The maturation of regional sweating patterns from childhood to young adulthood in females
) in a climatic chamber (36°C and 50% relative humidity). Results indicated that LSR across the torso (chest, abdomen, back), but not the limbs (hand, thigh, shin), increased linearly with age, due to increases in sweat output per gland. The transition of regional sweating patterns from children-like (higher LSR at extremities) to adult-like (higher LSR at torso) became meaningful (2-fold difference) at Tanner stage 3 and age 14. Perceptions of temperature, wetness and thermal comfort did not differ across age-groups. Our findings provide the first detailed evaluation of regional sweating pattern maturation in females while exercising in the heat. This could inform person-centred public health and sportswear applications.
Authors
- Hannah Blount (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2419-1716)
- Nuno Koch Esteves (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0580-7642)
- Peter R. Worsley (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0145-5042)
- Davide Filingeri (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5652-395X)
- Grant H. Simmons
- Jade Ward (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2304-1342)
Institutions
- Nike (United States) (US)
- Tyndall Centre (GB)
- University of Southampton (GB)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Experimental Physiology
- Published
- 2026-04-11
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1113/ep093788
- Primary Topic
- Thermoregulation and physiological responses
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- NIKE
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council