What is the increase in caloric expenditure following exercise called?

The increase in caloric expenditure following exercise is called excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC). This phenomenon occurs as the body works to restore itself to a resting state after the physical demands of exercise. During this recovery period, there is an elevated state of oxygen consumption which contributes to additional calorie burning.

EPOC involves various physiological processes, including the replenishment of oxygen stores, the removal of lactate, the resynthesis of phosphocreatine, and elevation in heart rate and breathing rate. As a result, the energy expenditure remains elevated for hours after the workout is completed, reflecting the ongoing metabolic processes that are crucial for recovery.

In contrast, the thermic effect of food refers to the energy required for digestion, absorption, and metabolism of nutrients consumed, while basal metabolic rate pertains to the rate of energy expenditure at rest, and active metabolic rate indicates the calories burned during activities and exercise but does not specifically capture the post-exercise recovery component.