Does Resting Aerobic Metabolic Rates of Purchase College Students Correlate with Activity Level?

Abstract

Resting Aerobic Metabolic Rate (RMR) is the energy expenditure per unit of time within individuals in a state of rest. Metabolism comprises the processes that the body needs to maintain the very basic and vitals functions of the body including breathing, homeostasis, and the beating of the heart. Each mechanism requires a specific amount of energy (calories) to be used which is converted from food energy. Multiple Factors are thought to attribute to an individual's RMR, ranging from Body Mass Index (BMI), gender, age, height, weight, and circulating thyroid hormone levels. Recent studies have found that an individual's level of activity or relative fitness could also affect RMR. Physical activity may increase muscle mass, and muscle tissue has a greater metabolic rate than adipose tissue. The aim of my study was to determine whether there are significant differences in the resting metabolic rate between Purchase College students which had engaged in varying levels of physical activity. I found that students who engaged in regular aerobic activity had greater resting metabolic rates than did inactive students. These students also had a lower BMI and likely had more skeletal muscle tissue and less fat.