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Curr Biol February 2016 PMID 26832439

Constrained Total Energy Expenditure and Metabolic Adaptation to Physical Activity in Adult Humans.

Herman Pontzer, Ramon Durazo-Arvizu, Lara R Dugas, Jacob Plange-Rhule, Pascal Bovet, Terrence E Forrester, Estelle V Lambert, Richard S Cooper, Dale A Schoeller, Amy Luke

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Mentions

325
Peak: 3 in Mar 2020
across 6 sources since Aug 2018

Extended reach

692,157
potential audience

Total likes

346

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12,444

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Aug 2018 – Aug 2025

Where it's discussed

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AI synopsis

What people are saying

Discussions around the publication often revolve around agreement with its core findings, such as the idea that increased physical activity does not linearly increase total energy expenditure due to metabolic adaptation. Users employ technical language, referencing models like the 'constrained total energy expenditure,' and critique common recommendations like 'move more,' highlighting the nuanced understanding of energy regulation. The tone varies from scientific curiosity to cautious skepticism, reflecting both interest and engagement with the physiological implications of the research.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussion suggests tentative support or acknowledgment of the study's findings, with some referencing prior research or models similar to Pontzer's conclusions.

InterestHigh interest

Posts demonstrate high curiosity, with many users engaging deeply with the ideas behind the constrained energy expenditure model and its implications for exercise and diet.

EngagementModerate engagement

Several commenters analyze the research methodology, question its applicability, or relate it to broader concepts in metabolism and weight management, indicating moderate to deep engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

While some posts reflect a recognition of the study’s potential to influence public understanding of energy expenditure, overall impact perception is moderate, with comments emphasizing the need for further discussion and skepticism.

Abstract in brief

  • The study investigates whether increased physical activity always leads to higher total energy expenditure, finding that at higher activity levels the body's energy expenditure plateaus due to metabolic adaptation.
  • The results support a "Constrained" model of energy expenditure, showing that beyond a certain point, the body adjusts to maintain a relatively stable total energy output despite increased activity.
  • Factors like body fat percentage and activity intensity influence how the body responds to physical activity, indicating that current public health models should be updated to reflect these metabolic constraints.]
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Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
KENTO/カジュアルに栄養の本質を学べる学校を作る。
@sudokeeen · X

参考 https://t.co/cLNf0Yk5SM https://t.co/ppzCUHAkDw

Oct 23, 2022 · 17 likes · 2 shares · 52,093 followers View post →
Dr. Hernández-Reyes, A. RD, MSc, PhD
@albertohdez · X

buen paper para comprender xk esperar perder peso haciendo ejercicio no será algo "racional". Una caloría gastada no guardará relación c déficit calórico. Constrained total energy expenditure and metabolic adaptation to physical activity in adult humans. https://t.co/eYFTc8AIT6

Aug 13, 2020 · 6 likes · 1 share · 2,027 followers View post →
Raymond Hames (@rayhames.bsky.social)
@HamesRaymond · X

@Juan_dla_Mancha @mnvrsngh @USDA @DHSCgovuk Correct and counter intuitive. Has to do with the energy constraint model. See Pontzer, H. et al. Constrained total energy expenditure and metabolic adaptation to physical activity in adult humans. Curr. Biol. 26, 410–417 (2016).

May 4, 2022 · 6 likes · 1 share · 751 followers View post →
David Macklin
@DavidMacklinMD · X

@davidcarr333 Can we start a scientific discussion of the role of exercise in weight management? Worth a read , see attached theory of constrained total energy expenditure and metabolic adaptation. @HermanPontzer https://t.co/csA7FlgVCe

Oct 9, 2020 · 5 likes · 2 shares · 1,865 followers View post →
JT | Jerry Teixeira
@jerryteixeira · X

