1. What is Bruce's METs Equation?

Bruce's METs equation estimates metabolic equivalents (METs) from treadmill speed and grade. It provides a standardized way to quantify exercise intensity and energy expenditure during treadmill testing.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses Bruce's METs equation:

Where:

• \( speed \) — Treadmill speed in miles per hour (mph)
• \( grade \) — Treadmill grade as a decimal (e.g., 0.05 for 5% grade)
• 3.5 — Resting metabolic rate in METs

Explanation: The equation accounts for both horizontal and vertical components of treadmill work, plus resting metabolism.

3. Importance of METs Calculation

Details: METs are crucial for assessing exercise intensity, prescribing exercise programs, and evaluating functional capacity in clinical and research settings.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter speed in mph and grade as a decimal. For example, for 3.4 mph at 10% grade, enter 3.4 and 0.10 respectively.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a MET?
A: One MET is the energy expenditure at rest (3.5 ml O₂/kg/min). Exercise METs are multiples of resting metabolism.

Q2: What are typical MET values for exercise?
A: Light activity: 1.6-2.9 METs; Moderate: 3-5.9 METs; Vigorous: ≥6 METs. Maximal values vary by fitness level.

Q3: How accurate is this equation?
A: It provides reasonable estimates for standard treadmill protocols but may vary slightly from measured energy expenditure.

Q4: Can this be used for other exercise modes?
A: No, this equation is specific to treadmill walking/running. Other activities require different equations.

Q5: What's the relationship between METs and calories?
A: Calories/min ≈ METs × 3.5 × body weight (kg) ÷ 200. For example, 5 METs for 70kg person ≈ 6.1 kcal/min.