Physical activity markedly affects the function of a series of endocrine glands. The character of these changes is dependent on the type and intensity of physical activity, training status and the gender of subjects under study. Intensive acute physical a activity induces complex neurohumoral reaction connected with activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis and an increase of catecholamine and other „stress-related“ hormone levels. The changes induced by a regular intensive physical activity are in many aspects different from those caused by acute physical activity. The aim of this article is to summarize the endocrine changes induced both by acute and regular physical activity. Moreover, the influence of physical activity on the production of recently discovered adipose tissue-derived hormones and its relationship to insulin sensitivity and function of other endocrine glands will be described.

        Key words: physical activity - endocrine system - endogenous opioids - leptin - adiponectin - amenorrhoe.