HORMONAL RESPONSES AND ADJUSTMENTS DURING SHORT-TERM EXERCISE AND PHYSICAL-TRAINING

Physical activity mobilizes energy reserves to supply substrates for v arious metabolic pathways. This phenomenon is partly regulated by horm onal changes, of which the most important are a decrease in plasma ins ulin and increases in catecholamine levels. The increase in sensitivit y to insulin associated with physical activity allows the muscles to u se larger amounts of glucose despite low serum insulin levels. The inc reased sensitivity to insulin and the lipid profile changes induced by physical training suggest that physical exercise may be effective in preventing noninsulin dependent (Type II) diabetes mellitus. In contra st, physical activity has no effect on the etiopathogenesis of insulin dependent (Type I) diabetes mellitus. Physical training can act synerg istically with dietary treatment in patients with obesity but is ineff ective in the absence of an appropriate diet. Regular physical activit y is among the lifestyle factors that can influence the development an d course of metabolic diseases, provided that the level and duration o f physical exercise are sufficient.