@BSTETG72134 @AmyDee1001 @DoctorTro @Asher_Barry87 @BrianLenzkes @LOWCARB_TOOLBOX @jdolphin2572 @KenDBerryMD @docmuscles @SBakerMD @drandyphung @ObesityResolved @ChrisPalmerMD @GeorgiaEdeMD @StickmanBleedin @Mangan150 @drnickgreiner @KetoDocCLT You should weight train and cardio is great for health/ longevity, but believe it or not the body quickly adapts and you no longer expend the energy you think you do from these activities. Look at Herman pontzers work https://t.co/hK829Y8yhl

Mar 6, 2020 · 4 likes · 1 share · 79,066 followers View post →
wint
@wint7 · X

この論文だったはず https://t.co/k9HvjTlTyn

Apr 16, 2024 · 4 likes · 1,763 followers View post →

All mentions

Яizal do
@afrkml · X

Read more here: https://t.co/udmKXpB1Xy https://t.co/hPuQJDQSrt https://t.co/9v8oHLwfcV https://t.co/uIKfq2MZog https://t.co/7l9OjTJzGQ https://t.co/jk3CV6Tn98

Jun 4, 2025 · 1 like · 343,073 followers View post →
Tay Biizy
@TayBiizy · X

@dsiroker Waste. "Constrained Total Energy Expenditure and Metabolic Adaptation to Physical Activity in Adult Humans"

Dec 16, 2024 · 2 followers View post →
Dennis
@Denoez1 · X

Sollte das wirklich stimmen, wäre dies eine Bestätigung von dem, was Pontzer schon vor einigen Jahren geschrieben hat. Ab einem gewissen Aktivitätsvolumen beginnt eine Autoregulation des Körpers. https://t.co/pKkaX4zh7T https://t.co/bBCPaUrYGJ

Nov 1, 2024 · 601 followers View post →
Real Health
@via_health9485 · X

@justincgohn @nntaleb Justin and Nassim please see the following article by @HermanPontzer for insight into why despite increased exercise we “can’t just eat what we want” see another of his articles “Constrained Total Energy Expenditure and Metabolic Adaptation to Physical Activity in Adult Humans” https://t.co/0L86jZKXS6

Oct 26, 2024 · 503 followers View post →
Alan Watson
@Alan_Watson_ · X

@ScepticalAnna In short, this is what @HermanPontzer claims happens (in his research and in 'Burn' see Fig 5.2) which is consistent with the latest - and only - RCT: From Doi:10.1016/j.cub.2015.12.046 https://t.co/6V7BjtvktW

Oct 3, 2024 · 4 likes · 1,468 followers View post →
barley
@barleyjarvis · X

@biggestjoel Here's a study that supports the argument in the video: https://t.co/FIW9iUQQif

Jul 23, 2024 · 26 followers View post →
wint
@wint7 · X

この論文だったはず https://t.co/k9HvjTlTyn

Apr 16, 2024 · 4 likes · 1,763 followers View post →
Hannes Lagerroth
@Quaxi_ · X

@StuartJRitchie It might be true for people with intermediate to advanced exercise, but not in the lower end? "For subjects in the upper range of physical activity, total energy expenditure plateaued, supporting a Constrained total energy expenditure model" https://t.co/o5ieALhcrS

Aug 5, 2023 · 299 followers View post →
ｳﾛﾏﾝ
@alubebula · X

https://t.co/HUysDIWe9x 面白い

Jun 4, 2023 · 128 followers View post →
Herman Pontzer
@HermanPontzer · X

@DStibbardHawkes @rlmcelreath not going to happen w data from the 2012 paper - not enough matching accel data. But here's an example of why it won't matter: here's what that mediation analysis would look like. Activity (CPM/d) effect is tiny and does not reduce the effect of FFM https://t.co/WZkskERKXn https://t.co/ZLXhB40Tt9

Jun 3, 2023 · 1 like · 12,043 followers View post →
Calorify
@calorify_health · X

@ekaratha @davidspitz_ You're absolutely correct that all three of those would affect your TDEE! (Although, some recent research suggests that PAL may not have as much of an effect as previously thought: https://t.co/O68BHW8IW3) With a Calorify kit, you can decide what type of week you'd like to test

