Postexercise Water Immersion Increases Short-Term Food Intake in Trained Men
Abstract
PURPOSE: The performance of exercise while immersed in cold water has been shown to influence energy intake in the subsequent meal. In addition, cold water immersion (CWI) itself has been shown to reduce the concentration of the hormone leptin, high concentrations of which signal satiety. Taken together, these findings raise the question of whether the common practice of postexercise CWI by athletes acutely affects energy intake. Hence, this study investigated the acute effect of CWI after exercise on subsequent energy intake and macronutrient preferences as well as the circulating levels of a range of appetite-related hormones. METHODS: Ten physically active men participated in three randomized, counterbalanced trials consisting of 40 min of treadmill running (70% VO(2peak)), followed by 20 min of CWI (15°C), neutral water immersion (NWI; 33°C), or a resting control with no immersion (CON). Participants were then given a 30-min access to a buffet-type breakfast of precisely known quantity and nutrient composition from which they could consume ad libitum. RESULTS: Participants consumed significantly more energy after both CWI (mean ± SD = 4893 ± 1554 kJ, P = 0.006) and NWI (5167 ± 1975 kJ, P = 0.010) compared with CON (4089 ± 1585 kJ). However, there was no significant difference in total energy intake between the CWI and the NWI trials (P = 0.595). These changes were associated with a significant interaction effect of time and trial on both leptin (P = 0.045) and active ghrelin (P = 0.046). CONCLUSION: Postexercise water immersion is associated with higher energy intake in the subsequent meal compared with CON. This is an important consideration for trained men using water immersion as a method of recovery from exercise.
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In Halse et al. (2011), more calories were consumed after both cold-water immersion and neutral-water immersion compared to control, equivalent to an extra 803-1075 kJ.
“Although there was little difference in energy intake between cold versus neutral water immersion, more calories were consumed after both cold-water immersion (4893 ± 1554 kJ) and neutral-water immersion (5167 ± 1975 kJ) when compared to control (4089 ± 1585 kJ), equivalent to an extra 803-1075 kJ.”
From Influence of water-based exercise on energy intake, appetite, and appetite-related hormones in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis (2023) · cites this paper as Halse et al. (2011)
Simply being submerged in water may result in increased energy intake.
“as Halse et al. (2011) suggest simply being submerged in water may result in increased energy intake.”
From Influence of water-based exercise on energy intake, appetite, and appetite-related hormones in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis (2023) · cites this paper as Halse et al. (2011)
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- Authors
- HALSE, R. E., WALLMAN, K. E., & GUELFI, K. J.
- Affiliations
- The University of Western Australia (AU)
- Venue
- Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
- Published
- 2011-04
- Volume
- 43
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 632-638
- ISSN
- 0195-9131 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1963650225
- Semantic Scholar
- 21c2efd314ec7c57d68ffb9c945f97ae65075e8e
- Cited by
- 32
- References
- 38
- Citations by year
- 2025: 2 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 3 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 6
- FWCI
- 1.39
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- UWA Profiles and Research Repository (University of Western Australia) (submittedVersion)
- eSpace (Curtin University) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Exercise and Physiological Responses
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Thermoregulation and physiological responses
- Keywords
- cold water immersion, post-exercise recovery, energy intake, appetite-regulating hormones, leptin, ghrelin, macronutrient preference, treadmill running, trained men, satiety
- MeSH terms
- Energy Intake, Humans, Immersion, Male, Oxygen Consumption, Water, Exercise, Recovery of Function, Young Adult, Athletes
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