A groundbreaking study conducted at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas sheds light on the physiological responses to the application of Sweet Sweat.® topical gel during exercise and heat exposure in world-class combat sports athletes. Focused on evaluating the effectiveness of Sweet Sweat in inducing heavy sweating and promoting significant weight loss in professional MMA athletes, the research provided valuable insights into the effectiveness of Sweet Sweat in two key scenarios.
During a series of 40-minute submaximal exercise sessions, athletes using Sweet Sweat experienced a notable increase in sweat loss (-1.3%) compared to those without Sweet Sweat (-1 .1%). This difference, which translates to an average loss of 210g of body weight, has significant implications within weight classes for MMA athletes. Fighters, who often engage in weight loss activities, can benefit from Sweet Sweat as an effective tool to promote acute sweat loss and subsequent reduction in body mass. Notably, the study revealed no observed negative impact on other physiological parameters.
The study included a group of professional MMA athletes, both male and female, who routinely undertake weight loss activities in preparation for competition, including the popular and current bantamweight champion of the UFC, Sean O’Malley. Participants completed a series of independent visits to the UFC Performance Institute to participate in the study. Interventions included submaximal exercises and passive heat exposure in a dry sauna, with and without application of Sweet Sweat.
The study used an extensive methodology in which participants kept a 24-hour food diary and were provided with standardized meals before the trial. Training logs, body mass, and resting measures of heart rate variability (HRV), saliva osmolality, and temperature were recorded. Exercise interventions included 40 minutes of cycling with constant power and heat stress that involved two 20-minute intervals in a dry sauna. Sweet Sweat application uses 0.5g per kg of body weight on visible areas of skin. Post-intervention assessments occurred within three minutes of Sweet Sweat removal.
Results after 40 minutes of submaximal exercise revealed that application of Sweet Sweat induced significantly greater sweat loss than the control group.. This increase was associated with elevated thermogenic responses, higher changes in skin and core temperature, none of which had adverse effects on cardiac and autonomic nervous system function or saliva osmolality. On average, application of Sweet Sweat resulted in 210 g of additional sweat loss, 2% higher skin temperature, and 0.7% higher core temperature.
These results are consistent with Sports Research’s own studies, demonstrating that Sweet Sweat effectively increases sweating and body temperature during exercise. The UFC study measured higher skin and core temperatures with Sweet Sweat, confirming its physiological importance. Core body temperature in the Sweet Sweat group was 0.68% higher, representing a “large” effect. This indicates a notable impact of Sweet Sweat on the elevation of body temperature during exercise and suggests that the use of Sweet Sweat has a substantial and significant influence on how the body responds to physical activity.
Additionally, additional physiological measures, including saliva osmolality and HRV, showed no significant differences between groups. Although both groups showed an increase in salivary osmolality and a decrease in HRV, indicating physiological changes during exercise, the differences were not statistically significant, suggesting that Sweet Sweat did not have any effect. negative impact on these parameters.
“This study validates 44 years of Sports Research analysis, affirming the consistent benefits of Sweet Sweat for elite and everyday athletes,” said Jeff Pedersen, CEO and president of Sports Research. “Our global observational studies consistently demonstrate that Sweet Sweat accelerates, elevates, and prolongs the sweating process, improving motivation and workout effectiveness. The science of the product, often known intuitively, is crucial to fitness enthusiasts due to its ability to promote circulation and help prevent injuries during workouts. “
Combat sports athletes, particularly those in MMA, frequently employ various strategies to manage their weight, using both chronic and acute approaches to competing in weight classes below their usual body weight. Chronic strategies generally involve targeted reductions in body fat and muscle mass. In contrast, acute methods often include practices such as dehydration tactics. Although these weight reduction practices are widespread, the associated risks and negative effects on athletic performance are well documented. However, the present study found no differences in physiological disturbances compared to the control group during a 40-minute exercise intervention.
“When it comes to losing weight, the goal is to extract water from the body, raising the temperature through continuous sweating, hard work and training. Sweet Sweat is the secret weapon of fighters during this critical phase, the go-to tool when losing water weight becomes crucial,” said UFC lightweight Jalin Turner. “During a difficult 9-day, 20+ pound weight cut, each of my sessions involved the application of Sweet Sweat to give me the extra edge I knew I would need. With determination, we overcame adversity and I managed to gain weight.Sweet Sweat has always been my tried, faithful and trusted companion, whether it is regular training or weight loss.
In 2021, the UFC and Sweet Sweat announced a long-term partnership that included making Sweet Sweat products available to UFC athletes through the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas. This collaboration was driven by the recognition of Sweet Sweat as a crucial element in the acute weight loss process of UFC athletes. The beginning of the study dates back to the initial negotiations of this partnership when Sports Research conducted its unique live product demonstration, showcasing the effects of Sweet Sweat while jumping rope in front of a thermal camera. This intrigued the UFC Performance Institute team and sparked scientific curiosity around what UFC athletes have often referred to as: “the phenomenon” experienced when using Sweet Sweat, namely accelerated and elevated sweating and circulatory response. The crucial pre-study demonstration not only gained credibility, but also launched an in-depth study, reinforcing the universal effectiveness of Sweet Sweat. The UFC announced it will conduct this study as an extension of the partnership using its elite athletes with research led by Dr. Duncan French, Senior Vice President of the UFC Performance Institute. THE an extensive research program aimed at uncovering the overall benefits of Sweet Sweat products during athlete training, fight camps and preparation stages.
The dedication to Sweet Sweat products within the UFC community is evident through individuals like Forrest Griffin, UFC Vice President of Athlete Development, who customizes each athlete’s fit with Sweet Sweat to enhance performance and prolong careers. UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier was also recently mentioned in The Joe Rogan Experience that he used Sweet Sweat during a weight loss while he was an active fighter. Other well-known UFC athletes who have used Sweet Sweat include former strawweight champion Jessica Andrade, former two-time flyweight champion Brandon Moreno, and contenders such as Brian Ortega, Raul Rosas Jr., Tatiana Suarez and Natan Levy. Despite Sweet Sweat’s popularity among the sports and fitness communities, its scientific effectiveness has not yet been thoroughly studied.
These results advance the scientific understanding of Sweet Sweat and highlight its potential benefits for athletes involved in combat sports and weight loss activities. The demonstrated effectiveness in promoting acute sweat loss without adverse effects on key physiological parameters positions Sweet Sweat as a valuable tool in the arsenal of professional athletes. Looking ahead, Sweet Sweat and the UFC are committed to continued research, expanding the scope to explore the product’s effects on diverse athlete populations. Factors such as different athletic and training backgrounds will be considered, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of the potential benefits and limitations of Sweet Sweat. This ongoing research demonstrates a continued commitment to excellence in sports science and athlete well-being.
“The health and well-being of our athletes is a priority for the UFC Performance Institute,” said Dr. French. “Making weight” is a fundamental part of MMA, and athletes adopt a multitude of different methods and tactics that have varying impacts on human physiology. degrees. In order to support our athletes to the best of our ability and mitigate risks as much as possible, we place great emphasis on validating methodologies to ensure they are effective and useful. In our study to understand the benefits of Sweet Sweat for athletes undergoing short-term acute dehydration strategies during weight gain, we were excited to understand that Sweet Sweat promoted faster sweat loss, thereby shortening the time athletes must spend dehydrating. More importantly, we found that these responses occurred without unfavorably elevated physiological responses beyond those experienced without the addition of Sweet Sweat.
For more information, visit sportsresearch.com and sweetsweat.com.