How it is calculated
Metabolic power = C(ES) × EM × speed
- ES, the equivalent slope, is acceleration divided by gravity (9.80665 m/s²). Speeding up is treated like running uphill.
- EM, the equivalent mass, is √(1 + ES²).
- C(ES) is the energy cost of running on that slope, from Minetti's polynomial, and is never less than zero.
The app calculates metabolic power at every sample. It drives high metabolic load distance, high-intensity events and energy expenditure.
How to read it
Metabolic power puts accelerating and fast running on one scale, so a session of short sharp efforts and a session of steady running can be compared.
Keep in mind
The model was validated for straight-line running on flat ground. It may underestimate the cost of changes of direction, and does not account for altitude, surface or wind.
References
- Osgnach C, Poser S, Bernardini R, Rinaldo R, di Prampero PE (2010). Energy cost and metabolic power in elite soccer: a new match analysis approach. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 42(1), 170–178.
- Minetti AE, Moia C, Roi GS, Susta D, Ferretti G (2002). Energy cost of walking and running at extreme uphill and downhill slopes. Journal of Applied Physiology, 93(3), 1039–1046.