Naama W. Constantini – författare

Since the observation in the 19th century that an extract of the suprarenal bodies injected into the circulation caused a rise in blood pressure, the endocrine system has become a major component in our understanding of human physiology. The introduction of radioimmunoassay techniques and the ability to measure minimal amounts of hor­ mones (a term derived from the Greek "to excite") have shown that acute exercise causes a release of a large number of hormones and that chronic exercise may further lead to long-term alterations in endocrine homeostasis. Actually, almost every organ and system in the body is affected by physical activity and exercise, much of it through the endocrine and neuroendocrine system. Investigation ofthe effect of acute or chronic physical activity on the endocrine system is a complex matter since the stimulus called "exercise" has many components, such as mode, intensity, duration, and others. In addition, several other factors, such as age, gender, training status, body temperature, circadian rhythm, metabolic state, menstrual cycle, and various external conditions as well as psychological factors, can modify the effect of physical activity on hormonal secretion. Moreover, the physiol9gical stimulus of exercise often provokes several and parallel cascades of biochemical and endocrine changes. It is therefore often extremely difficult to distinguish between primary and secondary events and between cause and effect. These limitations will be discussed in Chapter 1.

Since the observation in the 19th century that an extract of the suprarenal bodies injected into the circulation caused a rise in blood pressure, the endocrine system has become a major component in our understanding of human physiology. The introduction of radioimmunoassay techniques and the ability to measure minimal amounts of hor­ mones (a term derived from the Greek "to excite") have shown that acute exercise causes a release of a large number of hormones and that chronic exercise may further lead to long-term alterations in endocrine homeostasis. Actually, almost every organ and system in the body is affected by physical activity and exercise, much of it through the endocrine and neuroendocrine system. Investigation ofthe effect of acute or chronic physical activity on the endocrine system is a complex matter since the stimulus called "exercise" has many components, such as mode, intensity, duration, and others. In addition, several other factors, such as age, gender, training status, body temperature, circadian rhythm, metabolic state, menstrual cycle, and various external conditions as well as psychological factors, can modify the effect of physical activity on hormonal secretion. Moreover, the physiol9gical stimulus of exercise often provokes several and parallel cascades of biochemical and endocrine changes. It is therefore often extremely difficult to distinguish between primary and secondary events and between cause and effect. These limitations will be discussed in Chapter 1.

Now in its fully revised and expanded third edition, this comprehensive text represents a compilation of the critical endocrinology topics in the areas of sports medicine, kinesiology and exercise science, written by leading experts in the field.As in previous editions, the focus here is on the critical issues involved in understanding human endocrinology and hormonal workings with regards to physical activity, exercise and sport and how such workings impact the full range of medical conditions, overall health and physiological adaptation. Chapters included discuss the effect of exercise on the HPA axis, the GH-IGF-1 axis, thyroid function, diabetes, and the male and female reproductive systems, among other topics. Additional chapters present the current evidence on circadian endocrine physiology, exercise in older adults, exercise and hormone regulation in weight control, and the effects of overtraining in sports. Chapters brand new to this edition present the role of hormones in muscle hypertrophy, the effect of exercise on hormones in metabolic syndrome patients, how exercise impacts appetite-regulating hormones in clinical populations, and the relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S) condition.