Individual Errors

In one high quality research design study of 10 women and 10 men (age range 19-36 y and BMI 17-32 kg/m2) residing in the Netherlands, the individual magnitude of the response three hours post-exposure to moderate cold
(15° C or 59° F) compared to RMR at typical ambient temperature (22°C or 71.6° F) ranged from a decrease of 4% to an increase of 30% in winter and from a decrease of 12% to an increase of 24% in summer. RMR is affected, to variable degrees in given individuals, by moderate cold exposure or ambient room temperatures outside of a comfortable zone (22-25°C) for healthy adults.

Group mean Errors

Two narrative reviews recommend measuring RMR in patients in a thermoneutral environment (no temperature range given).

Group mean RMR measured at ambient room temperatures of 32° and 35° Celsius (89.6° and 95°F; closer to body temperature), were not related to burn size ranging from 20-97%. In contrast, group mean RMR was elevated when ambient temperatures were near thermoneutral conditions of 22-28°C, increased in proportion to burn size and greatest at 22°C (71.6°F).

Group mean Errors

In non US-residing healthy adults (age range 19-36 y ; BMI 17-32 kg/m²), after three-hours of moderate cold exposure (15° C or 59° F), the group mean RMR was increased 11.5±9.1% and 7.0±10.5% in winter and in summer seasons, respectively as compared to group mean RMR at comfortable ambient temperatures (22°C or 71.6° F). In a second international study of healthy adults (age range 20-29 and body fat % range of 9-21%), there were no significant group mean RMR differences in the summer season after sleeping in a room with ambient room temperatures of 20°C (68°F) or 25°C (77°F). In summary, group mean RMR is affected by variation from moderate cold exposure below a comfortable zone (22-25°C or 68-72 F) but not at comfortable temperatures.