Moderate cardiorespiratory fitness is positively associated with resting metabolic rate in young adults

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether moderate cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) or moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is associated with elevations in resting metabolic rate (RMR) similar to findings previously observed in endurance athletes. Participants and Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, we measured CRF, RMR, body composition, energy expenditure, and time in MVPA via an arm-based activity monitor in 423 young adults (mean age, 27.6 years). Based on the results of a fitness test, participants were classified into CRF tertiles (low, moderate, or high) by sex. Results: There were significant differences among the low-, moderate-, and high-CRF groups for mean ± SD body mass index (calculated as the weight in kilograms divided by the height in meters squared) (28.1±4.1, 25.1±3.4, and 23.6±2.5, respectively; P