Resting Metabolic Rate

Indirect Calorimetry Test

Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) is the amount of energy (calories) your body burns while at rest to maintain basic bodily functions, such as breathing, circulation, and cell production. It represents the minimum energy required to sustain life and accounts for about 60-75% of total daily energy expenditure. RMR varies based on factors like age, gender, body composition, and genetics. It is often used in nutrition and fitness to estimate daily calorie needs and design weight loss, gain, or management plans.

RMR is measured using indirect calorimetry, which accesses the amount of oxygen consumed and carbon dioxide produced while at rest. This method provides an accurate estimate of energy expenditure because the body primarily burns calories through oxygen-dependent metabolic processes. Participants will lie on a table in a relaxed position for approximately 30 minutes. During this time, a clear/opaque dome-like hood will be placed over your head and you will breathe normally and rest comfortably without falling asleep while the machine records data.

Cost

• $100.00
• We are unable to accept insurance as payment for any of our services. Payment can be made via credit card on our online portal.

Interested? Next Steps:

• Please schedule your appointment here. Testing appointments are 1 hour. Testing hours for RMR are Monday-Friday, 8am-noon due to fasting requirements and best results occur closest to waking time.
• Once you have scheduled your appointment, we will email you the payment link for our online portal.
• Please follow the pre-testing instructions below and arrive at least 5 minutes early. You can find directions here. We have Exercise Science Research reserved parking spaces in the parking lot behind our building. Our staff will meet you at the double doors (on the left when parked looking at the building) to provide a parking hangtag for your car and escort you to our labs for testing.
• Immediately after your test, you will receive the raw data from the metabolic cart.

Pre-Testing Instructions

• Fast at least 8 hours prior to the test.
• Attempt to drink 1-2 cups of water 2 hours prior to sleeping.
• Attempt to drink 1-2 cups of water prior to arrival.
• Abstain from prior strenuous exercise (> 24 hours).
• Abstain from prior caffeine ingestion (> 12-24 hours) including that morning.
• Abstain from prior nicotine use (> 3 hours).
• Abstain from prior alcohol use (> 24 hours).
• Attempt to wake up as gently as possible.
• Abstain from nutritional supplements or medications containing ephedra, mahuang, or pseudoephedrine (>12 hours).
• Get an adequate amount of sleep (6-8 hours) the night before the test.