Using Metabolic Equivalents in Clinical Practice

Metabolic equivalents, or METs, are routinely employed as a guide to exercise training and activity prescription and to categorize cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). There are, however, inherent limitations to the concept, as well as common misapplications. CRF and the patient's capacity for physical activity are often overestimated and underestimated, respectively. Moreover, frequently cited fitness thresholds associated with the highest and lowest mortality rates may be misleading, as these are influenced by several factors, including age and gender. The conventional assumption that 1 MET = 3.5 mL O2/kg/min has been challenged in numerous studies that indicate a significant overestimation of actual resting energy expenditure in some populations, including coronary patients, the morbidly obese, and individuals taking β-blockers. These data have implications for classifying relative energy expenditure at submaximal and peak exercise. Heart rate may be used to approximate activity METs, resulting in a promising new fitness metric termed the “personal activity intelligence” or PAI score. Despite some limitations, the MET concept provides a useful method to quantitate CRF and define a repertoire of physical activities that are likely to be safe and therapeutic. In conclusion, for previously inactive adults, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, which corresponds to ≥3 METs, may increase MET capacity and decrease the risk of future cardiac events.