>> Someone on the internet wrote "humans cannot consume more calories than 2.5x their basal metabolic rate" -- which study might they be quoting?
> I am not aware of a specific study that states that humans cannot consume more calories than 2.5x their basal metabolic rate. Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the amount of energy a person needs to maintain basic bodily functions such as breathing and digestion, and it can vary greatly depending on factors such as age, sex, and muscle mass. However, the total daily calorie needs of an individual also depend on their level of physical activity and other lifestyle factors. So, it's likely that this statement is a generalization or an over simplification.
During aerobic training, Nils van den Poel would average 33hrs/week (3x7hr, 2x6hr) roughly at 250W, which will be in the vicinity of 850-900kCal/hr depending on his body's efficiency, likely around 24-25%. That averages to 4250kCal/day when spread across the week. At his size and fitness level, he is probably in the 1800-2000kCal/day range for metabolic basal rate. He aimed for 7000kCal/day during aerobic training and gained 5kg during that summer on purpose. Math seems to add up to me.
And nobody is saying you can't expend more energy for shorter times. It is just that you can't sustain it over long times because of our metabolic limits.
Studies have found that humans cannot consume more calories than 2.5x their basal metabolic rate.