May 11, 2023 · 541 followers View post →
Ben
@BTheFisch · X

@mhuzzell @Botanygeek An active or sedentary lifestyle doesn’t play into body composition at that much of a factor for the standard population. This has been accepted within obesity research for over 5 years now, strange it hasn’t made it to the public yet. https://t.co/Y1fgDd8et3

Feb 4, 2023 · 1 like · 554 followers View post →
Tomoki Akiyama｜秋山 智紀
@tmk_akym_at · X

運動しても痩せないのはなぜか: 代謝の最新科学が示す「それでも運動すべき理由」 https://t.co/fbTvtir6Tf Constrained Total Energy Expenditure and Metabolic Adaptation to Physical Activity in Adult Humans https://t.co/Sa4XJ6FQK5

Jan 18, 2023 · 171 followers View post →
เรียลชาย
@helkn5 · X

RT @sudokeeen: 参考 https://t.co/cLNf0Yk5SM https://t.co/ppzCUHAkDw

Nov 10, 2022 · 2 shares · 173 followers View post →
城やん@トレ歴６年目凸
@SHIROYAN0416 · X

RT @sudokeeen: 参考 https://t.co/cLNf0Yk5SM https://t.co/ppzCUHAkDw

Oct 25, 2022 · 2 shares · 2,150 followers View post →
KENTO/カジュアルに栄養の本質を学べる学校を作る。
@sudokeeen · X

参考 https://t.co/cLNf0Yk5SM https://t.co/ppzCUHAkDw

Oct 23, 2022 · 17 likes · 2 shares · 52,093 followers View post →
Raymond Hames (@rayhames.bsky.social)
@HamesRaymond · X

@Juan_dla_Mancha @mnvrsngh @USDA @DHSCgovuk Correct and counter intuitive. Has to do with the energy constraint model. See Pontzer, H. et al. Constrained total energy expenditure and metabolic adaptation to physical activity in adult humans. Curr. Biol. 26, 410–417 (2016).

May 4, 2022 · 6 likes · 1 share · 751 followers View post →
TittyFart McBoobpoop
@ProfSandwich · X

@WillClayYoung @jerkheadface @YrsTrulytheSun @PoliticalGOPCat @robert_bruce_iv @BigLunchMan @GChapman00 Constrained Total Energy Expenditure and Metabolic Adaptation to Physical Activity in Adult Humans by Herman Pontzer et al will teach you a lot about dynamic metabolic allocation. There are many options a body can take in a caloric deficit and they usually cut body functions.

Mar 11, 2022 · 1 like · 89 followers View post →
Tomoki Akiyama｜秋山 智紀
@tmk_akym_at · X

学部の後輩が、「Constrained Total Energy Expenditure」に関連のテーマで、卒論を書くと聞いて、非常に楽しみ。 https://t.co/ZfvtUkUBA4

Dec 13, 2021 · 171 followers View post →
Drew Baye High Intensity Training
@BayeDrew · X

@jcthemd If your fat is going down, it's almost entirely because your diet is on point. https://t.co/roiRHNB8tf

Apr 14, 2021 · 12,046 followers View post →
Drew Baye High Intensity Training
@BayeDrew · X

@jcthemd @HermanPontzer Probably not after subtracting REE from the total, unless you are maintaining a pretty high level of effort for that time. https://t.co/uF54s3eqUn

Mar 26, 2021 · 12,046 followers View post →
Vicent Tomás, Diabetes conCiencia
@diabconciencia · X

¿Quién tiene la razón? En estos trabajos de Pontzer et al, el gasto energético (TEE) de TRIBUS cazadoras y hortícolas es muy similar a la de OCCIDENTALES pese a la diferencia de actividad física: https://t.co/uHweYkBI0s https://t.co/wnvSCu7rAJ Otros autores apuntan en otra direcc

