Effect of resistance training on excess postexercise oxygen consumption

Post-exercise energy expenditure has not been studied after resistance exercise. In this study, metabolic rate was measured by indirect calorimetry for nine volunteers after 40 minutes of cycling (80 percent of maximal heart rate), 40 minutes of circuit training (50 percent of individuals’ maximum lift [1 RM] x 15 repetitions x 4 sets), 40 minutes of heavy resistance lifting (80 to 90 percent of 1 RM x 3-8 repetitions x 3 sets) and a control interval. Weight training included use of eight stations of Universal multi- and unistation equipment. All forms of exercise increased the metabolic rate immediately after exertion (p < 0.01). For circuit and heavy resistance lifting, the increase also was significant 30 minutes after exertion (p < 0.05). The absolute total increment in caloric use (mean ± standard deviation) after exertion was comparable among circuit training (49 ± 20 kilocalories), heavy lifting (51 ±31 kilocalories), and cycling (32 ± 16 kilocalories). However, cycling was less (p < 0.05) than both forms of weight training. Our findings suggest that dynamic exertion is not required to augment post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), and that the amount of exercising skeletal mass is an additional variable to consider when relating exercise to EPOC.