Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 21, 2026
Improving Strength, Power, Muscle Aerobic Capacity, and Glucose Tolerance through Short-term Progressive Strength Training Among Elderly People
Published on: July 5, 2017
Body Composition and Cardiorespiratory Fitness vs. 1-MET Value in Older Adults: A Factor Analytic Study
Gabriela Venturini1,2, Paulo Farinatti2, Carlos A A Ribeiro2
1Federal Center for Technological Education of Minas Gerais (CEFET-MG), Leopoldina, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Background:
The metabolic equivalent (1-MET) represents the oxygen consumption at rest, reflecting the body's minimal energy needs. Determinants of 1-MET among older adults are yet to be defined. This cross-sectional study examined the association between 1-MET, body size and composition, and cardiorespiratory fitness in older adults using principal component analysis (PCA).
Methods:
Fifty-eight participants aged 60 and above (12 males, 75.4 ± 6.5 years) were assessed for 1-MET and peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) via indirect calorimetry, and body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.
Results:
The average 1-MET value (2.3 mL·kg-1·min-1) was significantly lower than the reference 3.5 mL kg-1·min-1 (p < 0.001). PCA identified two factors accounting for 79.3% of the variance. Factor 1 (51.2% variance) grouped body mass index (BMI), fat mass, and body surface area. Factor 2 (28.1% variance) linked VO2peak and 1-MET. Results showed that 1-MET was more strongly associated with cardiorespiratory fitness than body size or composition.
Conclusions:
Cardiorespiratory fitness seems to be a determinant of the resting metabolic rate in older adults, and lower 1-MET values would be expected in individuals with poorer vs. higher VO2peak.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Factors Influencing Heart Rate
Let us explore the significant factors affecting heart rate, including age, body temperature, posture, acute pain, chemical influences,...
01:24Factors Affecting Respiration
01:20Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...