Metabolic Equivalent (MET)

METABOLIC EQUIVALENT (MET)

The Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) is a unit used to express the energy cost of physical activities. One MET is defined as the amount of oxygen consumed while sitting at rest, equivalent to approximately 3.5 mL of oxygen per kilogram of body weight per minute, or 1 kcal per kilogram per hour.

Activities with higher MET values burn more calories per unit of time. Cycling MET values vary significantly depending on intensity:

• Leisurely cycling (less than 16 km/h): ~4 MET
• Moderate cycling (16-19 km/h): ~6 MET
• Vigorous cycling (20-22 km/h): ~8 MET
• Racing / fast cycling (>32 km/h): ~14-16 MET

To estimate calories burned: Calories per hour = MET x weight in kg. For example, a 70 kg person cycling at a moderate pace (6 MET) burns approximately 420 kcal per hour.