2024 Compendium of Physical Activities
Published January 17, 2024 in the Journal of Sport and Health Science
About
History
First developed in 1989, the Compendium of Physical Activities was created to provide a standardized way of measuring and classifying physical activities, allowing researchers and health professionals to assess the energy expenditure and health benefits associated with different activities.
2024 Update
The 2024 Adult Compendium Update provides a 3rd update and expansion the compendium (published in 1993, 2000, and 2011) while introducing a new Compendium for Older Adults and an updated Compendium of Wheelchair Activities.
Our Team
Led by Barbara E. Ainsworth, PhD, MPH, our team is comprised of a diverse team of experienced researchers who are passionate about health and wellness. We are committed to providing a comprehensive list of the energy cost of physical activities to support research, physical activity, and health.
History
Briefly, the Compendium of Physical Activities was developed for use in epidemiologic studies to standardize the assignment of MET intensities in physical activity questionnaires. Dr. Bill Haskell from Stanford University conceptualized the Adult Compendium and developed a prototype for the document. The Adult Compendium was used first in the Survey of Activity, Fitness, and Exercise (SAFE study – 1987 to 1989) to code and score physical activity records. Since then, the Compendium has been used in studies worldwide to assign intensity units to physical activity questionnaires and to develop innovative ways to assess energy expenditure in physical activity studies. Version 1 of the Adult Compendium was published in 1993. An updated version was published in 2000, 2011, and 2024. For a more detailed history, please read: A brief history of the Compendium of Physical Activities
References and links for the other publications are below.
Using the Compendium
Researchers may download the compendium for use in their research. The Adult, Older Adult, and Wheelchair Compendia are free to use for commercial purposes. Please don’t change MET values or combine activities with different MET levels. Teachers may use the compendium or portions thereof for educational purposes with their students.
Websites may link to the compendium by linking to this page: https://pacompendium.com/. Those with questions about use of the Compendium for these or other purposes should e-mail our team at: compendiumpa@gmail.com.
2024 Compendium Citations
Ainsworth BE, Herrmann SD, Jacobs Jr. DR, Whitt-Glover MC, Tudor-Locke C. A brief history of the Compendium of Physical Activities. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 2024;13(1): 3-5.
Herrmann SD, Willis EA, Ainsworth BE, Barreira TV, Hastert M, Kracht CL, Schuna Jr. JM, Cai Z, Quan M, Tudor-Locke C, Whitt-Glover MC, Jacobs DR. 2024 Adult Compendium of Physical Activities: A third update of the energy costs of human activities. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 2024;13(1): 6-12.
Willis EA, Herrmann SD, Hastert M, Kracht CL, Barreira TV, Schuna Jr. JM, Cai Z, Quan M, Conger SA, Brown WJ, Ainsworth BE. Older Adult Compendium of Physical Activities: Energy costs of human activities in adults aged 60 and older. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 2024;13(1): 13-17.
Conger SA, Herrmann SD, Willis EA, Nightingale TE, Sherman JR, Ainsworth BE. 2024 Wheelchair Compendium of Physical Activities: An update of activity codes and energy expenditure values. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 2024;13(1): 18-23.
Past Compendium Citations
2011 Compendium
Ainsworth BE, Haskell WL, Herrmann SD, Meckes N, Bassett Jr DR, Tudor-Locke C, Greer JL, Vezina J, Whitt-Glover MC, Leon AS. 2011 Compendium of Physical Activities: a second update of codes and MET values. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 2011;43(8):1575-1581.
2000 Compendium
Ainsworth BE, Haskell WL, Whitt MC, Irwin ML, Swartz AM, Strath SJ, O’Brien WL, Bassett DR Jr, Schmitz KH, Emplaincourt PO, Jacobs DR Jr, Leon AS. Compendium of Physical Activities: An update of activity codes and MET intensities. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 2000;32 (Suppl):S498-S516.
1993 Compendium
Ainsworth BE, Haskell WL, Leon AS, Jacobs DR Jr, Montoye HJ, Sallis JF, Paffenbarger RS Jr. Compendium of physical activities: Classification of energy costs of human physical activities. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 1993;25:71-80.
To request a copy of the compendium in Excel format, please email us or complete the form below.
Compendium of Physical Activities 