Topic: Basal Metabolic Rate

Recently I wrote of converting fat to heat and energy and not relying on the food I ingest as it cannot possibly provide the 650 to 900 calories I will require each hour. The basic metabolic rate (BMR) is that which is acting when we are asleep or resting and serves to keep the body at 98F degrees even in a cool 70F degree room. If the BMR is insufficient to provide heat we will start to shiver which recruits the muscles in rapid spasm to generate heat. Older people with insufficient muscle mass can actually die of hypothermia in a 65F room.

I have practiced raising my basic metabolic rate during the past year by not wearing more clothing than I need, by sleeping on top of the bedding and by trying to spend time in cold water. In January I had lobar pneumonia from such behaviors and lost three weeks from swimming. In 1986 I spent an average of four hours in 62-degree water each day for several weeks. After the third week it was obvious that my basal metabolic rate had increased for I felt hot and sweaty even when in an adequately air-conditioned movie theatre. This was a good thing as it showed that my training had reached another level.

Next month when I arrive in England, I will spend time twice each day in the water, even if I am not swimming (remember I swim for the most part only on alternate days). Just sitting in those sub-60F temperatures and not generating any heat through exercise should bring on the shivers and tell my body to raise the BMR. I will monitor the time it takes for shivering to start and measure my core temperature and take my temperature at intervals. Over the month it should take longer to shiver as my BMR increases and the core temperature will drop less. Fun, eh!

During the Channel swim I hope not to shiver, for shivering consumes a great deal of energy. If those shivers get violent and then cease I will be in serious hypothermia (95F and below) and unfortunately unaware of my serious situation and may actually feel warm and will have lost some motor and mental function. Some people who become lost and are found dead in winter conditions have been observed to have removed their outer clothing in their final minutes. My pilot will periodically test me with simple math. If he holds up two finger of one hand and one finger of another I have to show him three fingers.

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