Comparison of energy expenditure in men and women at rest and during exercise recovery.

The purpose of this study was to compare the energy expenditure (EE) of men and women at rest and during a 1 h recovery from 30 min of exercise at 40% of VO2max. Subjects were five physically active lean men (mean age, % fat, and VO2max = 34.8 +/- 8.1 years, 8.1 +/- 3.2% and 63.8 +/- 8 ml.kg-1.min-1, respectively) and five physically active lean women (mean age, % fat, and VO2max = 26.2 +/- 5.1 years, 17.6 +/- 4.5%, and 50.2 +/- 13.6 ml.kg-1.min-1, respectively). Energy expenditure (EE) was measured continuously by standard open circuit spirometry for 20 min at rest and for 1 h immediately after 30 min of exercise at 40% of VO2max. Independent t tests and ANCOVA were used to compare EE of men and women at rest and during exercise recovery. EE at rest in the men was significantly greater using a t test (p less than .05) than in the women but it was not when the data were adjusted with ANCOVA using body weight, VO2max in ml.kg-1.min-1, and percent body fat as covariates. The EE during 1 h of recovery was also significantly higher in the men using a t test (p less than .05) and after the data were adjusted for differences in VO2max (p less than .02). With body weight and percent fat as covariates. The EE during 1 h of recovery was also significantly higher in the men using a t test (p less than .05) and after the data were adjusted for differences in VO2max (p less than .02).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)