Final answer:
During EPOC, metabolism remains elevated to restore body functions, using glycogen and fat as energy sources and potentially influenced by hormones and increased EPO production to improve oxygen availability.
Step-by-step explanation:
Metabolism During EPOC
How does metabolism behave during Excess Post-exercise Oxygen Consumption (EPOC)? During intense muscle activity, an oxygen debt is accrued requiring higher oxygen intake to restore normal body functions post-exercise. Initially, muscle glycogen is used to produce energy for exertion. As glycogen stores are depleted, the body increases fat metabolism to fuel aerobic pathways. This metabolic shift continues during the EPOC phase to replenish ATP and creatine phosphate levels, convert lactic acid back to glucose or glycogen, and restore normal physiological status. EPOC effectively enhances metabolism by maintaining an elevated consumption of oxygen even after exercise ceases.
A hormonal interplay also influences metabolism during EPOC. Hormones such as epinephrine can stimulate the production of 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate (BPG), facilitating oxygen release from hemoglobin and improving oxygen availability for metabolic processes.
Furthermore, Erythropoietin (EPO) production increases in response to hypoxic conditions, such as exercise, enhancing the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood and potentially influencing the recovery phase post-exercise.