Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET)

    The metabolic equivalent of task (MET) is defined as the ratio of energy consumption during a task with an active metabolism to a standardized resting metabolism (i.e., 3 METs indicates the body is working three times as much as it would at rest).

    Summary

    The metabolic equivalent of task (MET) is a measure of the energy used when performing a specific task as a multiple of what an individual uses at rest. One MET is conventionally set to the average rate of consumption of oxygen while at rest: 3.5 mL of O2 per kg of body weight per minute for a 70-kilogram person;[1] however, every individual’s resting metabolic rate varies slightly.

    Understanding the MET allows one to estimate the amount of calories used, because oxygen consumption is directly related to calories burned. One liter of O2 consumption is estimated to burn 5 calories, but this conversion is limited because it does not account for variations in the proportion of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins being metabolized; nor does it consider individual variation in key characteristics that affect oxygen needs like body size and genes.[2] Nevertheless, given the 5 cal/1 L O2 conversion, one can derive a rate estimation of calories burned per minute:

    The measured or estimated MET values of over 1,000 activities have been collected in the 2024 Adult Compendium of Physical Activities.

    References

    1. ^Metabolic equivalents (METS) in exercise testing, exercise prescription, and evaluation of functional capacityClinical Cardiology.(1990-08-01)
    2. ^Scott CMisconceptions about Aerobic and Anaerobic Energy Expenditure.J Int Soc Sports Nutr.(2005 Dec 9)