Increased Caloric Intake Soon after Exercise in Cold Water

Abstract

We examined the acute effect of cold-water temperature on post-exercise energy intake (EI) for 1 h. In a randomized, crossover design, 11 men (25.6 +/- 5 y) exercised for 45 min on a submersed cycle ergometer at 60 +/- 2% VO2max in 33 degrees C (neutral) and 20 degrees (cold) water temperatures, and also rested for 45 min (control). Energy expenditure (EE) was determined using indirect calorimetry before, during, and after each condition. Following exercise or rest, subjects had free access to a standard assortment of food items of known caloric value. EE was similar for the cold and neutral water conditions, averaging 505 +/- 22 (+/- standard deviation) and 517 +/- 42 kcal, respectively (P = NS). EI after the cold condition averaged 877 +/- 457 kcal, 44% and 41% higher (P < 0.05) than for the neutral and resting conditions, respectively. Cold-water temperature thus stimulated post-exercise EI. Water temperature warrants consideration in aquatic programs designed for weight loss.

Nutrition for Synchronized Swimming: A Review

“…White, Dressendorfer, Holland, McCoy, and Ferguson (2005) examined the effect of energy expenditure and voluntary postexercise energy intake in three conditions: a control condition with no water immersion, cool water (20 °C), or "neutral" water (33 °C). They found no differences in energy expenditure based on the different conditions, but the group immersed in the cool water consumed 44% and 41% more energy than the neutral and control conditions, respectively.…”

Leptin, adiponectin, and ghrelin responses to endurance exercise in different ambient conditions

“…15,16 However, exercise in a cold environment may stimulate appetite. 17 Adipose tissue plays an important role in the effect that different environmental temperatures have on appetite. 18 Adipose tissue can act as an endocrine organ, instead of solely as an energy storage depot.…”

Effect of ambient temperature during acute aerobic exercise on short-term appetite, energy intake, and plasma acylated ghrelin in recreationally active males

“…Cold temperatures may exert the opposite effect with an increase in energy 83 intake reported after exercise in cold water (White et al 2005). However, whether this is 84 directly related to the cold temperature per se is questionable because water immersion itself 85 increases energy intake (Halse et al 2011).…”