MET to Oxygen Uptake
Oxygen consumption from a MET activity level.
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Example
10 MET run ⇒ 35 mL/kg/min
How it works
METs are a shorthand for exercise intensity based on resting metabolic rate. By definition, 1 MET is the oxygen cost of quiet resting metabolism, which is taken as about 3.5 mL of oxygen per kilogram of body mass per minute. So multiplying MET by 3.5 converts an activity rating into an estimated oxygen uptake, VO2, in the same per-kilogram-per-minute units.
When to use it
Use this when you need a quick estimate of how much oxygen a person is using during an activity, such as in exercise science, fitness testing, or workout planning. It is especially useful for converting activity charts or MET values into a physiological intensity measure.
Worked example, step by step
A cycling workout is rated at 8 MET. VO_2 = 3.5 × MET VO_2 = 3.5 × 8 VO_2 = 28 Final answer: 28 mL O2 per kg per min
Common mistakes to avoid
- Forgetting that the result is per kilogram of body mass per minute
- Using METs as if they were already oxygen units instead of a relative intensity scale
- Mixing up 3.5 mL/kg/min as an exact universal constant rather than a standard estimate
Did You Know?
One MET is your resting oxygen use, about 3.5 mL of oxygen per kilogram of body weight every minute.
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