
Playing basketball for an hour and a half is a great way to burn calories. The exact number of calories burned depends on various factors, such as body weight, intensity of play, and style of play. On average, a person can burn anywhere between 575 to 775 calories per hour, with some estimates reaching over 1000 calories for an hour and a half of play. Basketball is a high-intensity, full-body workout that involves running, jumping, and pivoting, making it an excellent choice for those looking to get in shape and improve their cardiovascular fitness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Calories burned in 1 hour | 549-700+ kcal |
| Calories burned in 1 hour 45 minutes | 1100+ kcal |
| Calories burned in 2 hours | 1700 kcal |
| Factors influencing calories burned | Body weight, duration of activity, metabolic rate, intensity of activity, type of activity, age, gender, fitness level |
| Calorie calculation formula | (Weight in pounds * 0.453592) * (MET value of activity * 0.0175) * duration in minutes |
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What You'll Learn
- Calories burned: it's a high-intensity, full-body workout
- Calculating calories: MET value x weight in kg x 0.0175 x duration
- Factors affecting calories burned: intensity, weight, duration
- Weight loss: burning calories, building muscle, improving cardiovascular fitness
- Comparison to other activities: cycling, jogging, climbing

Calories burned: it's a high-intensity, full-body workout
Playing basketball is a great way to burn calories and lose weight. The number of calories burned during a 90-minute session will depend on various factors, including the player's weight, the intensity of the game, and their overall fitness.
Basketball is a high-intensity, full-body workout that requires players to run, jump, pivot, and more. These activities use a lot of energy, resulting in a significant calorie burn. The intensity of the exercise is a key factor in the number of calories burned. The higher the intensity, the more calories are burned. For example, walking 1 mile in 1 hour will burn significantly fewer calories than walking 5 miles in the same time.
The MET value, or Metabolic Equivalent of Task, is a unit used to estimate the amount of energy used during physical activity compared to resting metabolism. Basketball has a MET value of 6.4, meaning it requires 6.4 times more energy than sitting quietly. To calculate the calories burned, one can multiply their weight in kilograms by the MET value of basketball (6.4) and then divide by 60. This result is then multiplied by the duration of the activity in minutes.
According to research, a person weighing 160 pounds can burn up to 600 calories per hour playing basketball, which is more than cycling or jogging. This means that playing basketball for 90 minutes could result in a calorie burn of up to 900 calories. Additionally, building muscle mass through basketball will lead to burning more calories even when at rest.
It is important to note that individual results may vary, and consulting with a doctor or medical professional is recommended before starting any new sport or physical activity, especially if you have any health conditions or are new to exercise.
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Calculating calories: MET value x weight in kg x 0.0175 x duration
To calculate the calories burned during any physical activity, including basketball, you can use the MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) formula. This formula takes into account your body weight and the duration of the activity to estimate the energy expenditure in calories.
The formula to calculate calories burned is:
> MET value x weight in kg x 0.0175 x duration
Here's a breakdown of each component:
MET Value
The MET value represents the intensity of the activity. It is the ratio of the metabolic rate during the activity to the metabolic rate at rest. In simple terms, it tells us how much more energy we expend during an activity compared to when we are sitting at rest. For example, an activity with a MET value of 4 means you are expending four times more energy than you would if you were sitting still. MET values are usually available in standard tables for common activities. Basketball is considered a vigorous-intensity activity, with a MET value typically ranging from 6 to 10, depending on the intensity of the game and the type of play.
Weight in kg
Your body weight in kilograms is an important factor because the amount of calories burned is directly proportional to your weight. The formula uses your weight in kilograms, so be sure to convert your weight to kg if it is in a different unit.
Duration
The duration of the activity is measured in hours. For example, if you played basketball for 1 hour and 30 minutes, the duration would be 1.5 hours.
Calculation Example
Let's calculate the calories burned for our example of playing basketball for 1 hour and 30 minutes (1.5 hours). We will assume a body weight of 70 kg and a MET value of 8 for an intense basketball game.
Using the formula:
> Calories burned = MET value x weight in kg x 0.0175 x duration
> Calories burned = 8 x 70 kg x 0.0175 x 1.5 hours
> Calories burned = 918 calories
So, for a 70 kg person playing an intense basketball game for 1 hour and 30 minutes, they would burn approximately 918 calories.
It is important to note that this formula provides an estimate, and actual calorie expenditure can vary based on individual factors such as age, gender, body composition, and fitness level. Additionally, the intensity of the basketball game and your level of exertion can significantly impact the number of calories burned.
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Factors affecting calories burned: intensity, weight, duration
Playing basketball for an hour and a half is an excellent form of exercise. The exact number of calories burned will depend on several factors, including the intensity of the game, your weight, and the duration of the activity.
Intensity
The intensity of the exercise is a key factor in determining the calories burned. Higher-intensity exercises, such as basketball, involve a greater expenditure of energy, resulting in more calories burned. The intensity of an exercise can be measured in various ways, with heart rate being one of the most common indicators. As your heart rate increases, it reflects the increased difficulty and intensity of the activity. Additionally, as exercise intensity rises, the body shifts from using fats to carbohydrates as its primary energy source. This shift in energy sources contributes to a higher calorie burn during more intense workouts.
