One study of neutral quality rating (Adriaens, 2003) taking 3 bi-weekly RMR measures in 19 adults (11 women and 8 men, age range 16-33 years) reports an intra individual coefficient of variation (CV) range from 0.4-7.2% after eliminating subjects who have broken fasting protocol requirements and 5 measures of significant within-machine variability. Another study of neutral quality rating (subanalysis in Goran, 1993) taking 3-monthly RMR measures in 18 men (assuming normal distribution, 18-28 years) have an intra-individual CV from 0.7 to 8.0% with individual monthly RMR differences ranging from 0 to 248 kcals/day. In 19 women (19-35 years; and that participated in 12 RMR measures during their menstrual cycle) (Henry, 2004), intra-individual CV ranged from 1.7-10.4% and the individual difference between the highest and lowest RMR measure ranged from 63-310 kcals/day; group mean RMR (kcals)/ body weight (kg )/day was similar (1.7-10.5%).

Five studies of neutral quality rating (Adriaens, 2003, Fredrix, 1990, Goran, 1993, Short, Wiest, Sedlock, 1996, and Visser, 1995) and representing data from 220 non-obese and obese adults (16-32 and 56-79 years and BMI range 19-42 kg/m²) report that two or three RMR measures taken two days, one or two weeks, or 5 months apart result in a group mean intra-individual CV between 3.3 to 7.8% and represent individuals who moderately exercise or are sedentary.