Met - Human Metabolic Rates
The metabolic rate, or human body heat or power 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 (356 Btu/hr)
The mean surface area, the Du-Bois area, of the human body is approximately 1.8 m2 (19.4 ft2). 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 (356 Btu/hr)
Typical metabolic rates for some common activities are indicated in the table below:
| Activity | Met - Metabolic Rate | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W/m2 | W1) | Btu/hr1) | Met Units | |
| Reclining, Sleeping | 46 | 83 | 282 | 0.8 |
| Seated relaxed | 58 | 104 | 356 | 1.0 |
| Standing at rest | 70 | 126 | 430 | 1.2 |
| Sedentary activity (office, dwelling, school, laboratory) | 70 | 126 | 430 | 1.2 |
| Car driving | 80 | 144 | 491 | 1.4 |
| Graphic profession - Book Binder | 85 | 153 | 522 | 1.5 |
| Standing, light activity (shopping, laboratory, light industry) | 93 | 167 | 571 | 1.6 |
| Teacher | 95 | 171 | 583 | 1.6 |
| Domestic work -shaving, washing and dressing | 100 | 180 | 614 | 1.7 |
| Walking on the level, 2 km/h | 110 | 198 | 675 | 1.9 |
| Standing, medium activity (shop assistant, domestic work) | 116 | 209 | 712 | 2.0 |
| Building industry - Brick laying (Block of 15.3 kg) | 125 | 225 | 768 | 2.2 |
| Washing dishes standing | 145 | 261 | 890 | 2.5 |
| Domestic work - raking leaves on the lawn | 170 | 306 | 1043 | 2.9 |
| Domestic work - washing by hand and ironing (120-220 W) | 170 | 306 | 1043 | 2.9 |
| Iron and steel - ramming the mold with a pneumatic hammer | 175 | 315 | 1075 | 3.0 |
| Building industry - forming the mold | 180 | 324 | 1105 | 3.1 |
| Walking on the level, 5 km/h | 200 | 360 | 1228 | 3.4 |
| Forestry - cutting across the grain with a one-man power saw | 205 | 369 | 1259 | 3.5 |
| Volleyball, Bicycling (15 km/h) | 232 | 418 | 1424 | 4.0 |
| Calisthenics | 261 | 470 | 1602 | 4.5 |
| Building industry - loading a wheelbarrow with stones and mortar | 275 | 495 | 1688 | 4.7 |
| Golf, Softball | 290 | 522 | 1780 | 5.0 |
| Gymnastics | 319 | 574 | 1959 | 5.5 |
| Aerobic Dancing, Swimming | 348 | 624 | 2137 | 6.0 |
| Sports - Ice skating, 18 km/h, Bicycling (20 km/h) | 360 | 648 | 2210 | 6.2 |
| Agriculture - digging with a spade (24 lifts/min.) | 380 | 674 | 2333 | 6.5 |
| Skiing on level (good snow, 9 km/h), Backpacking, Skating ice or roller, Basketball, Tennis | 405 | 729 | 2487 | 7.0 |
| Handball, Hockey, Racquetball, Cross County Skiing, Soccer | 464 | 835 | 2848 | 8.0 |
| Running 12 min/mile, Forestry - working with an axe (weight 2 kg. 33 blows/min.) | 500 | 900 | 3070 | 8.5 |
| Sports - Running in 15 km/h | 550 | 990 | 3377 | 9.5 |
1) 1.8 m2 (19.4 ft2)
The metabolic rates varies from person to person and the intensity of the activity.
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