II. Definition
- One MET: Resting metabolic rate at 3.5 ml O2/kg/min
- One Kilocalorie (kcal): 200 ml of Oxygen (O2) used
-
Energy Expenditure in KCals/minute
- KCals/min = 0.0175 kcals/kg/min x METS x WtKg
- Where WtKg = weight in kilograms
- Kcals below assume 70 kg person
III. Examples: 4 METS (Used by Surgical Risk Evaluation)
- See ACC-AHA Preoperative Cardiac Risk Assessment
- See Preoperative Cardiovascular Evaluation
- Light housework (dusting, washing dishes)
- Climb a flight of stairs
- Walk on level ground at 15 minutes per mile (4 miles/hour)
IV. Examples: Light Activity (50 to 200 KCals per hour)
- Lying or Sleeping (80 kcals/hour or 1.0 METS)
- Desk Work (110 kcals/hour or 1.5 METS)
- Driving (120 kcals/hour or 1.6 METS)
- Fishing (130 kcals/hour or 1.8 METS)
- Sitting (100 kcals/hour or 1.4 METS)
- Standing (140 kcals/hour or 2 METS)
- Housework (180 kcals/hour or 2.5 METS)
V. Examples: Moderate Activity (200 to 350 KCals per hour)
-
Bicycling
- Pace: 5.5 mph (220 kcals/hour or 3 METS)
- Pace: 11 mph (440 kcals/hour or 6 METS)
- Pace: 16.5 mph (660 kcals/hour or 9 METS)
- Boating
- Canoeing at 2.5 mph: 230 kcals/hour or 3 METS
- Row boat at 2.5 mph: 300 kcals/hour or 4 METS
- Bowling (270 kcals/hour or 4 METS)
- Golf
- Golf cart: 150 kcals/hour (2 METS)
- Walking: 300 kcalks/hour (4 METS)
- Swimming at 0.25 mph (300 kcals/hour or 4 METS)
- Walking (approximately 100 calories per mile)
- Pace: 2 mph (150 kcals/hour or 2 METS)
- Pace: 4 mph (330 kcals/hour or 4 METS)
- Yard Work
- Gardening: 220 kcals/hour or 3 METS
- Power Lawn Mower: 250 kcals/hour or 3 METS
VI. Examples: Strenuous Activity (over 350 kcals/hour)
- Dance
- Slow Step: 300 kcals/hour or 4 METS
- Square Dancing: 350 kcals/hour or 5 METS
- Fast Step (Aerobic): 490 kcals/hour or 6 METS
- Racquet Sports
- Badminton (350 kcals/hour or 5 METS)
- Racquetball Singles (775 kcals/hour or 10 METS)
- Squash or Handball (600 kcals/hour or 8 METS)
- Tennis Singles (420 kcals/hour or 5 METS)
-
Running (approximately 100 calories per mile)
- Jogging: 5 mph (640 kcals/hour or 8.7 METS)
- Moderate: 6 mph (750 kcals/hour or 10.2 METS)
- Fast: 10 mph (1200 kcals/hour or 16.3 METS)
- Shoveling (400 kcals/hour or 5 METS)
- Skating at 10 MPH (400 kcals/hour or 5 METS)
-
Skiing
- Cross Country Skiing (900 kcals/hour or 12 METS)
- Downhill Skiing (600 kcals/hour or 8 METS)
- Waterskiing (460 kcals/hour or 6 METS)
VII. Resources
- Measuring Physical Activity Intensity
VIII. References
- Kostas (1996) Balancing Act,Quebecor Print, p. C18-9
- Prentice (1994) Fitness for College, Mosby, p. 182-3
- Ainsworth (1993) Med Sci Sports Exerc 25(1):71-80 [PubMed]