Table 5.2.

Classification of physical activity intensity and examples of levels of absolute and relative intensity⁹

Classification	Absolute intensity		Relative intensity
Intensity	MET	Examples	% HRmax	Talk test
Light	1.1 - 2.9	Cycling (< 4.7 km/h), light domestic chores.	50 - 63
Moderate	3.0 - 5.9	Fast walking (4.8-6.5 km/h), slow-cycling (15 km/h), decorating, vacuuming, gardening, golf, tennis (in pairs), ballroom dancing, water aerobics.	64 - 76	Breathing is faster but compatible with complete sentences.
Vigorous	≥ 6.0	Running, cycling (> 15 km/h), heavy gardening, swimming, tennis.	77 - 93	Breathing is heavier, incompatible with a comfortable conversation.

Metabolic equivalent (MET) is the energy expenditure of an activity divided by the resting energy expenditure: 1 MET = 3.5 mL O₂ kg^-1 min^-1 oxygen consumption (VO₂). HR: heart rate; % HRmax: percentage of the maximum heart rate measured or estimated (220-age). Adapted from the 2016 European Guidelines On Cardiovascular Disease Prevention In Clinical Practice.⁹