Compendium of Physical Activities Metabolic Equivalent: A Comprehensive Resource for Quantifying Physical Activity

The Compendium of Physical Activities (CPA) is a widely used reference tool that helps researchers, practitioners, and policymakers quantify physical activity intensity across various settings. The latest update to the CPA, released in 2024, focuses on adults aged 19-59 years, building upon previous versions published in 2000 and 2011.

The CPA was first introduced in 1993 to improve the comparability of energy expenditure values assigned to self-reported physical activity across studies. Since then, it has become a crucial resource for understanding dose-response relationships between physical activity and health outcomes. The updated Compendium continues to adapt to emerging trends, such as the growing interest in active gaming, by adding a new 'Video Games' category.

One of the key features of the 2024 update is the inclusion of age-specific Compendia. This allows for better accounting of differences in resting metabolic rates across the lifespan. The update also focuses on using more measured values rather than estimates, which improves the accuracy of the Compendium. In fact, 82% of activities now have measured MET (metabolic equivalent) values, up from 68% in the previous update.

The 2024 Adult Compendium represents the most comprehensive update yet, with 303 new physical activity codes and 176 existing ones modified based on new measured data. This expanded dataset provides researchers and practitioners with a wider range of options for quantifying physical activity.

In addition to the updated Compendium, a new website has been launched to present the CPA, previous versions, and supporting materials. The website offers easy access to the vast array of physical activities included in the Compendium, making it an indispensable tool for anyone working in the field of physical activity research, public health, or clinical practice.

The 2024 Adult Compendium of Physical Activities is the third update to the original CPA, which was first published in 1993. The current version presents the energy costs of 1114 physical activities, including inactivity, leisure, transportation, sports and conditioning, and in-home and occupational settings.

In conclusion, the updated Compendium of Physical Activities Metabolic Equivalent is an essential resource for anyone working with physical activity data. Its comprehensive coverage of age-specific activities, measured values, and expanded dataset make it a valuable tool for advancing our understanding of the relationship between physical activity and health outcomes.

Compendium of physical activities metabolic equivalent