Weight
An individual's weight also influences the number of calories burned during exercise. People with larger bodies tend to have larger internal organs, which require more energy to function. As a result, they often burn more calories during physical activity and even at rest. Additionally, muscle requires more energy than fat, so individuals with a higher muscle mass will tend to burn more calories, even if they are the same height and weight as someone with a lower muscle mass.
Duration
The duration of the activity is another critical factor. Generally, the longer you engage in an activity, the more calories you will burn. However, it's important to note that the relationship between duration and calories burned is not linear, as the intensity of the exercise also plays a significant role. For example, walking a mile in an hour will result in fewer calories burned compared to walking five miles in the same time frame.
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Weight loss: burning calories, building muscle, improving cardiovascular fitness
Playing basketball for 90 minutes can burn 700 or more calories, depending on the intensity of the game and the player's build. It involves a lot of running, jumping, and shooting, which are all high-intensity movements that burn a lot of calories.
When it comes to weight loss, burning calories, building muscle, and improving cardiovascular fitness are key factors. Here are some ways to achieve these:
Burning Calories
- High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): This involves alternating between high-intensity exercises and low-intensity recovery periods. For example, sprinting and then walking intervals. HIIT helps burn a significant number of calories and improves cardiovascular fitness.
- Other Sports: Playing other sports such as basketball is an excellent way to burn calories while having fun. Basketball is a strenuous activity that requires a lot of athleticism and can burn a large number of calories depending on the intensity of the game.
Building Muscle
- Strength Training: Incorporate strength training exercises such as lifting weights or using resistance bands. Focus on slowly increasing the weight by no more than 10% each week to avoid injury and give your body time to adapt.
- Diet: A balanced diet rich in whole foods, including fresh produce, healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, and especially protein, is crucial for building muscle.
Improving Cardiovascular Fitness
- Moderate Weight Loss: For overweight and obese individuals, losing 5-10% of their body weight can lead to significant improvements in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, including glycemia, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.
- Cardiovascular Exercises: In addition to HIIT, incorporate other cardiovascular exercises such as running, swimming, or cycling into your routine. These activities improve heart and lung health and help with weight loss.
Remember, when trying to improve your physical health and lose weight, it's important to focus on both diet and exercise. Combining a healthy diet with a regular fitness routine that includes muscle-building and cardiovascular exercises will lead to the best results.
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Comparison to other activities: cycling, jogging, climbing
While it is difficult to provide an exact figure for the number of calories burned while playing basketball for 1 hour and 30 minutes, estimates from users on Reddit suggest that playing basketball for 1 hour and 45 minutes burns over 1100 calories. This figure can vary depending on the intensity of the game, the weight of the person playing, and the accuracy of the calorie tracker.
Compared to other activities, here is how this intensity level might translate:
Cycling
Cycling to work for 30 minutes burns just over 200 calories, according to one user's Garmin device. This suggests that cycling is a less intense activity than basketball, as a longer duration of cycling results in fewer calories burned.
Jogging
Jogging is a high-impact activity that can burn a significant number of calories, depending on the pace, terrain, and duration. While there are no specific figures for jogging in the sources provided, it is generally considered a moderate- to high-intensity activity, similar to basketball.
Climbing
Climbing, specifically bouldering, is an intense activity that can burn a large number of calories. One climber who is 6'5" and 190 lbs burns between 6 and 9 calories per minute bouldering, which equates to 360-540 calories in an hour. Another climber estimates burning 170 calories during their cooldown after climbing, indicating that climbing significantly elevates the heart rate and continues to burn calories even after the activity is completed.
It is important to note that the number of calories burned during any physical activity can vary depending on various factors such as duration, intensity, individual fitness level, weight, and accuracy of tracking devices. Therefore, these estimates should be considered as approximations, and individual results may vary.
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Frequently asked questions
An average person can burn approximately 862 to 1162 calories playing basketball for 1 hour and 30 minutes. This range takes into account different intensities of play, with shooting baskets being on the lower end of calorie burn.
The higher the intensity of the activity, the more calories are burned. Factors such as bodyweight, defensive intensity, number of breaks, and style of play can influence the intensity and, consequently, the calorie expenditure.
Basketball is a high-intensity, full-body workout that requires running, jumping, and quick movements. It burns more calories per hour than cycling or jogging.
In addition to burning calories, basketball helps build muscle mass and improves cardiovascular fitness. As muscle mass increases, the body burns more calories at rest. Improved cardiovascular fitness boosts metabolism, making it easier to burn calories throughout the day.
Yes, there are online calculators that can estimate the calories burned during a game of basketball. These calculators often use the MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) value of basketball, which is 6.4, along with the individual's body weight to provide an estimate.











































