Research Corner - Q&A Calories Burned in Heat vs. Cold by Annette Lang | Date Released : 28 Jun 2002 0 comments Print Close Question: Given the same intensity and time exercised, is there any difference in the amount of calories being burned if I were to run in cold weather or in humid conditions? Answer: Below please find two brief research results that correlate to your question: In ACSM's Guidelines for Exercising Testing and Prescription 6th edition, in the section about metabolic equations to calculate energy expenditure: it states: "...although the accuracy of these equations is unaffected by most environmental influences (heat and cold)..." Do I burn off more calories exercising in the cold? From: Appendix D; Metabolic Calculations: Estimation of Energy Expenditure. From an article by Nancy Clark, MS, RD: THE ATHLETE'S KITCHEN Copyright: Nancy Clark, MS, RD December, 1999 Cold weather itself does not increase calorie needs. (And remember, the weather can actually be tropical inside your ski outfit or running suit!). However, your body does use a considerable amount of energy to warm and humidify the air you breathe when you exercise in the cold. For example, if you were to burn 600 calories while cross-country skiing for an hour in zero degree weather, you may use an estimated 23 percent of those calories to warm the inspired air. But you use the heat you generate with exercise to warm the air you breathe and prevent your lungs from getting chilled. Hence, you might not sweat as much. But, you don't burn extra calories, unless your body temperature drops and you start to shiver. In the summer, you would have dissipated this heat via sweat. You may, however, burn off a few more calories to carry extra clothing. Athletes who lug around heavy clothing and sports equipment (i.e., skis and ski boots, heavy parkas, snow shoes) do burn more calories. For example, the Army allows 10 percent more calories for the heavily clad troops who exercise in the cold. But winter runners or race walkers generally wear minimal heavy clothing... If you are too scantily clad (or have little body fat) and your body becomes chilled, you will need more calories to stay warm. For example, scantily clad research subjects who exercised in the cold (14 degrees F) burned 13 percent more calories than when they performed the same exercise at room temperature - about 450 versus 400 calories per hour. Back to top About the author: Annette Lang Annette Lang has been in the health and fitness industry since 1983, working in sales, education, management and personal training. She is one of the most sought-after presenters at health and fitness conferences in the US and abroad. She speaks on a variety of topics related to the education of fitness professionals, contributing to the integrity of the personal training business within health clubs. The conference groups include: Perform Better, The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), American Fitness Professionals and Associates (AFPA), the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), International Health and Racquet Sports Association (IHRSA), Club Industry, Towne Sports International (TSI) Summit, Reebok International, Sara’s City Workouts and more. In 2005, Annette presented at international conferences in Moscow and Portugal. Annette is a Reebok University Master Trainer and helped develop Reebok Reactive Neuromuscular Training (RNT), Reebok Core Training, Reebok One to One Flexibility Training and Reebok Deck Training. She presents for Free Motion Fitness exercise equipment and is one of the original authors for www.PTontheNET.com. Annette was on the original team of the Equinox Fitness Training Institute, developing and teaching the nationally recognized education program for Equinox personal trainers. Annette teaches at numerous health clubs on a regular basis, some of her programs being a standard component of the facilities’ education process. The clubs include Equinox, Crunch/Bally, Wellbridge, NY Health & Racquet and many private facilities. Trainers enjoy Annette’s practical way of teaching, making concepts easy to understand and relating topics to real life training on the gym floor. Annette works as a private trainer in New York City. 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