Ep 387 - Energy Cost of Building Muscle

In this episode, Eric Trexler and Eric Helms explore the energetic cost of building human skeletal muscle, discussing recent research, practical implications, and misconceptions about muscle growth and energy expenditure.

Relevant papers:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31482093/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37914977/

https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.08.17.745156v1.full.pdf

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:52 Powerlifting shout-out

11:55 Introduction to new paper on energetic cost of building muscle

20:01 Components of muscle tissue building and their energy costs

22:59 Practical implications of the 3500 calorie rule

30:05 The five additive components of muscle growth energy cost

33:49 Variability in individual energy expenditure responses

40:12 Limitations and future directions in research

50:10 Summary and concluding thoughts