Stability of basal metabolic rate on a polar expedition

Abstract

The basal metabolism studied in 29 young adults on 349 occasions over 2 years in the Arctic was 37.4 (sd α 3.7) kcal/m^-2/hr^-1, and well within the normal British standards. The variability showed no relationship to season. On polar expeditions, men's physiologically significant exposure to cold is small because of efficient protection by clothing and shelter. Information is needed about precise differences of microclimate in the polar regions and at home. Field work could more profitably be directed to the cognate problem of costs of various activities in the cold rather than basal metabolic rate. Submitted on April 25, 1960