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Exercise Adaptations

Meaning

Exercise adaptations are the chronic, long-term physiological and structural modifications that occur in response to repeated bouts of physical stress, resulting in enhanced functional capacity and improved resilience. These adaptations encompass changes in the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, and neuroendocrine systems. From a hormonal perspective, successful adaptation involves improvements in insulin sensitivity, shifts in basal cortisol rhythm, and optimized secretion and receptor sensitivity for growth factors and sex hormones.