The resting energy expenditure (REE) was measured by indirect calorimetry in 10 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in stable clinical state and in 10 normal subjects. In order to avoid artefactually increased values, REE was obtained from prolonged measurements in steady state using a ventilated hood, without facial apparatus. The REE of COPD patients was significantly increased to 117% of predicted basal metabolic rate and to 125% of the control group values. Rib cage and abdominal movements were measured in COPD patients by inductance plethysmography and expressed with three indices: rib cage contribution to tidal volume (RC/VT), variability in compartmental contribution to tidal volume (SD RC/VT), and maximal compartmental amplitude/tidal volume ratio (MCA/VT). No correlation was found between REE and any of the indices of rib cage and abdominal motion. We conclude that the REE is increased in patients with COPD in stable clinical state, but is not related to the degree of abnormal rib cage-abdominal motion.