Systems and methods for dynamically adjusting a metric that influences power management of an access terminal are provided. Initially, an access node is configured to distribute reverse-activity bits (RAB's) to the access terminal, which conveys data, at a particular rate, to the access node. Adjusting the dynamic metric involves establishing a number of slots allocated for a filtered reverse-activity bit (FRAB) window and a hybrid reverse-activity bit (HRAB) window, wherein each of the slots are allocated to accept a RAB. The RAB's accepted to the slots of the FRAB window and the HRAB window are recursively averaged to derive a FRAB parameter and an HRAB parameter, respectively. The dynamic metric is adjusted by incorporating either the FRAB parameter or an HRAB parameter therein based on whether ramping conditions are satisfied. The rate of data conveyed from the access terminal is controlled based on the adjusted dynamic metric.