2. How accurate are the lactate measurements of the CLM sensor?

The basis of the CLM sensor is that sweat is collected in the cartridge ONAS10

through micro-fluid-channels. Then the sweat is analyzed and a special algorithm calculates and predicts concentrations of for instance blood-lactate.
The ONASPORT CLM sensor technology is protected by more then 5 patents.

The question is: how accurate is this blood-lactate prediction using sweat?

This accuracy question can be summarized in the following 4 steps:

Step 1: (view study)  
This study describes what is needed to be able to measure sweat with the use of ‘Micro-fluidic Wearable Technology’ in such a way that measurements can be accurate.

Step 2: (view study)
This study discribes how every component of the CLM device has undergone rigorous testing, both in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion is that the trials can be considered a great success since real-time sweat analysis was performed.

Step 3: (view study)
This study (April 2023) demonstrated that the technology used in the ONASPORT CLM sensor was able to predict blood lactate values: “The sensor demonstrated accuracy close to current portable blood lactate meters, resulting in less than 0.3 mM of accumulated error.”

Step 4:
To evaluate the lactate accuracy, the CLM sensor has been compared to the blood lactate readings of portable lactate meters such as Lactate Pro or Lactate Plus during incremental effort tests. At regular intervals of 3 minutes measurements have been done. More then 100 athletes have participated in tests to optimize the accuracy. During a period of over 6 months the accuracy was improved step by step. In Q2 of 2024 there were around 150 measurements done, to determine the accuracy of the blood lactate value of the CLM sensor at that time. Trained athletes were monitored during cycling and running.

The conclusion? When compared to portable lactate meters on the market, which are usually used by athletes, the results obtained are totally comparable in accuracy.

The above outcome is described in a White Paper, which is not yet published. If you like to be informed about this White Paper, please get in touch with Tri-excellence.

The accuracy will be improved even further step by step by measuring more athletes periodically and improving the algorithm continuously. Organizations that are involved are for instance the C.A.R. (High Performance Centre in Barcelona). Also Elite triathletes and coaches help Tri-Excellence to gather more data and experiences in order to contribute to the further optimization. These elite triathletes and coaches also write reviews that are shared on our elite reviews page.