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What is EPOC?

bjdw_1977
bjdw_1977 Posts: 442 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
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In laymans terms.
Cheers.

Replies

  • noblsheep
    noblsheep Posts: 593 Member
    Generally known as "afterburn".

    Say you're exercising hard. Then you stop and lie down. Your energy consumption doesn't magically go down to your sedentary level immediately, ie your heart keeps beating fast for a while, you need to replenish the energy stores you used up, and your body needs to repair your muscles etc. All of that counts toward EPOC.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    Long but good read from Lyle McDonald. (Cliff notes - often the amount of calories burned through EPOC are exaggerated, they are dwarfed by the exercise burn from the exercise itself.)

    "Let’s put this into real-world perspective. In one study, subjects ran 20 X 1 minute intervals above VO2 max with a 2′ rest between. While the EPOC was about double that found in subjects who performed 30′ at 70% Vo2 max, the total EPOC was only about 32 calories (135 kJ). Less than half an apple burned from EPOC. You’ll be ripped in about 15 years at that rate."

    https://bodyrecomposition.com/research-review/research-review-effects-of-exercise-intensity-and-duration-on-the-excess-post-exercise-oxygen-consumption.html/
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