Blood and sweat take training app to the next level

Stockholm 2 June 2018. It was the day of the annual marathon in 28-degree heat. 1,000 people, or five percent of the entrants, were forced to quit the run. 

One of the biggest problems when it is so hot outdoors is to stay hydrated. This is where the new technology developed by Crespo and other KTH researchers comes into the picture.

“One of the areas where the technology will be useful is in monitoring your body fluid balance - in the form of electrolyte balance - so you don’t become dehydrated. By keeping check on the sweat the human body secretes, users can be warned about becoming dehydrated in good time before problems arise, so they can either stop exercising or drink to rehydrate their body. The technology is designed to enable users to adapt their exercise to their individual circumstances and preferences,” says Crespo, an Associate Professor in the Division of Applied Physical Chemistry at KTH.

Microneedles and body fluids

The technology takes measurements of blood and sweat with portable electrochemical sensors which can be woven into clothing or worn separately in direct contact with the skin, using an armband for example. The sensors are fitted in a patch that is attached to the skin, or as microneedles, depending on the type of app.

“Both technology platforms can be used in medical contexts at home or during athletic activity. They could also be tools in hospitals and clinics.”

Crespo says the sensors are able to detect a range of problems. Such as dehydration as already noted, plus electrolyte balance and kidney problems.

“Kidney problems in particular are associated with the secretion of potassium ions for example and creatinine level in blood, which the technology can identify.”

Measures lactic acid

When it comes to exercise and sport, it’s not just fluid balance that can be measured. During intense physical exertion, lactic acid can build up in your bloodstream faster than you can burn it off and this is something the sensors can continuously monitor during the course of training.

“The sensors can also measure how stressed a person is, and their attentiveness.”

Could the technology and sensors be used with apps and watches such as Run Keeper and Fitbit? According to Crespo, this would be possible if the watch and app is able to import the type of data generated by the sensors and display this in a usable way. If so, training could be taken to the next level.

Peter Ardell

For more information, please contact Gaston Crespo at gacp@kth.se or tel +46 (0)8 790 81 22.

More about the project

• Along with Gaston Crespo, the KTH research team included Marc Parrilla, Rocio Canovas, Maria Cuartero and Lijun Chai. 
• The research has resulted in a number of scientific publications such as in Trends in Analytical Chemistry and American Chemical Society publication Analytical Chemistry. A new article is being evaluated.
• The sensors pick up biomolecules such as sodium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, ammonium, glucose, uric acid and amino acids such as glycine. These biomolecules help users keep a check on their liver and heart health, metabolism and diabetes, to name just a few.
• In addition the technology being embedded in armbands and clothing that can measure physical parameters, the researchers also expect next generation sensors to be able to collect and display biochemical values recorded in human sweat. Something that would genuinely increase understanding of the physical status of the human body.