Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Mediterranean diet?

The Mediterranean diet is based around a diet mainly consisting of fruit and vegetables, wholegrain products, low-fat dairy, pulses and nuts. Olive oil is the main source of fat. Fish and poultry are consumed in low to moderate amounts. The diet is low in red meat and meat products, eggs, and sweets. The diet is also characterised by a moderate consumption of wine, which usually accompanies meals.
Why do you recommend the Mediterranean diet over other diets?

Extensive research has shown that the Mediterranean diet is associated in particular with a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease and may also be protective against cancer. Adherence to this diet has also been associated with lower Body Mass Index values, indicating that adherence to this diet may help individuals to maintain a healthy body weight.

Using the Nuffield HealthScore™ Tracker App

How do I know if my phone has GPS?

Using the Nuffield HealthScore™ Tracker App

Whether using an iPhone or Android device please refer to the manufacturer guide as to whether your phone model has GPS functionality.
Will the tracker app still run if I turn off my screen by locking my phone?

Using the Nuffield HealthScore™ Tracker App

The HealthScore tracker app will still continue to track your activity if you lock your phone.
What happens if I receive a call or text while tracking my exercise activity?

Using the Nuffield HealthScore™ Tracker App

With both iPhone and android phones you can accept the call and the tracker app will continue running.
What is the purpose of the tracker app?

Using the Nuffield HealthScore™ Tracker App

The tracker app is designed to make tracking your exercise activity easier. Instead of entering your exercise as a manual entry you can track your activity while you are doing it and then automatically upload the activity to Nuffield HealthScore™.
On which smartphone is the Nuffield HealthScore™ tracker app now available?

Using the Nuffield HealthScore™ Tracker App

The HealthScore tracker is now available for download on the following devices:

• iPhone (iOS)
• Devices that run on Android OS

The HealthScore tracker app is currently under development for Blackberry and as soon as it becomes available for download we will let you know.
Do I need to have an iTunes Account to download the Nuffield HealthScore™ tracker app on my iPhone / iPad?

Using the Nuffield HealthScore™ Tracker App

If you would like to download the HealthScore tracker app for your iPhone / iPad you will need to have an iTunes account.

You can create an account by downloading iTunes to your personal computer.

You can also join iTunes on your iPhone or iPad by using the App Store icon and following the easy registration prompts.
Do I need to have a Google Play Account to download the Nuffield HealthScore™ tracker app?

Using the Nuffield HealthScore™ Tracker App

Yes, but if you already have a Gmail e-mail account you will by default have access to the Google Play Store.

Alternatively please visit www.play.google.com where you will be able to create an account using your existing e-mail address. Please follow the easy registration prompts given.
How much does the Nuffield HealthScore™ tracker app cost?

Using the Nuffield HealthScore™ Tracker App

The Nuffield HealthScore™ tracker app is free.
How do I remove the Nuffield HealthScore™ tracker app from my phone?

Using the Nuffield HealthScore™ Tracker App

Depending on your device please follow the normal applications removal process. Should you encounter any difficulty please refer to the manufacturer's handbook for instructions.
How can I register and get a free account on Nuffield HealthScore™?

Using the Nuffield HealthScore™ Tracker App

To register go to www.nuffieldhealthscore.com and complete the registration form by selecting "Register Now" to receive a free 60 day trial.
What can I do with my Nuffield HealthScore™ tracker app?

Using the Nuffield HealthScore™ Tracker App

The HealthScore tracker app does not replace the NuffieldHealthScore.com platform but complements it and allows you to accurately record your outdoor (GPS enabled) and indoor activities and gives you real-time access to your personal HealthScore.
How can I select and start tracking a new fitness activity?

Using the Nuffield HealthScore™ Tracker App

Press ‘New’ and choose the new fitness activity you want to track from the list activities. Fitness activities that are tracked by the GPS system on your smart phone are highlighted with a compass icon. Activity categories such as fitness classes, martial arts or indoor cardio machines are highlighted with an arrow to indicate that you can select a specific activity from a drop down list, for example: Fitness classes → Zumba.

If you have selected a GPS tracked fitness activity (highlighted with a compass icon), wait a few seconds until the smart phone obtains a GPS signal. In most smart phones the phone will vibrate to confirm it has a GPS signal. If the GPS signal is low then the tracker will not be able to accurately track your activity.

