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.
Several factors determine your individual basal metabolism, including: 1  Your body size and composition. People who are larger or have more muscle burn more calories, even at rest. 2  Your sex. Men usually have less body fat and more muscle than do women of the same age and weight, which means men burn more calories. 3  Your age.