Final answer:
To calculate the energy cost and MET equivalent of a 135-lb woman stepping up and down on a bench, we would use established equations or refer to metabolic charts. The MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) allows estimating the energy expenditure of various activities; however, specific values were not provided in the question, so the exact calculations cannot be performed.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks to calculate the energy cost (VO2) of a 135-lb woman stepping up and down on an 8-inch bench at a rate of 24 steps per minute and to determine the MET equivalent for this activity. To solve for the VO2 and METs, we would typically use a standard equation or refer to metabolic charts that provide estimates for the energy cost of different types of physical activities. However, the provided text does not give the necessary details to perform these calculations. In such scenarios, it is customary to look for the METs of similar activities in established databases or research publications related to physical activities' energy expenditure.
The MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) is a unit that estimates the amount of oxygen consumed while sitting at rest and is equal to 3.5 ml O2 per kg body weight x min. When performing physical activities, this value increases. The energy cost in METs can then be estimated based on the intensity of the activity.