Excess post-exercise oxygen consumption
Excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) is a measurably increased rate of oxygen intake following strenuous activity.
The extra oxygen is used in the processes that restore the body to a resting state and adapt it to the exercise just performed. These include:
- hormone balancing
- replenishment of fuel stores
- cellular repair
- innervation
- anabolism
EPOC is accompanied by an elevated consumption of fuel, including fat.
Experiments have shown EPOC increasing metabolic rate to an excess level that decays to 13% 3 hours after exercise, and 4% after 16 hours.
Experiments also show that anaerobic exercise increases EPOC more than aerobic exercise does.
Reference
- Hill, A. V., Long, C. N. H. and Lupton, H. (1924). Muscular exercise, lactic acid, and the supply and utilization of oxygen. I–III. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B 96,438-475.