Episode 71 - Dr. Eric Trexler Uncovers the Dynamic World of Energy Expenditure

Sports Science Dudes

Discover the intricate dance of energy expenditure as we unravel the myths with Dr. Eric Trexler, an authority in this field. Our conversation breaks down the complex interaction between physical activity and calorie burn, guiding you through the additive and constrained models of total daily energy expenditure. With Dr. Trexler's insights, we shed light on Herman Ponzer's eye-opening research with the Hadza tribe, which turns the tables on our understanding of energy usage in sedentary Western societies compared to their highly active counterparts.
Timeline:

00:20 – Dr. Trexler explains in simple terms the additive vs. constrained model of total daily energy expenditure (TDEE).

4:38 - Hadza tribes (modern-day Tanzania); Dr Trexler joined Herman Ponzer’s lab in 2023.

7:00 – Some do up to 35,000 steps per day. How much movement is that?

10:00 - Once you reach a certain amount of total physical activity, there appear to be compensatory adjustments vis a vis TDEE.

12:24 - Maximal measured EE per day over months seems to be around a functional limit of 2.5 x a person’s basal metabolic rate. It scales to body size in general.

15:00 – For pregnant women in the 2nd or 3rd trimester we may see a 2.2 range of metabolic scope

17:00 – Metabolic scope values as high as 10 in the short run.

28:00 – Metabolic adaptation

31:14 – Additive vs. constrained models

36:40 – Our energy intake is driven by the hedonic value of a given meal, not necessarily related to the energy needs of the person.

39:59 – Quality of exercise is best served by choosing better foods; exercise is a behavior that affects so many other behaviors.

47:37 – Are there tissue-specific changes in energy expenditure with age? Does this explain, in part, the drop in RMR after age 60?

48:00 – Liver, Brain, Heart and Kidneys are much more metabolically active than skeletal muscle – do these organs decrease in EE?

About our special guest: Eric Trexler PhD

Dr. Eric Trexler is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology of Duke University, where he conducts research on cardiometabolic health and energy expenditure regulation. He has a PhD in Human Movement Science from UNC Chapel Hill and has published dozens of peer-reviewed research papers related to exercise, nutrition, and metabolism.

About the Show

We cover all things related to sports science, nutrition, and performance. The Sports Science Dudes represent the opinions of the hosts and guests and are not the official opinions of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN), the Society for Sports Neuroscience, or Nova Southeastern University. The advice provided on this show should not be construed as medical advice and is purely an educational forum.

Hosted by Jose Antonio PhD

Dr. Antonio is the co-founder and CEO of the International Society of Sports Nutrition and the co-founder of the Society for Sports Neuroscience, www.issn.net. Dr. Antonio has over 120 peer-reviewed publications and 16 books. He is a Professor at Nova Southeastern University, Davie, Florida in the Department of Health and Human Performance.

X: @JoseAntonioPhD

Instagram: the_issn and supphd

Co-host Anthony Ricci EdD

Dr Ricci is an expert on Fight Sports and is currently an Assistant Professor at Nova Southeastern University in Davie Florida in the Department of Health and Human Performance.

Instagram: sportpsy_sci_doc and fightshape_ricci

Chapters

1. Constrained vs Additive Energy Expenditure (00:00:04)

2. The Metabolic Ceiling in Athletes (00:13:03)

3. Optimizing Caloric Intake for Energy Expenditure (00:18:07)

4. Metabolic Adaptation and Exercise Energy Compensation (00:27:45)

5. Impact of Exercise on Health Behaviors (00:38:53)