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metabolic equivalent unit (MET)
A resting metabolic unit, the equivalent of 1.2 calories per minute or 3.5-4.0 mL/kg/min; 1 MET equals the amount of energy expended at rest.
- Estimated energy requirements for various activities:
- 1 MET:
- able to take care of self
- eat, dress & use the toliet
- walk indoors around the house
- walk a block or 2 on level ground at 2-3 mph (3.2-4.8 km/h)
- 4 METS
- climb 2 flights of stairs without resting
- climbing 2 flights of stairs is equivalent to 4-5 METS [2]
- walk up a hill
- run a short distance
- do heavy work around the house, i.e. scrubbing floors or moving heavy furniture
- recreational activities such as golf, bowling, dancing, double tennis, or throwing a baseball or football
- 8 METS
- carrying an infant up a flight of stairs [3]
- > 10 METS
- strenous sports, i.e. swimming, singles tennis, football, basketball or skiing
References
- Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 11,
American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 1998
- Geriatric Review Syllabus, 11th edition (GRS11)
Harper GM, Lyons WL, Potter JF (eds)
American Geriatrics Society, 2022
- NEJM Knowledge+