The comprehensive study of how various forms of physical activity modulate the secretion, circulation, and receptor sensitivity of endocrine hormones throughout the human body. This field meticulously analyzes the acute and chronic effects of exercise on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axes. The overall hormonal impact is a critical determinant of training adaptation, body composition changes, and long-term metabolic health.
Origin
This term is a cross-disciplinary synthesis of exercise physiology, endocrinology, and sports science, recognizing the endocrine system as the primary chemical mediator of exercise benefits and adaptation. Scientific inquiry into this area aims to precisely optimize training protocols for specific, desired hormonal outcomes, such as maximizing anabolic signaling.
Mechanism
Resistance training, for example, acutely increases circulating testosterone and growth hormone concentrations, which promotes muscle protein synthesis and tissue remodeling. Conversely, prolonged, high-intensity endurance exercise can significantly elevate cortisol, requiring careful management to avoid a systemic catabolic shift. These profound hormonal changes are mediated by muscle contractions, metabolic stress, and subsequent signaling to the central endocrine glands via the bloodstream.
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