Talk:Metabolic equivalent

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[edit] Cooper Points

I would be particularly interested to read a discussion of the difference between METs/mile in a eg training run versus 'Cooper Points' for the same activity. See Talk Page for Kenneth H. Cooper. In brief, the higher METs for 6 minute miling over 10 minute miling are nearly compensated for by the reduced time to cover the distance :-). But the Cooper points on a per mile basis differ by nearly a factor of 2 (IIRC) (Numbers - Cooper says 3 miles at 30 to 36 minutes is 11 points, and if done in 20 to 24 minutes that rises to 20 points.

Now the METs for 12 minute miling is 8.5 and for 6 minute miling rises to 16. So per mile, it's nearly a constant...)

[edit] Surrogate formula cpm/kg

Some exercise machines estimate METs based on the formula: cpm/kg. [1] This convenient non-individualized approximation is often used, including in scientific literature. "No work requires only “basal metabolism,” or about 3.5 mL O2/kg/minute, also known as 1 MET." [2] "One MET is defined as the energy it takes to sit quietly. For the average adult, this is about one calorie per every 2.2 pounds of body weight per hour someone who weighs 160 pounds would burn approximately 70 calories an hour while sitting or sleeping." [3]

These simple surrogate formulas are widely used. Please do not censor this information from the article. Please add details about how good or bad this approximation is, how much reality varies by plus or minus for who under what conditions.-69.87.204.9 14:39, 12 July 2007 (UTC)