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 college students completed the trait portion (form Y-2) of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (C. D. Spielberger, R. L. Gorsuch, R. Lushene, P. R. Vagg, and G. A. Jacobs. Self-evaluation questionnaire (form Y). In: Manual for the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Palo Alto, CA, Consulting Psychologists Press, 1983) as a screening. Volunteers whose trait anxiety scores were > or = 1 SD above (52.7 +/- 2.7, n = 9) or below (26.5 +/- 3.0, n = 11) the male college student normal values (38 +/- 9) participated in the study. Fat-free weight was assessed using a seven-site skinfold equation (A. S. Jackson and M. L. Pollock. Phys. Sports Med. 13: 76-90, 1985). Resting metabolism was measured (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 postexercise. An analysis of covariance with fat-free weight as the covariate revealed a significantly greater (P < 0.005) RMR in the high trait anxious 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 trials before and after RMR measurement. Moreover, a significant (P < 0.003) main effect for the time factor was found showing that state anxiety was reduced after the RMR procedure. The results of this study show that a statistically significant portion of the variance in RMR can be accounted for by individual differences in anxiety.