About

Quantifying energy expenditure during physical activity is a complex variable in exercise physiology. This calculator employs the Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) standardized system. One MET is defined as the energy cost of sitting quietly, which is approximately 1 kcal/kg/hour or 3.5 ml of oxygen uptake per kilogram per minute. By assigning specific MET codes to various human activities - from sleeping to sprinting - we can extrapolate the total caloric burn based on an individual's body mass and duration of effort. This method is preferred by health professionals for its consistency across different demographics, although it does not account for individual metabolic efficiency or environmental factors.

Formulas

The core calculation assumes a linear relationship between mass, time, and intensity.

E = MET × W × t

Where E is energy (kcal), W is weight (kg), and t is time (hours). Note that the coefficient 1 is implicit as 1 MET = 1 kcal/kg/hr.

Reference Data

Activity	MET Value	Calories/Hr (70kg person)
Sleeping	0.95	66
Desk Work (Typing)	1.5	105
Walking (Moderate)	3.5	245
Weight Lifting	6.0	420
Swimming (Laps)	8.0	560
Running (10 km/h)	9.8	686

Frequently Asked Questions

No. The MET method is a statistical average based on the activity type, not your biological response. A heart rate monitor would provide a more personalized estimate based on cardiovascular strain, whereas METs provide a standardized estimate based on mechanical work.

Physics dictates that moving a larger mass requires more energy. A 100kg person burns significantly more calories running a mile than a 50kg person because the work done (Force x Distance) is greater.

The standard MET compendium is derived from adult subjects. Children have higher basal metabolic rates per unit of surface area, so this calculator may underestimate their caloric burn.

This calculator measures calories burned *during* the activity. It does not calculate EPOC (Excess Post-exercise Oxygen Consumption), which occurs after high-intensity interval training (HIIT).