Biosensor Tattoo Keeps Athletes from "Hitting the Wall"

Jul-28-13 A new biosensor tattoo could help keep athletes from energy crashes by monitoring their lactose build up in real time.

Sustained physical activity causes lactose to build up in the muscles, and can cause sudden fatigue if the levels reach too high. The temporary-transfer biosensor tattoo, created by a team from the University of California, measures the levels of lactose in the wearer’s sweat. This allows the athlete to ease up before lactose levels become so extreme that they “bonk out” and cannot continue.

In tests, the lactate sensor continuously and accurately measured lactate levels in ten volunteers. The team also believes, “Such skin-worn metabolite biosensors could lead to useful insights into physical performance and overall physiological status, hence offering considerable promise for diverse sport, military, and biomedical applications.”

More Info about this Invention:

[DISCOVERY.COM]
[AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY]

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