Physical activity level explained

The physical activity level (PAL) is a way to express a person's daily physical activity as a number and is used to estimate their total energy expenditure.[1] In combination with the basal metabolic rate, it can be used to compute the amount of food energy a person needs to consume to maintain a particular lifestyle.

Definition

The physical activity level is defined for a non-pregnant, non-lactating adult as that person's total energy expenditure (TEE) in a 24-hour period, divided by his or her basal metabolic rate (BMR):[2]

PAL=TEE24h
BMR

The level of physical activity can also be estimated based on a list of the physical activities a person performs from day to day. Each activity is connected to a number, the physical activity ratio. The physical activity level is then the time-weighted average of the physical activity ratios.

Examples

The following table shows indicative numbers for the Physical activity level for several lifestyles:[3]

Lifestyle Example PAL
Extremely inactive Cerebral palsy patient <1.40
Sedentary Office worker getting little or no exercise 1.40-1.69
Moderately active Construction worker or person running one hour daily 1.70-1.99
Vigorously active Agricultural worker (non mechanized) or person swimming two hours daily 2.00-2.40
Extremely active >2.40

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 1994-11-04 . Total Energy Expenditure (TEE) and Physical Activity Levels (PAL) in Adults . 2024-05-23 . getfitup.com . Getifitup.com.
  2. Web site: Human energy requirements: Principles and Definitions . Report of a Joint FAO/WHO/UNU Expert Consultation . . 2004 . 2009-10-15.
  3. Web site: Human energy requirements: Energy Requirement of Adults . Report of a Joint FAO/WHO/UNU Expert Consultation . . 2004.