Half of cyclists report sweat-related performance disruptions, and 77 percent of athletes are actively annoyed by sweat during exercise. That's according to a recent comprehensive study conducted by the University of Oregon's Warsaw Sports Business Center.

The study surveyed cycling and running athletes and found consistent attitudes regarding the detrimental effects of sweat on the eyes and eyewear. For instance, half of cyclists in the study reported experiencing dangerous situations due to sweat entering their eyes during rides. The study's findings demonstrate, in particular, that sweat management is far more than a comfort issue—it's a critical safety and performance concern, especially for endurance athletes like those competing in the Tour de France.

University of Oregon graduate student Ariyahna Bernard, MBA ’25, led the study, surveying 405 endurance athletes across 47 states to examine how sweat impacts athletic performance and safety. Among the interesting insights from that study:

• 56 percent of athletes must wipe sweat from their eyes as often as every 10 minutes during activity.
• 50.8 percent of cyclists reported sweat-related interruptions during rides that forced them to slow down or stop.
• 45.2 percent of runners experienced similar performance disruptions.
• 77 percent of all respondents stated they are actively annoyed by sweat during performance.
• 90 percent of participants reported moderate to heavy sweating during exercise.

Athletes also reported impaired vision from stinging or blurred eyes, loss of concentration resulting in near misses or crashes, and actual injuries, including falls and accidents, due to obstructed vision.

"Athletes are experiencing temporary blindness mid-activity, crashes, and serious safety hazards," said Bernard. "The fact that half of cyclists, who often wear helmets and other protective gear, still face these sweat-related dangers shows the issue is real and there's a significant gap in current solutions."

The research found that cyclists were slightly more likely than runners to report sweat-related performance issues. This suggests that existing gear may not adequately address forehead sweat or eye irritation.

Age demographics revealed additional interesting patterns, with younger runners aged 15-24 most affected by sweat disruption at 53.3 percent, while cyclists aged 35-54 and those 65 and older showed the highest disruption rates, at over 53 percent.

Athletes begin using sweat management tools at an average temperature of 67.5°F, and 43 percent continue training outdoors during off-seasons, indicating that sweat management is a year-round concern, rather than just a summer issue.

The study also found a strong interest among athletes in innovations to help manage issues related to sweating, with 64.8 percent of cyclists and 57 percent of runners reporting that they would be somewhat or extremely likely to try a product designed to prevent sweat from entering their eyes.

Bernard stated that the study gathered both quantitative data and qualitative accounts from recreational and competitive athletes to provide insight into the behavioral patterns, preferences, and unmet needs of the endurance sports community. The study was completed at the suggestion of Veo Strip, a start-up exploring the market for new sweat management products. Veo Strip did not provide funding or other financial support for the study.

The complete study results are available for download.

—Lundquist College Communications