Levels of exertion

Suggested activities that may tie in with common exertion terms

Minimal Exertion:

• Sitting
• Eating
• Talking
• Dressing and undressing
• Showering and drying self

Mild Exertion:

Walking slowly on the flat.

Normal (ordinary) Exertion:

• Walking on the level (2 blocks, that is, about 12 houses)
• Keeping up with someone of the same age and gender
• Walking upstairs (one flight, that is, about 12 steps)
• Ordinary household tasks
• Carrying two supermarket bags of shopping (weighing 5lbs or 2.5 Kg, one in each hand) a reasonable distance, on the flat

Moderate Exertion:

• Walking briskly
• Hurrying upstairs
• Walking on an incline without stopping
• Walking more than one flight of stairs

Greater than ordinary Exertion:

• Running for a bus
• Running upstairs
• Walking up a steep hill without stopping
• Walking up multiple flights of stairs
• Carrying two full supermarket bags of shopping upstairs

Much Greater Than Ordinary Exertion (Severe):

• Running up hills
• Running up several flights of stairs
• Carrying or moving heavy loads of 50 Kg or more

Sustained and Prolonged Exertion:

• Walking on the flat for an hour or more
• Walking several hundred metres at a normal pace