Physical Education · Ch 6 — Test and Measurement in Sports
Computing Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)
Computing Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)
Computing Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) is the number of calories the body needs to maintain its functions at complete rest. Put another way, it is the energy burnt by the body just to carry out basic life-sustaining functions. Even a person who does no work at all still needs energy to run the internal organs - that minimum energy requirement is the Basal Metabolic Rate. BMR is expressed in kilocalories (Kcal).
Several factors affect a person's BMR, including muscle mass, age, state of mind, gender, genetics and body composition. Environmental changes such as heat and cold can also change the body's energy requirement. Understanding BMR is a frequent focus of CBSE Class 12 Physical Education questions and answers on test and measurement.
- Purpose: to determine the Basal Metabolic Rate.
- Equipment: a stadiometer, a weighing machine, and pen and paper.
- Procedure: height and weight are measured the same way as described for BMI (see section 6.1.1); those values are then put into the BMR equation.
Formula - the Mifflin-St Jeor Equation
The textbook uses the Mifflin-St Jeor BMR equation, which has a separate version for males and females:
Male: BMR = (10 x weight in kg) + (6.25 x height in cm) - (5 x age) + 5
Female: BMR = (10 x weight in kg) + (6.25 x height in cm) - (5 x age) - 161
Worked example (male). For a man of 70 kg, 175 cm, 25 years:
BMR = (10 x 70) + (6.25 x 175) - (5 x 25) + 5
= 700 + 1093.75 - 125 + 5 = 1673.75 Kcal per day.
Worked example (female). For a woman of 55 kg, 160 cm, 25 years:
BMR = (10 x 55) + (6.25 x 160) - (5 x 25) - 161
= 550 + 1000 - 125 - 161 = 1264 Kcal per day. …