The number of calories burned while swimming with a kickboard varies based on your body weight and level of intensity while exercising. Unfortunately, existing research on calorie expenditure does not provide specific information about using a kickboard. However, it is possible to estimate this number based on data for swimming.
Body Weight
In general, the more you weigh, the more calories you burn for the same amount of exercise. Moving more mass requires more energy. A few examples will show how body weight affects calorie expenditure in the pool.
ACE Fitness Physical Activity Calorie Counter
The American Council on Exercise offers website visitors a calorie counter for various forms of physical activity. You are asked to enter your body weight, select an activity, and choose the length of time you will be exercising. A person weighing 155 lbs. who engaged in "Swimming (Casual)" for 45 minutes would burn 369 calories. A person weighing 185 lbs. would burn 441 calories due to moving added mass.
Harvard Heart Letter
In 2004, a chart posted in the Harvard Heart Letter reviewing calories burned for various forms of exercise displays slightly lower findings than those on the ACE website. A 155 lb. person who exercised in the "Swimming: General" category would burn about 335 calories in 45 minutes. A 185 lb person would expend close to 399 calories.
Conclusion
These equations may overestimate calories burned when swimming with a kickboard because they are assessing expenditure based on exercise with the arms. However, the estimates above are calculated from low intensity swimming. You would be more likely to expend the amount of calories listed with moderate to vigorous intensity on the kickboard.
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