Human Effort Levels - Energy and Heart Rates

Human work effort levels vs. energy expenditure and associated heart rates. Calculate energy expenditure in different units and understand heart rate ranges for various physical tasks.

Human Effort Levels

Select an effort level to view associated heart rate ranges, energy expenditure, and typical tasks.

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Results

Energy Expenditure (Btu/h)-- Btu/h
Total Energy Expenditure-- Wh
Total Energy Expenditure (Btu)-- Btu
Effort LevelHeart Rate (bpm)Energy Expenditure (W)Work Duration RestrictionTypical Tasks
Light0 - 3570 - 175NoneRiding bicycle at 10 km/h, canning paint, raking leaves, making drawings, machining light objects, sewing by hand
Moderate35 - 55175 - 260> 2 hoursBuilding brick wall, cleaning boiler, planing softwood, sheet-metal working, soldering, using screwdrivers, walking on level
Heavy55 - 75260 - 420< 1 to 2 hoursDigging trenches, using sledge-hammer, stoking furnace, metal grinding, walking up 5% gradient
Very Heavy75 - 90420 - 700< 1 to 2 hoursShoveling sand, using jackhammer, stacking concrete blocks, stone masonry, climbing normal stairs
Extremely Heavy> 90> 700< 0.25 to 0.3 hoursSawing wood, climbing vertical ladder