Metabolic Heart Rate Tests

According to the Weight Control Information Network, more than two-thirds of the adult population in the United States is either overweight or obese, even though dieting and weight loss solutions are available everywhere. Many times, a dieting solution works for one person but not another. This might be because metabolism varies from one person to another. There are metabolic tests available to help determine the number of calories burned in a day, which can help with long-term weight loss.

Resting Metabolic Rate

Resting metabolic rate is the minimal amount of energy it takes to sustain basic physiological processes. This measurement is taken at a resting heart rate and does not take into consideration being active or consuming any food. Resting metabolic rate accounts for 60 percent to 75 percent of the total energy we expend each day, according to Jack H. Wilmore and David L. Costill, authors of the "Physiology of Sport and Exercise."

Metabolism

Your resting metabolic rate is only one of three components that make up your overall daily energy expenditure. The thermic effect of a meal is the increase in the metabolic rate associated with the digestion, absorption, transport, metabolism and storage of ingested food. This makes up about 10 percent of your total daily energy expenditure. The thermic effect of activity is energy expended above the resting metabolic rate to perform daily activities and accounts for 15 percent to 30 percent of daily energy expenditure. Diets involving fasting or diets extremely low in calories decrease all three components, with the resting metabolic rate decreasing 20 percent to 30 percent, according to Wilmore and Costill.

Metabolic Rate Test

The results of a resting metabolic rate test can tell your doctor if you have an increased or decreased metabolism and if your body primarily uses fats or carbohydrates for energy, according to MET-Test. When combined with your activity level and food you consume each day, the information from the test is used to determine the amount of calories to consume daily to maintain or lose weight.

Testing Process

The resting metabolic rate test is performed while relaxing in a chair after not exercising, eating or drinking anything for at least five hours. During the test, you are required to wear an oxygen mask and will have electrocardiogram stickers placed on your chest so that oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide output and an electrocardiogram are measured for 16 to 20 minutes. The most accurate results occur when the subject is in a very relaxed state.