EPOC or excess post-exercise oxygen consumption refers to the elevated rate of metabolism and is linked to increased uptake of oxygen after exercise. Elevated metabolism means more calories are burned over the same time. This effect is highest with high-intensity anaerobic exercise like sprinting or weightlifting because this is when you tap into your muscle’s stored energy to keep up with the increased energy demand.
Doing high-intensity anaerobic exercise will deplete the muscle’s energy reserves and damage muscle fibres and resulting in an increase rate of oxygen intake many hours after strenuous exercise. During this recovery phase oxygen is used to restore energy, repair and build muscle and restore the body to its resting state.
During exercise, fat stores are broken down into free fatty acids and released into the bloodstream. After exercise when in recovery these fatty acids are oxidized as fuel to the body. This effect can last up to 48 hours after strenuous exercise, burning calories while you are sleeping. The greater the intensity of your workout the greater the afterburn effect.
