ANSWERS: 1
  • Many physicians prescribe exercise for many of their clients for various reasons. Based on their fitness level or medical condition, patients are asked to maintain or reach a certain exercise intensity. Metabolic equivalents, or metabolic equivalents of task (MET), is a prescribed level used to gauge or monitor intensity. MET levels of activity are compared to caloric expenditure while the body is at rest.

    METs Formula

    3.5 ml/kg-1/min-1 is the formula for determining oxygen consumption. This is considered the amount of oxygen that the body needs to function when at rest.

    Function

    On a treadmill, any given MET level is indicative of how much harder the body is working than it normally works at rest. For instance, a person working at MET level five is forcing the body to work five times harder than it works at rest.

    Accuracy

    A true determination of exercise intensity based on METs must be performed by a physician, or by a personal trainer with a physician present. The maximal MET level possible for an individual must be determined via a maximal graded exercise test, which determines maximum oxygen uptake. Without this, it is impossible to assign a true percentage of METs.

    Average levels

    In normal, healthy people, peak METs generally range from 10 to 22.9. With respect to the formula, that is approximately 35 to 80 ml/kg-1/min-1. Factors include physiological parameters such as age and fitness level.

    Examples

    Sitting or laying quietly, watching a movie, or listening to music has a 1.0 MET level. The following are estimated MET levels for walking on a treadmill, all on level surfaces: Less than 2 mph has a 2.0 MET level 2.5 mph has a 3.0 MET level 4 mph pace has a 5.0 MET level All of these levels suggest how much harder your body is working than it does when at rest.

    Source:

    "NSCA's Essentials of Personal Training," Roger Earle and Thomas Baechle; 2004

    "Exercise Testing and Prescription," D.C. Nieman; 2003.

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