The basal metabolism and the work metabolism of the farmers were measured in the busy farming season, in June 1954.
The average basal metabolism of the 22 men with an average age of 30 years was 41.0 calories per square meter per hour. The lowest was 36.7, the highest 48.7. This average value was 12% higher than the Japanese standard. In the 12 women with an average age of 23 years, the average basal met abolism was 37.7 calories per square meter per hour. The lowest was 33.6, the highest 40.6. This average basal metabolic rate was 14% higher than the Japanese standard.
The relative metabolic rates (R. M. R.=extra calories above resting due to work/basal metab.) of the various agricultural works were in the range of about 2.0 to 6.5. Considering the average R. M. R. during the working hours in a day, it showed the value of 4.0-5.0.
On the 15 farmers, the time distribution of their daily life and their energy consumption per day were showed in comparison at the busy season and the leisure season for farmers, as follows:
