Exercise and autonomic function

The complex interplay between the dichotomous subdivisions of the autonomic nervous system establishes and maintains a delicately tuned homeostasis in spite of an ever-changing environment Aerobic exercise training can increa se activity of the parasympathetic nervous system and decrease sympathetic activity. Conversely, it is well-documented that cardiac disease is often c haracterized by attenuated parasympathetic activity and heightened sympathe tic tone. A correlation between autonomic disequilibrium and disease has le d to the hypothesis that exercise training, as a therapy that restores the autonomic nervous system towards normal function, may be associated with, a nd possibly responsible for, outcome improvements in various populations. T his is merely one of the many benefits that is conferred by chronic exercis e training and reviewed in this issue. Coronary Artery Dis 11:129-135 (C) 2 000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.