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Physiologic Adaptation Lag

Meaning

Physiologic Adaptation Lag refers to the measurable time delay between the application of a biological stimulus—such as exercise, dietary change, or hormonal therapy—and the body’s complete, stable, and desired compensatory response. This lag represents the time required for genetic transcription, protein synthesis, cellular remodeling, and systemic feedback loops to fully adjust to the new input. Understanding and managing this lag is essential in clinical practice to set realistic expectations and optimize the timing of subsequent therapeutic adjustments.