Press ‘Start’ to begin automatically tracking your activity. You can easily ‘Pause’ (and then ‘Resume’) your workout by pressing the Nuffield shield icon. When you have finished your workout, press ‘Stop’. This is important as the ‘Stop’ button also stops the tracker from using your GPS. This helps preserve your smartphone's battery power.

If you selected a non-GPS tracked activity, simply press ‘Start’ after choosing your activity to begin tracking and follow the remaining instructions above.
How can I delete a tracked fitness activity?

Using the Nuffield HealthScore™ Tracker App

For iPhone users you can delete your tracked fitness activity in two ways. You can either press ‘Edit’ then select the activity you want to delete by pressing the minus icon on the left, then press ‘Delete’ to erase it. You can also delete by swiping across the activity and then selecting ‘Delete’.

For Android users you can delete by clicking and holding down on the activity that you wish to delete. A pop up window will appear which will give you the option to ‘Delete’ your activity.
How can I connect my external heart rate monitor to the tracker app?

Using the Nuffield HealthScore™ Tracker App

Press ‘Settings’, then press ‘Heart Rate Monitor’ to see a list of the heart rate monitors that you can connect with. The type of heart rate monitors that you can connect with will be determined by the make and model of your smartphone. For more information please refer to the ‘Compatible Devices’ section on the ‘Help’ page of our website.

When the heart rate monitor is working, a heart icon will pulse at the top of the screen when workouts are displayed. Your heart rate is defined in beats per minute and is displayed next to the heart icon.

Connecting an external heart rate monitor should work immediately when you enable the ‘Settings’ in the tracker app. Note that sometimes it takes a few seconds for the heart rate monitor to “activate”. Also, please ensure that your heart rate monitor strap is closely fitted to your body and that the sensor pads are moist. For further details, please consult the instruction manual that came with your heart rate monitor.
How can I automatically upload my fitness activities to the Nuffield HealthScore™ platform?

Using the Nuffield HealthScore™ Tracker App

On the tracker app, select ‘Login’ and enter the registered email address and password you used when registering on Nuffield HealthScore™. Recorded fitness activities are only automatically uploaded when you are logged in.

When abroad, we recommend that you remain logged off, to avoid your phone operator’s roaming costs which can be expensive. When you return from abroad, simply log in again and all of your tracked fitness activities will be automatically uploaded.
Why is my activity information (i.e. distance, energy) different on the Nuffield HealthScore™ tracker app and the Nuffield HealthScore™ platform?

Using the Nuffield HealthScore™ Tracker App

You may experience marginal differences between the tracker app and the platform for your activity data. Further development to both the platform and tracker app will rectify any synchronisation issues you may experience in the short term.
How can I view my Nuffield HealthScore™ on the tracker?

Using the Nuffield HealthScore™ Tracker App

Because the Nuffield HealthScore™ is calculated in real-time, you can only access your Nuffield HealthScore™ when you are logged in on the tracker app. Press ‘HealthScore’ in the menu tab to access your real-time HealthScore and its components.
How can I take pictures during a fitness activity?

Using the Nuffield HealthScore™ Tracker App

During a workout a camera button appears at the bottom right of the tracker app. Press this button and select your photo library (to choose an existing photo), 17 or the camera (to take one or more new photos). After taking a picture, press ‘Use’ or ‘Done’ to upload it.

If you are an iPhone user one (or more) photos of your fitness activity will appear on the bottom left corner of the tracker app. Swipe left and right on the photos to switch between pictures.
How can I invite my friends to join Nuffield HealthScore™?

Using the Nuffield HealthScore™ Tracker App

Click ‘Connect’ or ‘Contact’ in the menu tab and then click ‘Invite selected contacts’. You can select one or more friends from your list of contacts and then press on the ‘Invite’ button.

On the Nuffield HealthScore™ platform you have more extensive options to find, invite and connect with friends.
How can I maximize my smartphone battery life while using the Nuffield HealthScore™ tracker app?

Using the Nuffield HealthScore™ Tracker App

GPS requires significant power to operate effectively so you might notice that your smartphone battery drains quicker when using the Nuffield HealthScore™ tracker. Don’t despair. There are a couple ways to extend your battery life while running the tracker, for example:

• Enable the app’s screen lock feature (the sleep button on the iPhone in the upper right).
• Turn off your Wi-Fi when in use outdoors.

Your manufacturers’ handbook will have hints and tips on how to save battery life while using applications such as the Nuffield HealthScore™ tracker app.
Can I play music while tracking an activity?

