New wearable sensor to predict muscle fatigue

Washington: Scientists have developed a new wearable sensor that can detect lactate levels in your sweat and help predict problematic conditions such as muscle fatigue, stress and dehydration when you exercise. Human sweat can give insight to what is happening inside your body, researchers said. “When the human body undergoes strenuous exercise, there’s a point at which aerobic muscle function becomes anaerobic muscle function,” said Ms Jenny Ulyanova, from the US- based CFD Research Corporation ( CFDRC). “At that point, lactate is produced at a faster rate than it is being consumed. When that happens, knowing what those levels are can be an indicator of potentially problematic conditions like muscle fatigue, stress, and dehydration,” said Ms Ulyanova. The team of CFDRC researchers, in collaboration with the University of New Mexico, developed an enzymebased sensor powered by a biofuel cell — providing a safe, renewable power source.