Effect of Exercise Machines on Sweat Loss during Exercise

Abstract

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of different cardio machine exercise on the sweat loss. Twelve subjects (6 male and 6 female) in the age range 20 to 35 years were taken as subjects in the study. Subjects were asked to exercise for 30 minutes on each machine while maintaining the exercise intensity in between 65 % to 75 % of maximum heart rate. On each machine before and after exercise, weight of the subjects was measured in kg. During exercise the temperature and humidity of the room were maintained at 26 0 C and 54.3 % respectively. The data so obtained in the study was analyzed using the randomized block design where gender was the between factor and machine was the within factor. The analysis showed that the effect of exercise machine on sweat loss was significant whereas the effect of gender and interaction (gender × machine) was not significant. Significant sweat loss occurred on treadmill in comparison to bicycle ergometer and stepper. No difference was observed in the amount of sweat loss on bicycle ergometer and stepper. On the basis of the study it is concluded that the reduction of weight due to the sweat loss should not be seen as a reflection of amount of fat reduced from the body during exercise. The study suggested that the cycling and stepper should be preferred over treadmill running as the weight loss due to sweat production was significantly lower than the treadmill.