EFFECTS OF AGING AND PHYSICAL-TRAINING ON THE PERIPHERAL SWEAT PRODUCTION OF THE HUMAN ECCRINE SWEAT GLAND

Epidemiological studies suggest that thermoregulatory function declines with ageing. Therefore, it was the purpose of this study to examine the effects of physical training and ageing on the peripheral sweat rate of the human sweat gland. Maximum oxygen uptake and peripheral sweat rate (pilocarpine iontophoresis) were determined in 40 male volunteers (10 sedentary younger men, 10 endurance-trained younger men, 10 sedentary older men, and 10 endurance-trained older men). Maximum oxygen uptake and peripheral sweat rate were significantly (p < 0.05) greater in the two endurance-trained groups compared to their sedentary counterparts. Furthermore, when matched for maximum oxygen uptake, younger and older men had similar mean peripheral sweat rate values. These results suggest that participation in lifelong aerobic exercise may retard the decrease in peripheral sweat production usually associated with ageing. Further work is needed, however, to determine if such changes can improve overall thermoregulatory function in elderly people.