Language
Country/Area
No result found
The mysterious number of METs: Why is 3.5 ml of oxygen the benchmark?
In the sports science community, MET (metabolic equivalent) is widely used to assess the energy expenditure level of different activities. The core of this standard is that 3.5 ml of oxygen is consumed per kilogram of body weight per minute when sitting quietly. This number not only represents a person's basal metabolic rate, but is also an influential reference value in the field of fitness.
MET is an energy expenditure indicator based on a resting state.
MET values can help people understand their energy expenditure when doing various activities. It is not only suitable for sports, such as running and swimming, but can also be applied to daily household activities such as cleaning and cooking. The use of METs allows us to quantify physical activity in daily life and deepen our understanding of health.
History and calculation of MET
The concept of MET was first developed in an experiment on a healthy 40-year-old man weighing 70 kg, and the data resulting from his quiet oxygen consumption was measured. Based on this benchmark, MET is actually the result of comparing oxygen consumption to the value in a resting state.
The MET value of an activity can help determine how much energy is required compared to a sedentary activity.
For example, if an activity has a MET value of 2, it means that the energy demand for this activity is twice that of sitting still. This makes tracking exercise intensity and energy expenditure much simpler and more feasible for the average person.
Application of MET in fitness and medicine
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has specific guidelines for METs that can be used to standardize the amount of physical activity that healthy adults should perform. For example, they recommend that healthy adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise.
MET values can not only guide individual fitness plans, but can also be used for public health guidance.
Studies have shown that increasing the MET value of physical activity can effectively reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Therefore, MET plays a vital role in health inquiries and fitness classes.
Limitations and Challenges of MET
Although MET is a useful tool, it has several limitations in its definition and calculation. Since each person's resting metabolic rate (RMR) is affected by many factors, such as age, gender, and body size, actual energy expenditure may differ from the MET value.
The specific value of MET is not applicable to everyone and should be adjusted according to the individual's physiological condition.
According to some studies, the MET standard may underestimate or overestimate the actual energy expenditure, which means that for different human bodies, using MET values as the only indicator of fitness should be cautious.
Future Directions
With the development of fitness technology, more and more sports trackers are beginning to integrate MET calculation functions, which will make it more convenient to measure and track exercise effects. However, should we adjust the use of METs to better suit modern lifestyles?
As we learn more about human metabolism, we may see changes to the MET standard, and even more personalized ways of calculating energy expenditure. Therefore, in this context, should the standardization of MET be reflected and adjusted according to individual health conditions?
