What does the concept of "the afterburn" refer to in fitness?

The concept of "the afterburn," also known as excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), specifically refers to the increased metabolism that occurs after a workout. This phenomenon happens when the body continues to burn calories at an elevated rate after exercise has ended, as it works to recover and return to its resting state. During this recovery period, various physiological processes, such as replenishing oxygen stores, repairing muscle tissue, and restoring hormone levels, demand energy, which results in additional calories being burned.

This idea is particularly relevant in high-intensity workouts, such as those commonly found in Orangetheory Fitness sessions, where the combination of aerobic and anaerobic training can significantly elevate the afterburn effect. The increased metabolic rate can last for several hours or even up to 24 hours post-exercise, varying by the intensity and duration of the workout.

Other options do not accurately capture the essence of what "the afterburn" signifies. While calories burned during the workout are indeed important for tracking overall energy expenditure, they do not account for the additional calories burned during the recovery phase. Muscle soreness is a normal response to exercise but is not related to the metabolic processes involved in afterburn, nor is muscle gain after resistance training, which involves different adaptive