The Cold Shift

Permanent claim record

Research Interpretation

Cold-water immersion increased metabolic rate as the body generated heat to defend core temperature.

Statement type
Research Interpretation
Evidence confidence
Moderate
Ice Sack applicability
Indirect Analogy
Last reviewed
2026-08-04

Evidence synthesis

Metabolic rate increased during immersion at 14 °C and 20 °C compared to thermoneutral conditions, consistent with thermogenic defense of core temperature.

Limitations

Water immersion has different heat-transfer characteristics from dry cold. The metabolic increase magnitude depends on temperature, duration, body composition, and method.

Supporting records

Human physiological responses to immersion into water of different temperaturesEuropean Journal of Applied Physiology, 2000 · PMID 10751106
Return to claim ledger