Final answer:
Under ordinary circumstances, EPOC contributes a tiny fraction to overall energy expenditure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary topic of this question is the contribution of EPOC (Excess Post-exercise Oxygen Consumption) to overall energy expenditure.
Under ordinary circumstances, EPOC contributes a tiny fraction of the overall energy expenditure. In fact, less than 10% of the food energy intake is used to do work, while more than 90% is converted to thermal energy or stored as chemical energy in fat.
This means that the majority of the energy consumed by humans is used to maintain body temperature and perform various bodily functions, rather than being used for external work.