Variations in leptin and insulin levels within one swimming season in non-obese female cold water swimmers

Abstract

Regular cold water swimming may stimulate metabolic changes suggesting that leptin and insulin participate in adaptive metabolic mechanisms triggered by repeated cold exposure accompanied by mild exercise in healthy non-obese women.

Energy Metabolism and Aging

“…Winter swimming produces a host of physiological responses including regional changes in blood flow, acute responses to the stress of cold water immersion (including transient increases in sympathetic tone and cortisol levels), adaptation to this stress, and stimulation of both shivering and non-shivering thermogenesis. Beneficial metabolic effects include improved insulin sensitivity and reduced insulin levels [73,74], as well as a reduction of and enhanced activity of anti-oxidant enzymes [75]. Although effects of increased thermogenesis in cold water swimmers are difficult (if not impossible) to separate from the effects of exercise and the hormetic responses to repeated stress, the observed physiological changes would be expected to reduce risk of chronic disease and to promote healthy aging.…”

“…Although effects of increased thermogenesis in cold water swimmers are difficult (if not impossible) to separate from the effects of exercise and the hormetic responses to repeated stress, the observed physiological changes would be expected to reduce risk of chronic disease and to promote healthy aging. A pronounced reduction in the insulin levels and enhanced insulin sensitivity [73,74] are of particular note in this context. For the readers who might be interested in starting cold water swimming, we should add that this can be risky, particularly for those with some preexisting heart conditions and generally untrained individuals without prior adaptation to cold [72,76].…”

Cold Water Swimming—Benefits and Risks: A Narrative Review

“…Cardiovascular system Lowering blood pressure [23,47,53,54] Endocrine system Decrease in triglycerides [24,31,55] Increase in insulin sensitivity [3,11,31,56] Decrease in norepinephrine […”

“…Several studies have described a positive effect on the cardiovascular system and cardiovascular risk factors. Cold water swimming appears to have a positive impact on cardiovascular risk factors such as lipid profile [23,24,56] or blood pressure [53].…”

Modulation of thermogenesis and metabolic health: a built environment perspective

“…During longer term cold exposure, lipids are by far the predominant fuel source, providing substrate for 80% of the heat produced after 12 h in the cold . Other studies also suggest that regular severe cold exposure may stimulate insulin sensitivity, as observed in cold water swimmers . Importantly, shivering leads to fatigue, reduces coordination and is uncomfortable.…”