Question 1

Why should I get a sweat test?

Accepted Answer

Athletes have uniquely different sweat profiles that can vary over a hundred-fold. General hydration guidelines do not account for individual differences in fluid and electrolyte needs. A self-administered sweat test determines your specific requirements down to the milligram, so you can match your fluid and electrolytes to what you actually lose. Your sweat also changes depending on what you're doing, which is why we test on the bike and the run for triathletes. This allows us to fine tune your hydration recommendations.

Question 2

What are electrolytes, and how do they help me?

Accepted Answer

Electrolytes are salts that carry electrical charges essential for cell communication and muscle contractions via nerve impulses. Proper electrolyte balance maintains nervous, cardiac, digestive, and muscular function. Muscle cramping signals electrolyte depletion and decreased performance. Losses vary widely from one athlete to the next, which is why we measure yours.

Question 3

Are all electrolytes created equal?

Accepted Answer

No. Your body efficiently regulates potassium through muscle fiber breakdown during activity, so supplementation is not necessary and can be dangerous in high amounts (hyperkalemia). However, sodium Na+, chloride Cl- and Magnesium Mg2+ deplete quickly during exercise and require replenishment. LEVELEN focuses on these essential electrolytes in precise amounts for optimal hydration and performance.

Question 4

How much does sweat vary between athletes?

Accepted Answer

Sweat rate varies over 20-fold between athletes. The average is 1.4 liters per hour among endurance athletes, and 1.5 L/hr for all other athletes. Among the thousands of athletes we've tested, we've seen a range from around 0.2 L/hr to a maximum over 4.0 L/hr. Electrolyte loss varies even more dramatically, with over 100-fold differences documented between athletes. Research comparing football players and runners showed roughly 9 liters of daily loss versus 3 liters respectively.

Question 5

Does my sweat profile change? How often should I test?

Accepted Answer

Year-to-year results stay consistent if diet, weight, medications, and activity levels remain stable; annual retesting is recommended if any of those change. Seasonal variation also exists due to temperature and humidity acclimatization: cooler weather produces less sweat with higher electrolyte concentration, while warmer weather increases sweat volume with lower concentration. Multi-season athletes should test more than once a year.

Question 6

What do you test for?

Accepted Answer

The test measures sweat volume (sweat rate) and electrolyte concentrations. Analyzed electrolytes include Sodium (Na+), Potassium (K+), and Chloride (Cl-). Results determine your precise electrolyte losses down to the milligram, eliminating trial-and-error hydration.

Question 7

How do I perform a sweat test?

Accepted Answer

Clean your forearm with an alcohol swab and apply a sweat patch just before exercise. Weigh yourself before and after (minimal clothing), tracking any fluid consumed during the workout. Remove the saturated gauze (typically 30 to 45 minutes) using tweezers, place it in a vial, and mail it with your information card. Results arrive within 2 weeks via email with detailed recommendations.

Question 8

How long do I wear the sweat patch?

Accepted Answer

Wear the patch at least 30 minutes, preferably up to one hour, while continuously working out. The saturated gauze indicates collection is complete, typically between 30 and 45 minutes. Longer workouts may require early patch removal to prevent over-saturation.

Question 9

Why do I need to weigh myself?

Accepted Answer

The weight difference before and after your workout (minus fluid consumed) equals the total sweat volume lost. That calculation determines your sweat rate, which is essential for accurate fluid-replacement recommendations. Weigh with minimal clothing and wipe away sweat before the post-workout weigh-in. Ideally, the workout lasts about one hour, and at least 45 minutes.

Question 10

Why do I measure how much I drink?

Accepted Answer

Fluid consumed during the test affects your post-workout weight. To calculate an accurate sweat rate, LEVELEN accounts for your fluid intake. If possible, avoid drinking during testing for the most accurate reading, though hydration is allowed as long as the exact amount is recorded. Be careful not to over drink during your test.  If you don't lose at least 1% of your body weight during your workout, we may need to retest.

