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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.
• Teachers may use the compendium or portions thereof for educational purposes with their students.
• Please do not change MET values or combine activities with different MET levels.
• Please cite the Compendium website or publication(s). 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. 
• Language Translations: Translated versions of the 2024 and 2011 Compendia are available here: https://pacompendium.com/translations/

Definition of Terms used in the Adult Compendium

MET (Metabolic Equivalent): The ratio of the work metabolic rate to the resting metabolic rate. One MET is defined as 1 kcal/kg/hour and is roughly equivalent to the energy cost of sitting quietly. A MET also is defined as oxygen uptake in ml/kg/min with one MET equal to the oxygen cost of sitting quietly, equivalent to 3.5 ml/kg/min.

5-Digit Code: Adult Compendium activities are classified by a 5-digit code that identifies the category (heading) as the first 2 digits and type (description) of activity as the last three digits.

Example:

Code    Major Heading   Specific Activity Description

17190    17 – Walking      190 – Walking, 2.8 to 3.4 mph, level, moderate pace, firm surface< 10 mph, bicycling to work or for pleasure (Taylor code 115)

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.