their sweat than basketball, soccer, or baseball players, so they probably need to replace more electrolytes when they train hard.
Different sports lead to different sweat and salt loss patterns, and this stays true even when we account for other factors like fitness or body size.