Question

What does it mean when RER is greater than 1?

Answer 1

Hint: All living cells, including plant and animal cells, undergo respiration, which is a chemical reaction. It's the process by which energy is released from glucose, allowing all of the other chemical processes required for life to take place. Do not confuse breathing with respiration (which is properly called ventilation).

Complete answer:
The respiratory exchange ratio (RER) is the proportion of carbon dioxide produced by metabolism to oxygen taken in by the body. Exhaled gases are compared to room air to determine the ratio. This ratio can be used to calculate the respiratory quotient (RQ), which indicates which fuel (carbohydrate or fat) is being metabolized to provide energy to the body.
RER is only accurate for estimating RQ during rest and mild to moderate aerobic exercise without lactate accumulation. The bicarbonate buffer system, among other things, contributes to the loss of accuracy during more intense anaerobic exercise. By exhaling more carbon dioxide, the body attempts to compensate for the accumulation of lactate and reduce blood acidification.
The Respiratory Exchange Ratio (RER) allows you to figure out which type of fuel (protein, fat, or carbohydrate) is being burned. This RER is the Respiratory Quotient, which is the ratio of carbon dioxide produced to oxygen consumed (RQ).
RER values between 0.7 and 1 indicate a mix of carbohydrate and fat as an energy source. If the value is greater than 1, it indicates anaerobic respiration, which occurs when more carbon dioxide is produced than oxygen is consumed.

Note:
A RER of approximately 0.8 is associated with a mixed diet. During intense exercise, the RER can also exceed 1.0. A value greater than 1.0 can't be attributed to substrate metabolism, but rather to the aforementioned bicarbonate buffering factors.