1. What is the Calories Burned Equation?

The calories burned equation estimates energy expenditure during physical activity based on duration, intensity (MET value), and body weight. It provides a standardized way to calculate calories burned during various activities including biking.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the calories burned equation:

Where:

• \( T \) — Time spent biking in hours
• \( MET \) — Metabolic equivalent of task (intensity level)
• \( W \) — Body weight in kilograms

Explanation: The equation converts hours to minutes (×60), incorporates the oxygen cost of activity (MET × 3.5), and scales with body weight.

3. Importance of Calories Calculation

Details: Accurate calorie estimation helps with weight management, exercise planning, and understanding energy expenditure during physical activities.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter time in hours, select appropriate MET value for your biking intensity, and weight in kg. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are typical MET values for biking?
A: Light cycling (leisure) ~4 MET, moderate cycling ~6-8 MET, vigorous cycling ~10-12 MET, racing >12 MET.

Q2: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It provides a reasonable estimate but individual variations in metabolism can cause ±20% differences.

Q3: Should I use actual or ideal body weight?
A: For weight loss purposes, use current weight. The calculation naturally accounts for higher energy needs of larger bodies.

Q4: Does this include basal metabolic rate?
A: No, this calculates only the additional calories burned during activity above resting levels.

Q5: How does biking compare to other exercises?
A: Biking is generally more efficient than running (higher MET values for running), but less impactful on joints.