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Exercise Timing Hormones

Meaning

Exercise timing hormones are the specific endogenous chemical messengers whose secretion patterns are acutely and chronically influenced by the time of day an individual engages in physical activity. These hormones, including cortisol, growth hormone, testosterone, and melatonin, exhibit strong circadian rhythms that can be either amplified or suppressed by the temporal placement of exercise. Strategic exercise timing seeks to harmonize training with the natural peak and trough of these hormones to optimize performance, recovery, and overall hormonal balance. This concept is foundational to chronobiological exercise prescription.