The scientific study of the acute responses and chronic adaptations of the human body to physical activity, examining how various organ systems, including the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and endocrine systems, integrate to meet the metabolic demands of exercise. This discipline provides the clinical basis for prescribing physical activity to optimize hormonal health, improve body composition, and enhance longevity.
Origin
This field originated from early 20th-century studies on human performance and the physiological limits of the body under duress, evolving into a specialized branch of human physiology. It applies foundational knowledge of anatomy and biochemistry to understand the functional changes induced by movement.
Mechanism
Physical exertion initiates a cascade of systemic responses, notably the activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the release of catecholamines like adrenaline, which mobilize energy stores. Skeletal muscle contraction triggers the release of myokines, which act as endocrine signals influencing distant tissues, including fat and liver. Chronic, structured exercise leads to adaptations like improved insulin sensitivity, enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis, and favorable shifts in the anabolic-catabolic hormone balance, such as increasing growth hormone and testosterone relative to cortisol.
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