Hormones and sports – when physical activity is beneficial and when it is not

Physical exertion is a heavy burden on the hormonal system. While physical activity regulates many of the body’s processes, in the wrong dose and intensity it can harm our endocrine system. See how sports affect hormonal balance.

Agata Brama

Exercise has a huge impact on the functioning of the entire human body. In order to keep the body in relative homeostasis, cooperation between many body systems, including the endocrine system, is essential. The aftermath of physical activity includes an increase in body temperature, a rise in blood pressure or an increase in heart rate. Under normal circumstances, such symptoms would indicate a medical condition. Fortunately, our bodies adapt perfectly to current changes, and physical activity, despite its “negative symptoms”, has a beneficial effect on health.

Regular physical exercise of moderate intensity is recommended for everyone, regardless of latitude or living conditions. However, it is worth knowing moderation in training. Moderately intensive training, performed several times a week, improves our health, but working out until we are out of breath can put too much strain on the endocrine system. As long as we are not professional athletes, let’s rely on common sense – to make physical activity safe for us.

Physical exertion and... dehydration

Physical activity is closely linked to changes within the body’s water management. During exercise, body temperature rises, so we sweat more, and accelerated breathing increases the excretion of water vapour from the body. If it were not for the mechanisms developed by the endocrine system, our blood volume and blood pressure would drop dramatically during physical activity. Fortunately, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is on guard — it is thanks to it that blood pressure rises, and the body retains sodium and water without leading to dehydration. Of course, this system is able to work, provided you are properly hydrated – which is why it is so important to consume fluids during training.

Post-workout anaemia

Thanks to the effects of aldosterone, even for two days after training, the blood remains in increased volume through reduced filtration in the kidneys. As a result, the blood is heavily diluted, resulting in lower erythrocyte or haemoglobin concentrations. If this is the case, the results of blood counts taken after training may erroneously indicate anaemia. Blood volume and concentration of its morphotic elements return to normal after some time. Those working out who suffer from anaemia should regularly monitor their blood results.

 

Physical exercise for insulin-resistant people

Physical exertion causes both temporary and long-term changes in the body, related to the regulation of water-electrolyte balance and nutrient metabolism. The body’s priority during sports activity is to increase the availability and metabolic rate of ingredients, needed by the muscles to work. Such a component is, among others, glucose, the concentration of which in the blood increases during exercise – under the influence of glucagon, epinephrine, norepinephrine and glucocorticosteroids. On the other hand, glucose uptake by working muscles is facilitated thanks to insulin (a hormone antagonistic to glucagon). It is through this mechanism that regular physical activity is recommended in order to regulate glucose-insulin metabolism in the body. Physical exercise reduces insulin resistance.