Unit of measurement of heat production by the body; 1 MET = 50kcal/hour/m2 body surface area.
A unit that represents the metabolic equivalent in multiples of the resting rate of oxygen consumption of any given activity.
The standard metabolic equivalent, or MET, level. This unit is used to estimate the amount of oxygen used by the body during physical activity. 1 MET = the energy (oxygen) used by the body as a person sits quietly, perhaps while talking on the phone or reading a book. The harder a person’s body works during the activity, the higher the MET. Any activity that burns 3 to 6 METs is considered moderate-intensity physical activity. Any activity that burns > 6 METs is considered vigorous-intensity physical activity.
A unit used to estimate the metabolic cost of physical activity. One MET equals the uptake of 3.5 ml of oxygen per kilogram of body weight per minute.
The quantification of oxygen utilization by an organism during activity compared to its metabolic rate at rest is referred to as METs or metabolic equivalents. Resting oxygen consumption, which is roughly 3.5 ml per kilogram of body weight per minute, serves as the reference point for one MET.