The modified obstetric metabolic equivalent (MET): finding a MET that fits in pregnancy

Abstract

The Compendium of Physical Activities (CPA) provides the energy expenditure (EE) for hundreds of daily activities reported in metabolic equivalents (MET). It remains to be determined if the metabolic changes of pregnancy alter the use of the CPA MET (METCPA) in this population. The energy cost of rest, activities of daily living (ADL; typing, folding laundry and sweeping) and treadmill walking [2.0, 2.5, 3.0 mph (0% incline), 3.0 mph (3% incline)] were compared with the METCPA from the 2000 and 2011 CPA in 30 pregnant women (10-14 weeks gestation) using indirect calorimetry (IC). The METCPA for each activity was compared against two measured IC values: METabsolute (3.5 ml O2/kg/min) and METratio (EEactivity/EErest). Means for both comparisons were tested by one-sample t-test. Measured MET correlated with the 2011 METCPA: METabsolute v. METCPA R 2 = 0.906, P < 0.0001; METratio v. METCPA R 2 = 0.861, P < 0.0001. Differences between measured MET values and the 2011 METCPA ranged from 16% underestimation to 48% overestimation. Using the absolute definition, the METCPA significantly overestimated the ADL (P < 0.0005); yet, no significant differences were found between walking at 0% grade and METCPA. Conversely, only folding laundry was significantly different with the ratio definition, whereas walking at a level grade was significantly underestimated (P < 0.0001). Similar observations were found using the 2000 CPA. The use of the METCPA to estimate EE in pregnant women can result in significant over- or underestimation, depending on the activity and the definition of the MET that is used.

Physical Activity Patterns in Normal-Weight and Overweight/Obese Pregnant Women

“…Total physical activity (TPA) is then calculated as the sum of WPA and FSPA. Standard Reference Tables were used for estimating intensity of PA in Metabolic equivalents (METs) [18], and total PA volume, expressed in METs · hours per week, was then calculated, as the sum of the METs spent in each activities.…”

Does Pregnancy Affect the Metabolic Equivalent at Rest and During Low Intensity Exercise?

“…This study will expand previous data from Campbell et al 21 by extending measures of energy expenditure into the second trimester of pregnancy. The aim of this study was to measure the MET between 20 and 27 weeks gestation under four conditions: (1) sitting, (2) lying, (3) walking and (4) cycling and to compare this with non-pregnant women.…”

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity and sedentary behavior during pregnancy: a prospective study

“…The number of minutes spent in each reported activity was multiplied by its metabolic equivalent of task (MET) level to estimate average weekly MET-hours/week. MET intensity scores were based on the 2011 Compendium of Physical Activities [ 26 ] except for walking and light housework activities for which field-based measures among pregnant women [ 27 , 28 ] were used. Activities were classified by PA type (e.g., sports/exercise, household/caregiving, occupational, and transportation), and PA intensity (e.g., vigorous, moderate, light, and sedentary).…”