|Hormonal Responses to Resistance Exercise Variables Luis M.
Alvidrez and Len Kravitz, Ph.D Exercise places a major challenge
on the body due to the increased energy needs and physiological
demands put upon the body's nervous, muscular, cardiovascular,
metabolic and respiratory systems. As a body goes through these
responses and subsequent adaptations to exercise, there are a
number of complex hormonal interactions occurring
simultaneously. For example, hormones can increase blood
pressure, stimulate protein synthesis, and increase the body's
metabolic rate. With resistance training variables, several
hormonal responses and consequent adaptations which have been
observed will be reviewed in this article. Hormones '101': The
Basics Hormones, secreted by endocrine (hormone secreting)
glands in the body, are substances that regulate the function of
body cells, tissues, organs or systems. Hormones are released
from a number of 'traditional' glands, such as the pituitary,
testes, ovaries, pancreas, thyroid and the