Basal metabolism was determined by measuring O₂ consumption in 5 groups of 24 month-old male rats. Group 1 ate their fill, group 2 and 3 were maintained on food restrictively. Group 4 and 5 were under food restriction and exercise started at 1 st month and 12 th month respectively. The rats of group 4 could run longer 3.5 fold time than group 1, and their basal metabolism was 1.2 fold.
　Furthermore, food restriction and exercise started at 1 st month prevented an accumulation of fat in the group 4. In cases of food restriction only began at 1 st month or 12 th month, their basal metabolism kept up constantly, however their body fat accumulation was not prevented. Food restriction and exercise began at middle age induced same ability to run in 3 ~ 4 month-old rats, but did not cause decreasing body fat significantly, in cases with two fold duration and a half frequency of exercise though total amount of exercise prevented an accumulation of fat significantly with increase basal metabolism.

DESCENTE SPORTS SCIENCE Vol.13/THE DESCENTE AND ISHIMOTO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION SPORTS SCIENCE