Gender differences in the sweat response during spinning exercise.

The purpose of this field study was to examine gender differences in the sweat response reported in the literature in trained men and women during indoor cycling. In the present study, 14 men and 12 women took part in a 90-minute spinning class in preparation for a 108-km road race. Delta body mass, corrected for the volume of water consumed, was used to estimate sweat loss during the exercise period. Men had a significantly higher sweat rate (1.12 L.h(-1)) compared to women (0.57 L.h(-1)), despite the fact that there were no significant gender differences in ad libitum fluid intake. Future research should focus on determining whether women may be more efficient in sweat production and evaporation and whether men may have a greater reserve capacity for increased sweating.