title: Relation of age and physical exercise status on metabolic rate in younger and older healthy men.
abstract: We examined the influence of age and habitual physical exercise level on resting metabolic rate (RMR) and thermic effect of a meal test (TEM) by studying sedentary and physically active younger and older men. RMR was measured using a ventilated hood and TEM for 180 min after ingestion of a liquid meal. RMR, adjusted for fat-free weight (FFW) and percent body fat, was lower in sedentary older men relative to the other three groups. TEM (kcal.180 min-1) was highest in active younger (77.3 +/- 3.7) and active older men (69.8 +/- 7.0) relative to sedentary younger (53.1 +/- 4.0) and sedentary older men (51.5 +/- 6.9). TEM was not related to age or body composition. A sedentary life style in older men may be associated with a lower RMR, independent of FFW and percent body fat, relative to younger men and older men who regularly exercise. Participation in physical exercise, regardless of age, is associated with a higher TEM.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nutrition, College of Medicine, University of Vermont.
authors.forename: E T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Poehlman
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Melby
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Badylak
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D004435:Eating; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D015444:Exercise; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008660:Metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012146:Rest