Appendix C - METs Explanation and Formulas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

METs

 

 

As stated earlier, the MET is a unit of exercise measurement that

 

 

Explanation

 

 

takes into account body weight. Since energy expenditure in a

 

and

 

 

weight-bearing exercise such as running, walking, or stairclimbing is

Formulas

 

 

directly proportional to body weight, the formulas to calculate METs

 

 

 

 

are a bit simpler than for, say, an exercise bike. For example, 7 mph

 

 

 

 

running is always 11.7 METs, no matter who you are.

 

 

 

 

A MET is defined as 3.5 ml/min/kg of oxygen usage by the body,

 

 

 

 

where:

 

 

 

 

ml is milliliters, the actual measured volume of gaseous oxygen

 

 

 

 

min is minutes

 

 

 

 

kg is bodyweight in kilograms

 

 

 

 

This energy consumption rate corresponds to about 72 calories per

 

 

 

 

hour for a 150-pound person, which approximates the average basal

 

 

 

 

metabolic rate of the general population.

 

 

 

 

The best formulas for treadmill energy expenditure also use oxygen

 

 

 

 

usage by the body, or VO2. The two formulas are:

 

 

 

 

walking VO2 = (2.68 * speed) + (0.48 * speed * incline) + 3.5

 

 

 

 

running VO2 = (5.36 * speed) + (0.24 * speed * incline) + 3.5

 

 

 

 

To get METs, divide the result by 3.5.

 

 

 

 

(Noted exercise physiologist David Costill's speed constants for

 

 

 

 

walking and running are 3.06 and 4.86, respectively.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Z 8 a n d Z 9 S e r i e s Tr e a d m i l l O w n e r ' s G u i d e

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True Fitness Z9, Z8 manual METs