[ariel (OP)]

I have been told that since your body is involuntarily shivering to produce more body heat that it burns more calories than any other activity.  I guess that makes sense, but it's hard to imagine that shivering burns more calories than sprinting!
So, have I been told a true statement or a lie[?]

[chris]

Shivering is a very efficient form of heat production which involves burning energy in muscles to release heat and so warm up the body.

As you know, muscles can only contract and so they're arranged in antagonistic pairs around joints; that is, one muscle moves the joint in one direction whilst its opposite number moves the joint back the other way.

During a movement one of the pair of muscles is activated whilst its antagonistic partner is switched off until just before the correct joint position is achieved.

But when you shiver both muscles are activated simultaneously so that they work against each other. As a result there is little of no net movement of the joint, but a huge amount of energy is burned. As muscles are only about 20% efficient i.e. 80% of the energy they burn turns into heat, this is a very good way to warm the body.

However, I agree with you that shivering is probably not as good at burning energy as sprinting.

Chris

"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
 - Groucho Marx

[neilep]

...are you saying that unless I start running the only way for me to lose weight is by sitting in my refrigerator ?..[]

Men are the same as women.... just inside out !!

[sharkeyandgeorge]

i remember a ray mears programme wher the recreated the sabotage of a heavy water plant in world war two where the men ate over 4000 calories a day and still lost over a stone in weight due to the cold

"Defender of the Sea"

[neilep]

....got gloves, sony psp, loo roll, mobile phone & Potty !!....*opens fridge door*..."I'm going inside...I may be some time "

Men are the same as women.... just inside out !!

[moonfire]

LOL, I may have to try the fridge method of weight loss!

"Lo" Loretta

[Carolyn]

I'm purchasing a walk in cooler

Carolyn

[MayoFlyFarmer]

as far as sprinting vs. shivering, yes you probably would burn mre calories by sprinting for 30 seconds than shivering for 30 seconds.  but i would bet shivering is the most efficient SUSTAINABLE way to burn calories.  You can only sprint for so long until your muscles will fill up with lactic acid and you won't be able to continue.  whereas you should be able to shiver until your body completely uses up all of its enegry (calories) suply.

Are YOUR mice nude? []

[moonfire]

Hmmm, forgot about this subject, but just thought about adding this tidbit...maybe inventing a suit to wear with icepacks throughout, surely will shiver some calories for sure then..they did make a thermal suit to sweat your fanny off...I think I prefer this method of madness to hot...oh brother, looks like it is going to be a steamer today again...aagghh 76 at 9:19am...already.

"Lo" Loretta

[neilep]

quote:Originally posted by moonfire

Hmmm, forgot about this subject, but just thought about adding this tidbit...maybe inventing a suit to wear with icepacks throughout, surely will shiver some calories for sure then..they did make a thermal suit to sweat your fanny off...I think I prefer this method of madness to hot...oh brother, looks like it is going to be a steamer today again...aagghh 76 at 9:19am...already.

"Lo" Loretta

You could just camp out in the freezer section of your local supermarket !

...oooh...you said ' fanny ' ooh..hee hee !! *fanny means poonani (female joy dept)....here in the UK....aiieeeee*...sweating your fanny off would be most inconvenient !! []

Men are the same as women, just inside out !

[Hadrian]

How many calories do you burn when your skin crawls?
 



What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.

[Laith]

do people with bigger muscles burn more?

Laith

[moonfire]

Neilsy, Oopps, my bad....yikes...forget sometimes we say the same thing but adds different meaning...I have been taught better...lol

Hadrian...tsk, tsk...LOL



"Lo" Loretta

[Monox D. I-Fly]

whereas you should be able to shiver until your body completely uses up all of its enegry (calories) suply.

and then die.