This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a related Letter to the Editor Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Van Pelt, R. E. Articles by Seals, D. R. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Van Pelt, R. E. Articles by Seals, D. R.

Regular Exercise and the Age-Related Decline in Resting Metabolic Rate in Women¹

Human Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, Center for Physical Activity, Disease Prevention, and Aging, Department of Kinesiology (R.E.V.P., P.P.J., K.P.D., C.A.D., H.T., D.R.S.), University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309; and the Department of Medicine, Divisions of Cardiology and Geriatric Medicine (D.R.S.), and the Department of Pediatrics, Center for Human Nutrition (B.M.D.), University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado 80262

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Douglas R. Seals, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology, University of Colorado, Campus Box 354, Boulder, Colorado 80309. E-mail: seals{at}spot.colorado.edu

A low resting metabolic rate (RMR) is a risk factor for future weight gain. We tested the hypothesis that the age-related decline in RMR in sedentary women is not observed in women who exercise regularly. Sixty-five healthy, weight-stable women, aged 21–35 or 50–72 yr, were studied: 12 premenopausal and 15 postmenopausal sedentary women, 13 premenopausal and 15 postmenopausal distance runners, and 10 endurance-trained postmenopausal swimmers. RMR was measured by indirect calorimetry (ventilated hood system) after an overnight fast, and values were adjusted for fat mass and fat-free mass (RMR_adj). The RMR_adj was 10% lower in the postmenopausal vs. premenopausal sedentary women (52 ± 2 vs. 57 ± 2 Cal/h; P < 0.002). In contrast, RMR_adj was not significantly different in the premenopausal (59 ± 2 Cal/h) and postmenopausal (57 ± 1 Cal/h) distance runners. The postmenopausal swimmers had a RMR_adj (57 ± 2 Cal/h) identical to that of the postmenopausal runners, suggesting a generalized influence of the endurance exercise-trained state in postmenopausal women. Group differences in RMR_adj were not associated with differences in total energy intake or composition or with plasma concentrations of norepinephrine, T₃, or T₄. However, maximal oxygen consumption (aerobic fitness) accounted for 35% of the individual variance in RMR_adj in the overall population (r = 0.59; P < 0.001). Our results are consistent with the concept that the age-related decline in RMR in sedentary women is not observed in women who regularly perform endurance exercise. The elevated level of RMR observed in middle-aged and older exercising women may play a role in their lower levels of body weight and fatness compared to those in sedentary women.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. Samat, A. Rahim, and A. Barnett Pharmacotherapy for obesity in menopausal women Menopause Int, June 1, 2008; 14(2): 57 - 62. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Stavropoulos-Kalinoglou, G. S Metsios, Y. Koutedakis, A. M Nevill, K. M Douglas, A. Jamurtas, J. J C S V. van Zanten, M. Labib, and G. D Kitas Redefining overweight and obesity in rheumatoid arthritis patients Ann Rheum Dis, October 1, 2007; 66(10): 1316 - 1321. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Bell, N. R. Stob, and D. R. Seals Thermogenic responsiveness to {beta}-adrenergic stimulation is augmented in exercising versus sedentary adults: role of oxidative stress J. Physiol., February 1, 2006; 570(3): 629 - 635. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. P. Jones, R. E. Van Pelt, D. G. Johnson, and D. R. Seals Role of Sympathetic Neural Activation in Age- and Habitual Exercise-Related Differences in the Thermic Effect of Food J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., October 1, 2004; 89(10): 5138 - 5144. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Bell, D. S. Day, P. P. Jones, D. D. Christou, D. S. Petitt, K. Osterberg, C. L. Melby, and D. R. Seals High Energy Flux Mediates the Tonically Augmented {beta}-Adrenergic Support of Resting Metabolic Rate in Habitually Exercising Older Adults J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., July 1, 2004; 89(7): 3573 - 3578. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Bell, P. P. Jones, and D. R. Seals Oxidative Stress Does Not Modulate Metabolic Rate or Skeletal Muscle Sympathetic Activity with Primary Aging in Adult Humans J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., October 1, 2003; 88(10): 4950 - 4954. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. J. Calsbeek, T. L. Thompson, J. A. Dahl, N. R. Stob, J. T. Brozinick Jr., J. O. Hill, and M. S. Hickey Metabolic and anthropometric factors related to skeletal muscle UCP3 gene expression in healthy human adults Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, October 1, 2002; 283(4): E631 - E637. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. E. Van Pelt, F. A. Dinneno, D. R. Seals, and P. P. Jones Age-related decline in RMR in physically active men: relation to exercise volume and energy intake Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, September 1, 2001; 281(3): E633 - E639. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. B. Monroe, D. R. Seals, L. F. Shapiro, C. Bell, D. Johnson, and P. P. Jones Direct evidence for tonic sympathetic support of resting metabolic rate in healthy adult humans Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, May 1, 2001; 280(5): E740 - E744. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. E. Van Pelt, K. P. Davy, E. T. Stevenson, T. M. Wilson, P. P. Jones, C. A. Desouza, and D. R. Seals Smaller differences in total and regional adiposity with age in women who regularly perform endurance exercise Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, October 1, 1998; 275(4): E626 - E634. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]