Met - Metabolic Rate
The Met is often used as a measuring unit of human heat production
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The metabolic rate, or human heat production, is often measured in the unit "Met". The metabolic rate of a relaxed seated person is one (1) Met, where
1 Met = 58 W/m2
The mean surface area, the Du-Bois area, of the human body is approximately 1.8 m2. The total metabolic heat for a mean body can be calculated by multiplying with the area. The total heat from a relaxed seated person with mean surface area would be
58 W/m2 x 1.8 m2 = 104 W
Metabolic rates for some common activities:
| Activity | W/m2 | Met |
| Reclining | 46 | 0.8 |
| Seated relaxed | 58 | 1.0 |
| Standing relaxed | 70 | 1.2 |
| Sedentary activity (office, dwelling, school, laboratory) |
70 | 1.2 |
| Car driving | 80 | 1.4 |
| Graphic profession - Book Binder | 85 | 1.5 |
| Standing, light activity (shopping, laboratory, light industry) | 93 | 1.6 |
| Teacher | 95 | 1.6 |
| Domestic work -shaving, washing and dressing | 100 | 1.7 |
| Walking on the level, 2 km/h | 110 | 1.9 |
| Standing, medium activity (shop assistant, domestic work) |
116 | 2.0 |
| Building industry - Brick laying (Block of 15.3 kg) | 125 | 2.2 |
| Washing dishes standing | 145 | 2.5 |
| Domestic work - raking leaves on the lawn | 170 | 2.9 |
| Domestic work - washing by hand and ironing (120-220 W) | 170 | 2.9 |
| Iron and steel - ramming the mould with a pneumatic hammer |
175 | 3.0 |
| Building industry -forming the mould | 180 | 3.1 |
| Walking on the level, 5 km/h | 200 | 3.4 |
| Forestry -cutting across the grain with a one-man power saw |
205 | 3.5 |
| Volleyball | 232 | 4.0 |
| Calisthenics | 261 | 4.5 |
| Building industry - loading a wheelbarrow with stones and mortar | 275 | 4.7 |
| Bicycling Golf Softball |
290 | 5.0 |
| Gymnastics | 319 | 5.5 |
| Aerobic Dancing Basketball Swimming |
348 | 6.0 |
| Sports - Ice skating, 18 km/h | 360 | 6.2 |
| Agriculture - digging with a spade (24 lifts/min.) | 380 | 6.5 |
| Skiing on level, good snow, 9 km/h Backpacking Skating ice or roller Tennis |
405 | 7.0 |
| Handball Hockey Racquetball Cross County Skiing Soccer |
464 | 8.0 |
| Running 12 min/mile Forestry - working with an axe (weight 2 kg. 33 blows/min.) |
500 | 8.5 |
| Sports - Running in 15 km/h | 550 | 9.5 |
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