METS
is the abbreviation for
M
etabolic
E
quivalent of
T
ask.
METS
is a term often used in a rehabilitation setting.
A Metabolic Equivalent is the oxygen (energy) consumption of an individual at rest. One MET is equal to an oxygen consumption of about 3.5 milliliters per kilogram body weight per minute.
When expressed as a number larger than one, it is the ratio of oxygen consumption between that activity and the oxygen consumption at rest. Competitive cyclists often say that 7-10 METS is ideal for fat burning.
As a practical tool, the MET allows for a general comparison of differing activities and relative intensities. Activities are often classified as light, moderate or vigorous, but may also be in any one of the three categories based on how hard the individual is work relative to their capacity. Note: Since METs include body weight as part of the equation, it is a universal number and one need not worry about the effect of body weight.
Key Points:
A Metabolic Equivalent is the oxygen (energy) consumption of an individual at rest. One MET is equal to an oxygen consumption of about 3.5 milliliters per kilogram body weight per minute.
When expressed as a number larger than one, it is the ratio of oxygen consumption between that activity and the oxygen consumption at rest. Competitive cyclists often say that 7-10 METS is ideal for fat burning.
As a practical tool, the MET allows for a general comparison of differing activities and relative intensities. Activities are often classified as light, moderate or vigorous, but may also be in any one of the three categories based on how hard the individual is work relative to their capacity. Note: Since METs include body weight as part of the equation, it is a universal number and one need not worry about the effect of body weight.
- Activities classified as light use less than three METs
- Activities classified as moderate require three to six METs
- Activities classified as vigorous require greater than six METs
Sport/ Fitness Activities |
METs |
Activities of Daily Living |
METs |
| Treadmill 3mph, 4% incline | 3.5 | Cooking, standing | 2.0 |
| Treadmill 5 mph, 0 % incline | 3.5 | Cleaning gutters | 5.0 |
| Golf, walking and carrying clubs | 4.5 | Watching television | 1.0 |
| Soccer, competitive | 10 | Mowing lawn | 5.5 |
| Ice Skating, 9mph or less | 5.5 | Fire fighter , general | 12.0 |
| Skiing, general | 7.0 | Shoveling, >16 lb. /min. | 9.0 |
| Skiing, cross county, >8.0mph | 14.0 | Carrying small children | 3.0 |
| Yoga | 2.5 | Using crutches | 5.0 |
| Circuit training, minimal rest | 8.0 | Walking up stairs | 4-7 |
| Mountain biking | 8.5 | General housework | 3-4 |
Key Points:
• One MET is the equivalent oxygen consumption at rest.
• A MET level higher than 1 is the ratio of oxygen consumption between that activity and rest.
• The MET allows for comparison of oxygen consumption between dissimilar activities.
Note:
The 770 and 625 products have a METS read out where the 525 product line does not.