The clinical measure of physical exertion.
One MET represents the oxygen consumption in the resting state which is equivalent to 3.5 mL/kg per minute.
Cardiorespiratory fitness is typically expressed as maximal oxygen uptake in metabolic equivalents and can be estimated directly or indirectly.
The metabolic equivalent of the task (MET) is a standardized measure used to quantify the energy expenditure of activities as a ratio relative to the energy cost of sitting at rest.
One MET is defined as the energy a person uses while sitting quietly, which is typically set by convention as consuming 3.5 milliliters of oxygen per kilogram of body weight per minute, or about 1 kilocalorie per kilogram per hour.
Not usually measured in clinical practice, nor is it included in common risk algorithms.
MET values provide a convenient way to compare the intensity of physical activities or exercise modalities by how many times the activity increases energy expenditure over resting.
– 1 MET = Resting, sitting quietly – 4 METs = Walking briskly (about 4 times resting energy) – 10+ METs = Vigorous exercise (like running or playing singles tennis)
Energy expenditure for a given activity, expressed in METs, can be calculated using oxygen consumption rates or caloric output.
METs are widely used in: Exercise stress testing measuring functional capacity Prescribing exercise intensities and evaluating health outcomes
Standard tables assign MET values to hundreds of activities, allowing easy comparisons for physical fitness assessments or calorie tracking.
MET is the resting metabolic rate. Values above 1 MET indicate higher energy expenditure. METs allow standardized evaluation of activity intensity across different individuals and settings.
One MET is equivalent to the energy requirement for basal homeostasis.
Each 1 MET increase in exercise capacity is associated with an 8% to 35%, median 16%, reduction in mortality- comparing favorably with survival benefits of aspirin, statins, Beta-blockers, and ACE inhibitors after acute myocardial infarction (Myers J et al).
Every one MET improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness overtime is associated with the 7%, 22%, and 12% lower risk of hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and hypercholesterolemia, respectively.
Caring for oneself which includes eating, dressing and using the toilet is equivalent to 1 MET.
Walking up a flight of steps or a hill is equivalent to 4- METs.
Doing heavy work around the house such as scrubbing floors,moving furniture is equivalent to 4-10 METs.
Participating in strenuous sports is equivalent to greater than 10 METs.
Walking at 2 mph equivalent to 2 METs.
Completion of stage II of Bruce treadmill exercise test equivalent to 6-7 METs.
Fourth stage of Bruce treadmill exercise test equivalent to 13 METs.
Sexual activity equivalent to 2-3 METs in the preorgasmic phase and 3-4 METs during the orgasmic phase.
1MET is equivalent to the resting metabolic rate with the energy expenditure while awake and sitting quietly
Moderate intensity activities have MET value of 3-5.9 METS, vigorous intensity activities have a value of six or greater.
The majority of the benefits from exercise are achieved with around 3500 metabolic equivalent (MET) minutes per week.
For example, climbing stairs 10 minutes, vacuuming 15 minutes, gardening 20 minutes, running 20 minutes, and walking or bicycling for 25 minutes on a daily basis would together achieve about 3000 MET minutes a week.