Jan 7, 2021 · 1 like · 4,984 followers View post →
Kevin Hall
@KevinH_PhD · X

@TheBhupiThakur @HermanPontzer @TheAlanAragon According to the constrained energy expenditure model of @HermanPontzer: https://t.co/DuBOZnUOQs

Nov 16, 2020 · 1 like · 38,413 followers View post →
Davide Malatesta
@DvDMalatesta · X

RT @DavidMacklinMD: @davidcarr333 Can we start a scientific discussion of the role of exercise in weight management? Worth a read , see at…

Oct 9, 2020 · 2 shares · 496 followers View post →
Herman Pontzer
@HermanPontzer · X

RT @DavidMacklinMD: @davidcarr333 Can we start a scientific discussion of the role of exercise in weight management? Worth a read , see at…

Oct 9, 2020 · 2 shares · 12,043 followers View post →
David Macklin
@DavidMacklinMD · X

@davidcarr333 Can we start a scientific discussion of the role of exercise in weight management? Worth a read , see attached theory of constrained total energy expenditure and metabolic adaptation. @HermanPontzer https://t.co/csA7FlgVCe

Oct 9, 2020 · 5 likes · 2 shares · 1,865 followers View post →
Mundo HIIT
@MundoHIIT · X

RT @albertohdez: buen paper para comprender xk esperar perder peso haciendo ejercicio no será algo "racional". Una caloría gastada no guard…

Aug 13, 2020 · 1 share · 66 followers View post →
Dr. Hernández-Reyes, A. RD, MSc, PhD
@albertohdez · X

buen paper para comprender xk esperar perder peso haciendo ejercicio no será algo "racional". Una caloría gastada no guardará relación c déficit calórico. Constrained total energy expenditure and metabolic adaptation to physical activity in adult humans. https://t.co/eYFTc8AIT6

Aug 13, 2020 · 6 likes · 1 share · 2,027 followers View post →
Brian Wiley
@BrianWiley_ · X

RT @jerryteixeira: @BSTETG72134 @AmyDee1001 @DoctorTro @Asher_Barry87 @BrianLenzkes @LOWCARB_TOOLBOX @jdolphin2572 @KenDBerryMD @docmuscles…

Mar 6, 2020 · 1 share · 13,298 followers View post →
JT | Jerry Teixeira
@jerryteixeira · X

@BSTETG72134 @AmyDee1001 @DoctorTro @Asher_Barry87 @BrianLenzkes @LOWCARB_TOOLBOX @jdolphin2572 @KenDBerryMD @docmuscles @SBakerMD @drandyphung @ObesityResolved @ChrisPalmerMD @GeorgiaEdeMD @StickmanBleedin @Mangan150 @drnickgreiner @KetoDocCLT You should weight train and cardio is great for health/ longevity, but believe it or not the body quickly adapts and you no longer expend the energy you think you do from these activities. Look at Herman pontzers work https://t.co/hK829Y8yhl

Mar 6, 2020 · 4 likes · 1 share · 79,066 followers View post →
JT | Jerry Teixeira
@jerryteixeira · X

@LOWCARB_TOOLBOX @AmyDee1001 @Asher_Barry87 @BrianLenzkes @jdolphin2572 @KenDBerryMD @docmuscles @DoctorTro @SBakerMD @drandyphung @ObesityResolved @ChrisPalmerMD @GeorgiaEdeMD @StickmanBleedin @Mangan150 @drnickgreiner @KetoDocCLT the problem with “move more” (not necessarily energy balance) is that move more is adapted to rather quickly, even hunter gatherers who lead much much more physically active lives than any of us have almost the same energy expenditure as westerners https://t.co/hK829Yq9FV

Mar 5, 2020 · 3 likes · 79,066 followers View post →
BANT
@BANTonline · X

@sorahill @GilesYeo @DrMichaelMosley Agree to first part but limited in helpfulness when a calorie is not a biological molecule and fats/carbs have different pathways. On the CO front, then non-linearities in the system present https://t.co/NJP4Ft39EE So its back to diet...

Feb 25, 2019 · 1 like · 7,665 followers View post →