EPOC and It's Role in Weight loss

Following exercise at a high intensity, your body experiences an increase in oxygen consumption.  This increase in oxygen consumption is elevated due to increased catecholamine release, increased cardiac and pulmonary function, lactate and H+ removal, and to help restore metabolic processes to baseline levels.

This increase in oxygen consumption has been termed excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) and can be beneficial to weight loss. The magnitude of EPOC increases with increased exercise intensity for both submaximal and maximal exercises intensities. So start working harder during your next cardio session.

Program design and the manipulation of variables such as intensity and duration can have a significant effect on the outcome of a training program. Compared to continuous, lower intensity activity, sprint intervals create a significantly greater increase in EPOC. 

It's a good idea to incorporate sprints or intervals during your next cardio session to help increase metabolic rate after exercise. This increase can potentially occur for up to 24 hours with appropriate combinations of duration and intensity leading to greater improvements in body composition.

The Role of Excess Post- Exercise Oxygen Consumption (EPOC) In Weight Loss Programs; National Strength and Conditioning Association, McNeely, Ed.