RESEARCH ARTICLE Estimating relative intensi t W

Full list of author information is available at the end of the articlePhysical activity (PA) intensity levels can be defined by a value relative to one’s maximal aerobic capacity (i.e.,% VO2 reserve or % heart rate reserve [HRR]) or as an absolute value (i.e., metabolic equivalents [METs]). Moderate-intensity (MOD) using relative classifications is set at 40-60 % of one’s HRR, whereas MOD intensity O2 · kg-1 · min-1) regardless of an individual’s aerobic cap-acity. Both definitions have been widely utilized to estab-lish the health benefits of engaging in MOD to vigorous (VIG)-intensity PA across diverse populations [1-4]. In large scale epidemiologic studies, the absolute method of classifying PA has been used to establish as-sociations between PA habits and various health out-comes, such as cardiovascular disease [5,6]. An issue with these absolute cutpoints is that they were originall