Question 11

How do I calculate my sweat rate?

Accepted Answer

Use this formula: ((Pre-Weight) minus (Post-Weight) plus (Fluids Consumed)) divided by (Duration of Workout). Example: ((73 kg) minus (72 kg) plus (0.5 liters)) divided by (1 hour) = 1.5 liters per hour. Keep a training log tracking pre-weight, duration, post-weight, fluids consumed, and conditions for sport-specific rates.

Question 12

What is a simulated sweat test, and how is LEVELEN's different?

Accepted Answer

Stimulated sweat tests originated as a way to test for cystic fibrosis. It uses an artificial stimulus to produce sweat. This sweat does not have the same sweat electrolyte composition as true thermal sweat produced during physical activity. Your thermal sweat composition also changes depending on what you're doing, so a test on the bike could differ from your run test. LEVELEN tests thermal sweating from the eccrine glands, which differs significantly from stimulated methods, and analyzes each electrolyte independently rather than estimating, providing accurate measurements for customized replenishment rather than general recommendations. Static sweat tests typically only measure for one electrolyte, and estimate the others.

Question 13

My blood test says I'm "normal", so why do I need a sweat test?

Accepted Answer

Blood tests measure resting electrolyte levels, which typically return to normal within an hour of exercise despite performance-affecting depletion. Sweat tests measure real-time losses during activity, revealing your specific replenishment needs. Normal blood sodium (135 to 145 mmol/L) does not tell you your actual losses during exertion.

Question 14

Where do I send my sweat test sample?

Accepted Answer

Mail your completed information card and sweat sample using the provided return mailer (and email us your test number and/or tracking number). If the mailer is lost, send it via USPS in a padded envelope to: HEAT Sport Sciences, Inc., Attn: Dr. Sandra Fowkes-Godek, P.O. Box 327, Pocopson, PA 19366-0327. Email testing@levelen.com for an address if you're using UPS or FedEx.

Question 15

How do I use LEVELEN with my Individual Sweat Profile?

Accepted Answer

After testing, you receive an Individual Sweat Profile and Dashboard showing your sweat rate, sodium concentration and loss, potassium concentration, and chloride loss. Multiply your workout duration by the recommended fluid intake (60 to 70 percent of your sweat rate) to determine total replacement needed. Spread consumption before (35 to 40 percent), during (35 to 40 percent), and after (20 to 30 percent) exercise based on your specific sport.

Question 16

What is in the LEVELEN formulation?

Accepted Answer

LEVELEN contains precisely calibrated electrolytes based on your individual sweat test results, featuring sodium, chloride, and magnesium, the key electrolytes your body cannot efficiently regulate. Dextrose facilitates absorption and minimizes gastrointestinal distress. The formula excludes potassium and contains only clean, anti-doping approved ingredients. It is gluten-free and vegan-friendly.

Question 17

Why doesn't LEVELEN have potassium?

Accepted Answer

Backed by over 20 years of research with professional and collegiate athletes and thousands of tested athletes, the body efficiently regulates the potassium naturally released during exercise. Potassium deficiency does not cause muscle cramping, and supplementation risks dangerous hyperkalemia (abnormally elevated blood potassium), which can be fatal. That is why LEVELEN leaves potassium out.

Question 18

Should I be concerned about consuming high amounts of salt?

Accepted Answer

The LEVELEN system is designed to replenish your specific losses, so excessive salt intake should not occur. The goal is individualized replacement rather than guessing. Knowing your exact electrolyte needs through sweat testing determines the appropriate supplementation level for you.

Question 19

Can I still eat salty food when using LEVELEN?

Accepted Answer

Generally, maintain your normal diet, but salt supplementation during meals may be needed for high, salty sweaters. Your recommend salt intake will be included in your results. Use LEVELEN immediately before and during training and competition for electrolyte replenishment, and otherwise follow normal healthy eating habits. Some athletes with extreme electrolyte loss may be advised to increase dietary salt combined with LEVELEN use, particularly before intense workouts.

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