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Sports doctor Matthew Kampert: “Sweating more does not mean burning more calories”

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Sports medicine specialist Matthew Kampert says calorie expenditure depends mainly on how hard the muscles work, not on how much a person sweats.
  • Sweat primarily removes water and electrolytes, so weight lost during heavy sweating is usually temporary and returns after rehydration.
  • Fat loss requires maintaining a calorie deficit over time, while saunas should not replace regular physical activity.

Sweating heavily during a workout does not necessarily mean the body is burning more calories, according to Cleveland Clinic sports medicine specialist Matthew Kampert. The two processes may occur together, but they serve different functions.

Kampert explained that calorie expenditure rises when muscles perform more work. Muscles use energy from carbohydrates and fats, and generate heat during movement. Sweating begins as the body’s cooling response: sweat reaches the skin and helps remove heat as it evaporates.

Sweating more during a workout does not necessarily mean burning more calories.

· Matthew KampertThe sports medicine specialist explains that sweating and calorie expenditure are different processes.

That is why running in cool weather can require substantial energy even when a person barely sweats. Hot conditions, by contrast, can produce heavy sweating without a corresponding increase in calories burned.

During an intense workout, people often burn more calories and sweat more, but the increase in calorie expenditure comes from the muscles working harder, not from producing sweat.

· Matthew KampertKampert explains why intense exercise can increase both sweating and calorie burn.

A lower number on the scale immediately after a demanding session also does not necessarily indicate fat loss. “Sweat is composed mainly of water and electrolytes, so much of the weight lost during an activity in which a person sweats heavily consists of fluids. After rehydration, a significant part of that weight returns,” Kampert said.

Fat loss works differently and requires a sustained calorie deficit, meaning the body uses more energy than it consumes. Kampert cited the general estimate that one pound, or 0.45 kilograms, of body fat corresponds to a deficit of about 3,500 calories, while stressing that this is only an estimate and does not apply exactly to everyone. He also said saunas may provide cardiovascular benefits and support recovery, but should not substitute for regular exercise.

Sweat is composed mainly of water and electrolytes, so much of the weight lost during an activity in which a person sweats heavily consists of fluids. After rehydration, a significant part of that weight returns.

· Matthew KampertHe distinguishes temporary fluid loss from permanent fat loss.
About this summary

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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