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's commonly used in fitness tracking applications like My Fitness Pal.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following equation:

Where:

• \( Time \) — Duration of activity in hours
• \( MET \) — Metabolic Equivalent of Task (activity intensity)
• \( Weight \) — Body weight in kilograms

Explanation: The equation accounts for how long, how intense, and how much you weigh to estimate calories burned during bicycling.

3. Importance of MET Values

Details: MET values represent the intensity of physical activities. For bicycling, MET values typically range from 4-16 depending on speed and effort level.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter time in hours (can be decimal for minutes), appropriate MET value for your cycling intensity, and your weight in kg. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are typical MET values for bicycling?
A: Leisure cycling (~10 mph): 4-6 MET, moderate effort (~12-14 mph): 6-8 MET, vigorous effort (>14 mph): 8-14 MET.

Q2: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It provides a reasonable estimate but individual factors like fitness level, terrain, and wind can affect actual calories burned.

Q3: Should I use my current weight or goal weight?
A: Always use your current weight for most accurate calculations.

Q4: Can I use this for other activities?
A: Yes, with appropriate MET values. Different activities have different MET values.

Q5: Why divide by 200 in the formula?
A: This converts the result to kilocalories (kcal) from the standard MET formula which uses calories.