Using the Nuffield HealthScore™ Tracker App

iPhone: Yes. Play music by starting the music app then open Nuffield HealthScore™ tracker app and start your workout.

Android: Yes. Open the Nuffield HealthScore™ tracker app and select ‘New’, chose activity, select ‘Start’. Then go to your main screen to access your music selection and start this as normal.
The Nuffield HealthScore™ tracker app is not working on my phone.

Using the Nuffield HealthScore™ Tracker App

Please contact your phone manufacturer in the first instance as it may be that your phone is not compatible with downloading applications.

Your device would also require GPS capability to track distance based activities, and your phone manufacturer will be able to confirm whether your phone model has this.
The Nuffield HealthScore™ tracker app is still not working on my phone even though my phone is compatible.

Using the Nuffield HealthScore™ Tracker App

Please contact the Support Team on: Email: support@nuffieldhealthscore.com or use the online query form on the www.nuffieldhealthscore.com website.
How can I send my feedback to Nuffield HealthScore™?

Using the Nuffield HealthScore™ Tracker App

Click ‘Connect’ or ‘Contact’ in the menu tab and then select ‘Send feedback’ by email to Nuffield HealthScore™

About Nuffield HealthScore™

What is Nuffield HealthScore™?

About Nuffield HealthScore™

Nuffield HealthScore™ is an online tool that supports you to lead a healthier and more active lifestyle. It is a tool that empowers you to take responsibility for your own health and wellbeing and motivates you to make healthier lifestyle choices.

Nuffield HealthScore™ is not a medical product. Nuffield HealthScore™ is not a diagnostic tool and does not substitute the diagnosis or advice given by a medical professional.

Nuffield HealthScore™ is a lifestyle product, providing you with an easy-to-use, wireless, secure and fun way to manage and track your personal health, wellbeing and fitness. Through integrating gaming and social networking principles, Nuffield HealthScore™ motivates you to make healthy lifestyle choices in an easy and fun way.
What is my HealthScore / What does my HealthScore number mean?

About Nuffield HealthScore™

Your HealthScore provides an indication of your general health and wellbeing, expressed as a number from 1 to 1000. Where 1000 is the best possible score and 1 is the lowest possible score.

Your HealthScore also provides a relative indication of the direction that your general health and wellbeing is moving in. This is indicated by the arrow next to your score. If the arrow is pointing upwards then your score (and general health and wellbeing) is increasing, if the arrow is pointing downwards then they are decreasing.

The score takes into consideration your lifestyle behaviours (My Lifestyle), your current physical state (My Body) and your emotional outlook (My Emotions), and thereby provides you with a completely holistic picture of your general health and wellbeing.
Why is it relevant?

About Nuffield HealthScore™

Nuffield HealthScore™ makes the invisible visible by providing a single HealthScore number out of 1000 which provides a real time indication of your general health status. Nuffield HealthScore™ guides and supports you to make the right lifestyle choices by:

• Giving you a single, easy to understand, personalised HealthScore number
• Allowing you to see, in real time, the impact of your lifestyle choices on your health
• Ensuring you receive the best advice by working with our health professionals in a more personalized way
• Giving you the motivation to keep going
• Making your fitness and wellbeing more fun and enjoyable.
Who developed Nuffield HealthScore™?

About Nuffield HealthScore™

Nuffield HealthScore™ has been developed in collaboration with our business partner, Dacadoo, including a team of medical professionals, an independent advisory board, statisticians, and world renowned academic health experts.
Is Nuffield HealthScore™ accurate?

About Nuffield HealthScore™

Yes, Nuffield HealthScore™ provides a relative indication of your general health and wellbeing based on the information that you entered. To make your HealthScore as personal and accurate as possible ensure that your profile is 100% complete. The more information you can enter the more personalised and accurate your score will be.

Nuffield HealthScore™ has been developed in collaboration with academic and medical professionals, an independent advisory board and world renowned health experts.

Nuffield HealthScore™ is based on many of the known cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk studies, precursor models, and predictive models covering a broad spectrum of diseases, including cancer, with an estimated 70 million man-years of available clinical data. The quality of life questionnaire has been developed by Dacadoo and is primarily influenced by self-assessment questionnaires developed by the World Health Organization (WHOQOL) and the Centers for Disease Control in the US (CDC HRQOL), as well as the SF-36 survey developed by the Medical Outcomes Study in the US.
Is Nuffield HealthScore™ a medical product?

