Compendium of Physical Activities: an update of activity codes and MET intensities

We provide an updated version of the Compendium of Physical Activities, a c oding scheme that classifies specific physical activity (PA) by rate of ene rgy expenditure. It was developed to enhance the comparability of results a cross studies using self-reports of PA. The Compendium coding scheme links a five-digit code that describes physical activities by major headings (e.g ., occupation, transportation, etc.) and specific activities within each ma jor heading with its intensity, defined as the ratio of work metabolic rate to a standard resting metabolic rate (MET). Energy expenditure in MET-minu tes, MET-hours, kcal, or kcal per kilogram body weight can be estimated for specific activities by type or MET intensity. Additions to the Compendium were obtained from studies describing daily PA patterns of adults and studi es measuring the energy cost of specific physical activities in field setti ngs. The updated version includes two new major headings of volunteer and r eligious activities, extends the number of specific activities from 477 to 605, and provides updated MET intensity levels for selected activities.