Skip to main content

Energy Expenditure Cycling

Meaning

Energy expenditure cycling refers to the strategic, time-dependent fluctuation of daily caloric output, which is intentionally varied across different days or phases to optimize metabolic flexibility and prevent adaptive thermogenesis. This clinical strategy involves periods of higher energy output days interspersed with lower expenditure days, ensuring the body does not fully settle into a metabolic plateau. The goal is to sustain an efficient metabolism and support body composition goals by avoiding the metabolic slowdown often seen with consistent, chronic energy restriction. This cycling helps maintain the responsiveness of key hormonal regulators of appetite and energy.