What are metabolic equivalents?

Metabolic equivalents (METs) are a unit of measurement used to estimate the energy expenditure of physical activities relative to resting metabolic rate. One MET is defined as the energy cost of sitting quietly, which is approximately 3.5 mL of oxygen consumed per kilogram of body weight per minute. Activities are categorized by their MET values; for example, walking briskly may require about 3-4 METs, while running could range from 8 to 15 METs or more, depending on intensity. This metric helps individuals assess the intensity of their workouts and compare different physical activities.