About Nuffield HealthScore™

No, Nuffield HealthScore™ is not a medical product. It is not a diagnostic tool and does not substitute the diagnosis or advice given by a medical professional. Your HealthScore provides a relative indication of your current general level of health based on the information that you provided.

Nuffield HealthScore™ is a lifestyle product, providing you with an easy-to-use, wireless, secure and fun way to manage and track your personal health, wellbeing and fitness. Through integrating gaming and social networking principles, Nuffield HealthScore™ motivates you to make healthy lifestyle choices in an easy and fun way.

How Nuffield HealthScore™ works

How is my HealthScore calculated?

How Nuffield HealthScore™ works

Your HealthScore is comprised of 3 parts and each part has it’s own sub score: your Lifestyle score, your Body score and your Emotions score. Each part has a different level of importance in terms of influencing your overall HealthScore out of 1000.

Making improvements in any of these 3 parts will increase your overall HealthScore. However, your Lifestyle score has the greatest influence on your HealthScore and accounts for 500 points. Your Body accounts for 350 points and your Emotions account for 150 points. Each part influences your overall HealthScore out of 1000.

The following examples illustrate how your HealthScore could improve based on the 3 parts.

• If you feel better about yourself and life in general, and your Emotions score improves, this will have a positive effect on your HealthScore. • If your blood pressure improves, and your Body score improves, this will have a positive effect on your HealthScore.

If you engage in regular exercise activity and you track this activity through Nuffield HealthScore™, then your Lifestyle score will increase which will increase your overall HealthScore.
What is My Lifestyle score?

How Nuffield HealthScore™ works

Your Lifestyle score has the greatest influence on your HealthScore because the key to improving your health and wellbeing is by making positive lifestyle changes. You are therefore in control and you can take responsibility for your own health and wellbeing. You can make lifestyle changes and track these changes using the lifestyle modules found within your Lifestyle score. The lifestyle modules that are currently available within Nuffield HealthScore are:

• Exercise Activity
• Step Counter
• Body Composition

Future modules will include:

• Nutrition
• Stress
• Sleep
How do the individual lifestyle module scores work?

How Nuffield HealthScore™ works

Each module has its own score which counts toward your Lifestyle score. This score will increase if a positive change has been tracked but is also able to decrease if positive behaviours are not maintained. E.g If you track your walking activity then your Exercise Activity score will increase but if you stop tracking your walking then your Exercise Activity score will eventually start to decrease.

Each module also has a specific priority level which is personalised to you based on your biometric measurements. E.g If your cholesterol and blood pressure is elevated and you are a smoker then the most important module for you will be the Smoking Monitor.

Certain lifestyle modules are optional and you can therefore decide whether you want to activate and use certain modules. The Smoking Monitor will automatically be activated for any current or previous smokers. Body Composition Manager will automatically be activated for every user as maintaining a healthy body composition is important for health.

Certain lifestyle modules require a short period of time in order to assess your behaviour before it calculates a score for you. E.g You need to track your total daily steps using the Step Counter for 5 days before you will receive a Step Counter score.
How does the Exercise Activity module work?

How Nuffield HealthScore™ works

The Exercise Activity module monitors how physically active you are. You can track a wide range of outdoor and indoor activities such as walking, football, swimming, yoga and fitness classes. When you track an exercise activity your Exercise Activity score increases. If you stop tracking exercise activities then your Exercise Activity score will eventually start to decrease.

You can track your exercise activity either by using the Nuffield HealthScore™ Tracker App or by manually entering an exercise activity through Add an Activity.

You need to track a minimum of 5 exercise activity sessions before you will receive an Exercise Activity score.
What is the Exercise Countdown?

How Nuffield HealthScore™ works

Engaging in regular exercise activity and tracking this activity on Nuffield HealthScore™ increases your Exercise Activity score and your overall HealthScore. Similarly, if you stop engaging in exercise activity or stop tracking your exercise activity through Nuffield HealthScore™, your Exercise Activity score and your overall HealthScore will start to decrease.

Your countdown clock shows you how many days of inactivity you have left until your HealthScore will start to decrease.
How does the Step Counter module work?

How Nuffield HealthScore™ works

The Step Counter monitors the average number of steps that you take each day. In order to monitor your daily steps you will require a pedometer device. You can either manually enter your daily number of steps or you can upload your steps automatically using a Fitbit pedometer device. The Step Counter is a great tool for those who are just starting to become more physically active but it is also great for regular exercisers who want to monitor their activity levels in between exercise sessions. Taking the stairs instead of the lift is just as important as engaging in regular physical activity. The recommended target value for average daily steps is 10 000 steps.

