There are many misconceptions about how many calories muscles burn while at rest. Many people are under the impression that 1 lb. of muscle burns more than 50 calories at rest. This is not true.
Skeletal Muscle
According to Christian Finn, an expert in exercise science, 1 lb. of skeletal muscle burns 6 calories a day when at rest. It is still more than fatty tissue, which burns only 2 calories a day per 1 lb.
Skeletal Muscle in Action
The amount of calories burned increase substantially when a muscle is in use. The amount of increase varies with the activity performed. The more strenuous, the more calories are burned. The number of calories varies in accordance with exercise, your muscle and your age, gender and genetics.
Cardiac Muscle
The heart, which is comprised mostly of cardiac muscle tissue, burns 200 calories per 1 lb. of muscle a day at rest. During physical activity, the amount of calories burned by this organ increases. The amount varies greatly, depending on activity, as well as your fitness level, age, weight, gender and genetics.
References
- "Exercise and Health"; Prof. T. A. Asmangulyan; 1997
- "Physiology 5th Edition;" Mathew N. Levy, Robert Bern, Bruce Koeppen and Bruce Stanton; 2004
- Facts About Fitness: The Myth About Muscle and Your Metabolic Rate
Member Comments