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Open Access Thesis

Keywords

Body composition; Metabolism;

Abstract

Previous investigators have established predictors affecting basal metabolic rate. These include body size, age and sex, surface area, temperature and environment, and exercise. Conflicting data have been reported concerning the expression of basal metabolism in units of square meters of surface area. It was the purpose of this study to observe the relationship of lean body mass (LBM) to resting metabolic rate (RMR) in college-age males of high lean body mass and low lean body mass. A second purpose was to determine the validity of a relatively new method of measuring resting metabolic rate using a whole body calorimeter (WBC). Twenty subjects were weighed and measured for percentage body fat. Two groups were formed {N = 10), one comprised of body builders (LBM ≥ 170 lbs.). The other group comprised of cross-country athletes and intercollegiate swimmers (LBM ≤130 lbs.). Direct and indirect measures of energy expenditure were determined using a whole-body calorimeter and Beckman Metabolic Measurement Cart or o2 consumption method. Independent tests showed a significant difference (p ≤ .05) between high lean and low lean groups for values of absolute RMR (kcal/min). However, relative RMR (kcal/kg of LBM*min) showed no significant difference (p ≥ .05). A Pearson correlation was used to identify those variables with high correlations. Of significance in this study were the high correlations for both groups combined between LBM and RMR (r = .6813). However, in comparing the whole-body calorimeter with the criterion method of o2 consumption, the correlation coefficient was r = -.4802. It was concluded that quantities of LBM correlate more closely with RMR than do fat mass or body size. The higher absolute RMR demonstrated by the high lean group appears to be due to their proportionately high amounts of lean body mass and not their actual total body mass. The whole-body calorimeter was not a valid method for determining metabolic rates for this particular group of subjects.

Year of Submission

1984

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation

First Advisor

Forrest Dolgener

Second Advisor

Jane E. Richards

Third Advisor

Larry D. Hensley

Comments

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Date Original

1984

Object Description

1 PDF file (68 leaves)

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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