Water exercises are widely used in weight-loss programs, especially for those who struggle with joint and balance problems; however, the temperature of the water could defeat the intended purpose altogether.

A study found that exercise in cold water, instead of warm, could increase an individual's appetite, making it harder for them to drop those extra, unwanted pounds. Why? According to researchers, people consume more calories after exercising in cold water.

Temperature Tests

Researchers compared the energy exhausted by 11 students, ages 21-31, who rode a stationary bike in warm-water (91 degrees Fahrenheit) and cold-water (68 degrees Fahrenheit) pools for 45 minutes. The amount of calories students expended in both water temperatures was virtually the same.

After a rest period, students were brought into a room to have their blood pressure and heart rates measured. They were asked to remain in that same room--where they had free access to a standard assortment of food--for an hour. Researchers found:

• Significantly more calories were eaten after exercise in cold water, compared to exercise in warm water or at rest.

• Caloric intake after exercise in cold water was 44 percent higher than after exercise in warm water and 41 percent higher than after periods of rest.

• Students consumed a mean of 877 calories after exercise in cold water, 608 after exercise in warm water and 618 after resting.

The practical implication based on the findings: Cold water temperature could impair weight loss by increasing your caloric intake after the exercise.

International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism February 2005

Medical News Today May 4, 2005

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

Exercise is one of the cornerstones of the Total Health Program, and swimming is one of the best kinds of physical activity. However, I strongly believe that the best place to swim is where many of our ancestors swam, in the ocean. The salt water actually serves to kill many of the parasites that live on your skin and in your nasal passages and eyes and takes a major stress off your immune system. Additionally, we tend to absorb many of the valuable minerals from the water. Unfortunately, most of us aren't fortunate enough to be able to swim in the ocean every day. Most people are forced to use chlorinated swimming pools. The chlorine in most pools is rapidly absorbed through your skin and can contribute to some major disruptions in your biochemistry. Most people don't understand that you can absorb more chlorine after one hour in a pool than you will from a week of drinking unfiltered municipal tap water. Fortunately, there are a growing number of alternatives to chlorinated pools surfacing these days. Pools treated with ozone or Baquacil--oxidative therapies that kill microorganisms in a manner similar to chlorine--are excellent options that are readily available for home pools. They are also becoming more prevalent in public pools, especially in larger cities. Finally, understand that you should not avoid cold water exposure completely. While doing regular exercise in cold water may not be advisable, naturopathic hydrotherapy, which typically involves short applications of cold, as well as hot, water to various parts of the body, is a powerfully therapeutic tool with many applications for a wide variety of ailments. Related Articles: Chlorine in Swimming Pools Poses Risk of Spontaneous Abortions Most Commercial Weight-Loss Programs Are a Flop Want to Lose Weight? Then Exercise 60-90 Minutes Everyday