RESTING METABOLIC RATE TEST

Resting Metabolic Rate is the number of calories that your body burns while at rest.

There are many ways to calculate RMR and BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate). The simplest is by using an equation that takes your height, weight, age, and gender into account, but the accuracy of this method is questionable.

Basal metabolic rate (BMR) and resting metabolic rate (RMR) both measure the amount of energy —in calories — that your body needs to stay alive and function properly. Many people use the two terms interchangeably, but they have slightly different meanings.

Your BMR measures the minimum number of calories that your body needs to perform necessary functions. These functions include:

  • Pumping blood throughout your body

  • Digesting food

  • Breathing

  • Keeping a stable body temperature

  • Growing hair and skin

  • Maintaining levels of different chemicals

Your BMR makes up 70% of the calories you burn every 24 hours. Other ways that your body uses calories include exercising and moving your body in general.

Your weight, height, age, gender, genetics, and other details all play a role in your BMR. The most significant contributor is your weight that doesn’t come from fat, especially your muscles.

The Harris-Benedict Equation is the standard equation for estimation of BMR.

Harris-Benedict Equation for BMR:

  • Men: BMR = 88.362 + (13.397 x weight in kg) + (4.799 x height in cm) - (5.677 x age in years)

  • Women: BMR = 447.593 + (9.247 x weight in kg) + (3.098 x height in cm) - (4.330 x age in years)

The Harris-Benedict equation have an accuracy of 70 percent, which means it can lead to major errors in estimating your true calorie needs.

We offer indirect calorimetry to provide you with a metabolic rate that's more reliable than using a calculation. The test is non-invasive and usually takes about an hour.

For the test, you will wear a mask for a short period of time (around 15 minutes) while resting. The mask measures the exchange of gasses to determine the number of calories you burn when your body is at complete rest.

As we age, our metabolism slows and the rate at which we break down food decreases by 10 percent each decade after age 20. Hence, the tendency to gain weight as we age. Everyone react differently to dietary changes which is why a true measurement of RMR is so valuable. When you reduce calorie intake, the RMR normally also goes down. This may or may not be in conjunction with weight loss. It is critical to measure those changes periodically to make the necessary adjustments in diet and exercise to keep patients on track.

The RMR measurement process takes about one hour. The first 20-30 minutes is a rest period prior to placing on the face mask. You then wear the mask for a further 20-30 minutes. The goal is to find a 5-15 minute period when you are absolutely relaxed without movements or physical or mental distress.

PREPARATION

There are some pretesting requirements regarding meals and beverages.

These are as follows:

  • Light Meals (< 500 kcals) – 4 hr fast

  • Medium/Heavy Meals (>500 kcals) – 8 hr fast

  • Caffeine Beverages – 8-12 hr fast

  • Non caffeine beverages (i.e., milk, meal substitute shakes)

  • Nicotine Use – 8-12 hr fast

  • Light to moderate exercise – Abstain 18-24 hr

  • Intense exercise – Abstain 48 hr

  • Restful sleep requirements – 8-12 hr

Please enquire for pricing:

Email: clinic@orakinetics.co.nz  |  Phone: Lukas 020 4065 6902