Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to investigate energy expenditure, food intake and appetite feelings in response to water- vs. land-based cycling exercises in healthy young women. Methods: Anthropometric measurements and body composition were assessed among 20 women who performed four experimental sessions in a randomized order: (i) a rest condition (CONT); (ii) a 30-min aqua-cycling exercise session (WAT), (iii) a 30-min land-cycling exercise session at the same rpm (LAND), (iv) a land-cycling session at the same heart rate and isoenergetic to WAT (LAND-Iso). Energy expenditure and substrate oxidation were measured by indirect calorimetry; ad libitum energy intake during subsequent lunch was assessed with appetite feelings recorded at regular intervals. Results: Energy expenditure was higher during the 30-min WAT than during CONT and LAND (p < 0.001). Carbohydrate oxidation was higher in the WAT session compared to CONT and LAND (p < 0.05). LAND-Iso duration was significantly increased (+14 min) to reach the same energy expenditure as in the WAT condition (p < 0.05). There was no differences in food intake between sessions. Conclusion: While further studies are needed to optimize the chronic energetic effects of aqua-cycling, the present study suggests that this exercise modality could represent an efficient strategy to induce acute energy deficit.
Highlights
Public health policies promote healthy active living to prevent the development of chronic diseases that have been shown to be associated with inactivity [1]
As land-cycling exercise session at the same rpm (LAND)-Iso was set to be iso-energetic to WAT session, there was no difference in EE between the two sessions, but they both induced a higher EE compared to the LAND condition (p < 0.05)
Respiratory exchange ratio (RER) was higher in WAT compared to CONT and LAND (0.86 ± 0.08 vs. 0.79 ± 0.08 vs. 0.79 ± 0.07 p < 0.05, ES: 0.16)
Summary
Public health policies promote healthy active living to prevent the development of chronic diseases that have been shown to be associated with inactivity [1]. Brechat et al [4] have studied the metabolic adaptations to water-cycling exercise in healthy young men, showing a 25% increased oxygen consumption during water compared with land exercise. White and collaborators showed that a 45-min imposed cycling exercise set at moderate intensity (60% of VO2max) favored increased subsequent food intake when performed in the cold compared with resting condition and thermoneutral water temperature (20 vs 33 ◦C) [7]. All of these studies were conducted among healthy young men, while current aqua-cycling programs almost exclusively serve women. The aim of this study was to investigate energy expenditure, food intake and appetite feelings in response to water- vs land-based cycling exercises in healthy young women. Conclusion: While further studies are needed to optimize the chronic energetic effects of aqua-cycling, the present study suggests that this exercise modality could represent an efficient strategy to induce acute energy deficit
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
