The Pulse Rate as a Means of Measuring Metabolic Rate in Man

The possibility of using the pulse rate as a means of measuring metabolic rate in man has been investigated. The relation between pulse rate and metabolic rate was initially established for six subjects by a standard technique over the range of activity from lying still to moderate exertion. The reliability of the relation was tested by repetition of the measurements, and, in the range of muscular exercise, by comparing values for metabolic rate computed from the pulse rate with measured values. While a subject is lying, sitting, and standing still the pulse rate is too variable to be useful for measuring metabolic rate. During muscular work, however, there is a consistent relation and, with certain qualifications, this can provide a practical method of measuring metabolic rate.