EPOC

EXCESS POST-EXERCISE OXYGEN CONSUMPTION

"EPOC" is an increase in rate of oxygen intake following a strenuous exercise bout. Post exercise, EPOC helps to restore the body back to a resting state and helps the body adapt to the exercise performed. This increase in rate of oxygen consumption gives rise to the calories burned AFTER exercise. So, even when you're finished working out, you're body continues to burn an increased amount of calories in effort to restore the body. This is good :)

FYI

*EPOC is greater when exercise is split up throughout the day. So, when clients ask me if it is acceptable to do 15 minutes of cardio before work and the remaining 15 minutes before dinner, I tell them, "Of course!"

*Exercise intensity increases EPOC more than exercise duration. Exercising at only 50% VO2 max for 40 minutes is not as beneficial as exercising at 75% VO2 max for only 20 minutes.

*Interval training increases EPOC more than steady state exercise. For example, 20 x 1 minute intervals can provide more than double the EPOC compared to a 30 minute steady state exercise bout.

Want to thank Sue for providing this very beneficial information with the Cooper Fitness Center trainers.