When using the Step Counter please ensure that you are not double counting your walking by using both the HealthScore Tracker App and your pedometer at the same time.

You need to track your total daily steps using the Step Counter for 5 days before you will receive a Step Counter score.
How does the Body Composition module work?

How Nuffield HealthScore™ works

Body Composition takes into consideration your Body Mass Index (height and weight) and your body fat mass to provide a more accurate representation of your body composition.

The higher the score the closer you are to achieving a body composition that is healthy and appropriate for you. The aim of this module is to encourage you to achieve and maintain a healthy body composition. Having too much body fat is detrimental to health but having too little body fat can also have negative health consequences.

You can update your Body Composition score by manually entering your weight and fat mass on your Diary page. Your score will only change if you update your weight or fat mass measurements.
What range should I expect my HealthScore to be in when I first register?

How Nuffield HealthScore™ works

Your HealthScore is made up of 3 parts and each part accounts for a certain amount of points out of the total 1000 HealthScore points: My Lifestyle (500 points), My Body (350 points) and My Emotions (150 points).

When you first register on Nuffield HealthScore™ your score will be calculated based on your Body score as this is the only information that you have entered (gender, age, height and weight). You should then complete the rest of your physical measurements (waist circumference, blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, medical history questionnaire and lifestyle questionnaire) to make your Body score and your overall HealthScore more accurate and personalised to you.

You should also complete the Quality of Life questionnaire in order to receive a score for your emotional component (My Emotions).

Your Lifestyle component accounts for the highest amount of points out of 1000, and as you wouldn’t have started to track your lifestyle behaviours yet, your overall HealthScore may seem quite low to begin with. Once you start tracking your lifestyle behaviours (exercise activity, step counter, smoking monitor, and body composition) your overall HealthScore will start to change.
What is the maximum value I can realistically expect my score to grow to?

How Nuffield HealthScore™ works

Nuffield HealthScore™ makes it extremely challenging for anyone to reach 1000. Nuffield HealthScore™ treats everyone as an individual and your HealthScore is completely tailored to you. How much your score will grow will depend on your current level of health and on how hard you work at incorporating healthy behaviours into your daily lifestyle. It is possible for your score to increase by 400 points or more over time, but it’s all dependent on your current state of health and on your lifestyle behaviours to make this happen. A score of 800 or higher is considered excellent.
How quickly will my score go up?

How Nuffield HealthScore™ works

How quickly your score increases is completely dependent on you as an individual. It could start to increase after a few days or after a few weeks depending on your current level of health. Nuffield HealthScore™ treats everyone as an individual and your HealthScore is completely tailored to you.

Your Lifestyle score has the greatest influence on your overall HealthScore so tracking lifestyle behaviours will have the greatest influence on increasing your score. You need to track a certain amount of lifestyle behaviour before your Lifestyle score and your overall HealthScore increases.

E.g You need to track 5 exercise sessions before you will receive an Exercise Activity score. You need to track 5 days of steps before you will receive a Step Counter score.
How can I increase my HealthScore?

How Nuffield HealthScore™ works

Your HealthScore is comprised of 3 parts and each part has it’s own sub score: your Lifestyle score (500 points), your Body score (350 points) and your Emotions score (150 points). Each part has a different level of importance in terms of influencing your overall HealthScore out of 1000.

Making improvements in any of these 3 parts will increase your overall HealthScore. However, your Lifestyle score has the greatest influence on your HealthScore so tracking lifestyle behaviours will have the greatest influence on increasing your overall HealthScore.

The following examples illustrate how your HealthScore could improve based on the 3 parts.

• If you feel better about yourself and life in general, and your Emotions score improves, this will have a positive effect on your HealthScore.
• If your blood pressure improves, and your Body score improves, this will have a positive effect on your HealthScore.
• If you engage in regular exercise activity and you track this activity through Nuffield HealthScore™, then your Lifestyle score will increase which will increase your overall HealthScore.

Using Nuffield HealthScore™

How often should I update my Quality of Life Questionnaire?

Using Nuffield HealthScore™

You can update your quality of life questionnaire every month as this provides an accurate up to date assessment of your emotional wellbeing. As a minimum it is recommended that you update your questionnaire at least once every 12 weeks.
How often should I update my biometric measures (blood pressure, cholesterol etc)?

