Elwell, Walter A. Entry for 'Will'. Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. . 1997.
see metabolic rate. basal metabolism. the minimal energy expended for the maintenance of respiration, circulation, peristalsis, muscle tonus, body temperature, glandular activity and the other vegetative functions of the body. See also metabolic rate.
A body with a greater ratio of muscle to fat requires more calories each day. Men, who are generally more muscular than women, burn more calories. Additionally, most people lose muscle mass as they age, so younger people tend to burn more calories than do older people. Weight training is an effective way to speed up your basal metabolism.