RESTING METABOLIC-RATE IS INFLUENCED BY ANXIETY IN COLLEGE MEN

The effects of psychological parameters on resting metabolic rate (RMR ) have been inadequately researched. The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between anxiety and RMR. Seventy-nine male c ollege students completed the trait portion (form Y-2) of the State-Tr ait Anxiety Inventory (C. D. Spielberger, R. L. Gorsuch, R. Lushene, P . R. Vagg, and G. A. Jacobs. Self-evaluation questionnaire (form Y). I n: Manual for the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Palo Alto, CA, Consul ting Psychologists Press, 1983) as a screening. Volunteers whose trait anxiety scores were greater than or equal to 1 SD above (52.7 +/- 2.7 , n = 9) or below (26.5 +/- 3.0, n = 11) the male college student norm al values (38 +/- 9) participated in the study. Fat-free weight was as sessed using a seven-site skinfold equation (A. S. Jackson and M. L. P ollock. Phys. Sports Med. 13: 76-90, 1985). Resting metabolism was mea sured (Sensormedics metabolic cart model 2900) at two separate trials (1-2 wk apart) in the early morning after a 12-h fast and 36 h postexe rcise. An analysis of covariance with fat-free weight as the covariate revealed a significantly greater (P < 0.005) RMR in the high trait an xious group than in the low trait anxious group. State anxiety (form Y -1) assessments made before and after each RMR measurement revealed a significant main effect of group such that state anxiety was higher in the high trait anxious than in the low trait anxious group for both t rials before and after RMR measurement. Moreover, a significant (P < 0 .003) main effect for the time factor was found showing that state anx iety was reduced after the RMR procedure. The results of this study sh ow that a statistically significant portion of the variance in RMR can be accounted for by individual differences in anxiety.