Using Nuffield HealthScore™

If any of your biometric are outside of the recommended range and you are working to improve these levels under the guidance of a Health Professional then you should monitor and update these measures regularly. The time period between each measurement depends on the measurement being taken.

Blood pressure measurements can be taken daily if necessary. Weight and circumference measurements (waist) can be taken weekly. Blood tests such as cholesterol can be measured every 8-12 weeks. It is advisable to attend a Health Assessment with a Health Professional at least once every one to two years.
What happens to my HealthScore if I stop updating my Lifestyle or I go on holiday?

Using Nuffield HealthScore™

If you stop tracking your lifestyle behaviours for a prolonged period of time then your HealthScore will eventually start to decrease. The rate of decline will be specific and personalised to each individual, dependent on their current level of exercise activity.

There is no pause function on Nuffield HealthScore™ because it is a real time reflection of your lifestyle, your general health and your wellbeing. Your physical state is continuously changing in time and cannot be paused.

Going on holiday has many psychological and physiological benefits which have a positive effect on your overall health and wellbeing, so track these benefits where ever you are. If you’re not able to track your progress while on holiday then ensure that you top up your Lifestyle score sufficiently before you leave to prevent your score from decreasing while you are away.
What happens to my score if I fall pregnant?

Using Nuffield HealthScore™

Nuffield HealthScore™ does not factor in pregnancy in the calculations. Entering in any biometric data such as weight, waist circumference, blood glucose and blood pressure will not take your pregnancy into account, and could result in your HealthScore decreasing. You may still be able to track your exercise activity but automatic hints and recommendations generated from the system will not be accurate for pregnancy. You should always take professional medical advice above any advice that the system gives you.
How do I add an exercise activity to my HealthScore account?

Using Nuffield HealthScore™

There are three ways you can add an exercise activity to your HealthScore profile:

1. On the left-hand side of the homepage, click on the ‘Add Exercise Activity’ button which is located underneath your HealthScore body breakdown and Exercise Countdown.

2. Click on the Diary tab, and click on the ‘Add Exercise Activity’ tab on the left-hand side of the page. This will be the 3rd tab on the list.

3. Using the Nuffield HealthScore™ tracker app, you can track an activity in real-time by selecting ‘New’ or ‘+’ (depending on your smart phone) or select ‘Manuel Entry’.
How do I hide my GPS-tracked maps on my HealthScore profile?

Using Nuffield HealthScore™

You can hide your maps tracked via GPS on the smartphone app or supported devices such as Garmin. Go to ‘My Account’ and select ‘Privacy & Security Settings’ and under Hide Maps sharing option select ‘On’ or ‘Off’. Once you have changed your settings click ‘Update Sharing Options’ to save.
How do I delete my Nuffield HealthScore™ account?

Using Nuffield HealthScore™

Login to your account and click on ‘My Account’ in the top right-hand corner of the page. Within the ‘General Account Settings’ tab there is an option at the bottom of the page to ‘Delete my account’.

Units of measurement

What are kilocalories?

Units of measurement

Kilocalories (kcal) are measurements of energy. Calories are very small units and therefore kilocalories are often used. There are 1000 calories in one kilocalorie. Kilocalories can be used to express energy intake and the calorie content of food. Kilocalories can also be used to express energy expenditure and energy requirements for different tasks. Eg. An average-sized individual who runs or walks one mile expends approximately 100 kcals. There are approximately 80 kcals in one apple.
What are METs?

Units of measurement

A MET is an abbreviation for a Metabolic Equivalent.

METs are units of measure used to describe the intensity level of a specific task/activity. METs are referred to as Activity Intensity on the Nuffield HealthScore™ platform.

If you are sitting down at rest you will be working at an intensity level of 1 MET.

If you perform activities that require moderate levels of intensity such as brisk walking, dancing or golf you will be working at an intensity level of 3-6 METs.

If you perform activities that require vigorous levels of intensity such as jogging, swimming or mountain climbing then you will be working at an intensity level of 6 or more METs.
What are Intensity Hours?

Units of measurement

Intensity Hours refers to the number of MET hours accumulated for a specific task.

If you worked at an intensity level of 8.0 METs (running) for a duration of one hour then you would have accumulated 8 MET hours. If you worked at an intensity level of 8.0 METs (running) for a duration of half an hour then you would have accumulated 4 MET hours.

The current American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) guidelines suggest that individuals should accumulate a minimum of 7.5 to 12.5 MET hours per week from physical activity.