The editors of this book relate both short- and long-term responses of the endocrine system to acute exercise, as well as chronic exercise training. In the preface, they state that the purpose is " . . .to cover the various hormonal pathways that are known to be altered by exercise and how these changes affect different organs and systems of the body . . ." The stated objectives of the text are worthy, and the editors have met those objectives. The audience is intended to be from the fields of exercise science and sports medicine. This text would be useful to both the clinician and the exercise physiologist. In most cases, the text would not be appropriate at the undergraduate level. The editors are credible authorities. More impressive are the qualifications of the actual chapter contributors. The editors have done a fine job of assembling many of the outstanding figures in the field to write chapters. The selection of topics appears to take two tracks. In one, the impact of exercise on the function of various components (organs, axes) of the endocrine system is covered. In the other track, special conditions are addressed. For instance, there is a discussion of pregnancy and the impact of exercise on relevant hormones. In Chapter 1 methodological concerns in measuring hormonal responses to exercise are presented. This book is very helpful, and serves as a good refresher to those who conduct research on this subject. Also valuable are the several chapters on hormonal responses/adaptations to exercise in women. Likewise, with growing interest in the safety and long-term effects of exercise in children, chapter contributors provide meaningful discussion on these issues. Afew important topics have been entirely overlooked -- chapters on the impact of resistance exercise on hormonal responses/adaptations, as well as hormonal regulation muscle mass (trained or untrained) should have been included. This is a very valuable book. The underlying subject -- the impact of exercise on endocrinology -- is interesting and important to both the clinician and the exercise scientist. There is a real need for a book that is a comprehensive and up-to-date presentation of the scientific findings concerning the interaction of exercise and the endocrine system. A quality comprehensive book on the subject has not been published since Galbo's Hormonal and Metabolic Adaptation to Exercise in 1983.
Physicians and researchers in sports medicine review what is known about how sports activity affects the endocrine system and how in turn those evoked hormonal responses affect many other organs and systems of the body. Their topics include the various endocrine pathways that are altered by exercise; the effect of hormones on performance; the effect of exercise on puberty and growth; and the hormonal regulation of fluid homeostasis, substrate metabolism, and energy balance. They devote substantial attention to exercising women and the influence of exercise-driven hormonal changes on the menstrual cycle, contraceptive use, pregnancy, and menopause. Their account should interest physicians and clinical investigators treating people active in sports. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Reviewer: Michael Descheues, PhD (College of William and Mary)
Description: The editors of this book relate both short- and long-term responses of the endocrine system to acute exercise, as well as chronic exercise training.
Purpose: In the preface, they state that the purpose is ". . .to cover the various hormonal pathways that are known to be altered by exercise and how these changes affect different organs and systems of the body . . ." The stated objectives of the text are worthy, and the editors have met those objectives.
Audience: The audience is intended to be from the fields of exercise science and sports medicine. This text would be useful to both the clinician and the exercise physiologist. In most cases, the text would not be appropriate at the undergraduate level. The editors are credible authorities. More impressive are the qualifications of the actual chapter contributors. The editors have done a fine job of assembling many of the outstanding figures in the field to write chapters.
Features: The selection of topics appears to take two tracks. In one, the impact of exercise on the function of various components (organs, axes) of the endocrine system is covered. In the other track, special conditions are addressed. For instance, there is a discussion of pregnancy and the impact of exercise on relevant hormones. In Chapter 1 methodological concerns in measuring hormonal responses to exercise are presented. This book is very helpful, and serves as a good refresher to those who conduct research on this subject. Also valuable are the several chapters on hormonal responses/adaptations to exercise in women. Likewise, with growing interest in the safety and long-term effects of exercise in children, chapter contributors provide meaningful discussion on these issues. A few important topics have been entirely overlooked — chapters on the impact of resistance exercise on hormonal responses/adaptations, as well as hormonal regulation muscle mass (trained or untrained) should have been included.
Assessment: This is a very valuable book. The underlying subject — the impact of exercise on endocrinology — is interesting and important to both the clinician and the exercise scientist. There is a real need for a book that is a comprehensive and up-to-date presentation of the scientific findings concerning the interaction of exercise and the endocrine system. A quality comprehensive book on the subject has not been published since Galbo's Hormonal and Metabolic Adaptation to Exercise in 1983.
"...this book provides a world view of recent developments in sports endocrinology, with invited contributions from leading authorities in 12 nations...A welcome feature is an extended discussion of the exercising female, with chapters exploring hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, contraceptive use, pregnancy and the menopause. There are also chapters looking at hormonal aspects of overtraining, exercise at high altitude, exercise and mood state, and circadian rhythms...The material should prove a valuable resource for all who are concerned with the impact of hormones upon acute and chronic responses to exercise, and this could serve as a useful text for a graduate course in sports endocrinology..." -Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology
". . .the stated objectives of the text are worthy, and the editors have met those objectives. . .the editors have done a fine job of assembling many of the outstanding figures in the field to write chapters. . .This is a very valuable book. The underlying subject — the impact of exercise on endocrinology — is interesting and important to both the clinician and the exercise scientist. There is a real need for a book that is a comprehensive and up-to-date presentation of the scientific findings concerning the interaction of exercise and the endocrine system. Weighted Numerical Score: 91 - 4 Stars!" -Doody's Health Science Book Review Journal
"...this book provides a good read for those interested in endocrinology and those interested in exercise. There has been a distinct need for a book in this subdiscipline, since endocrinology and exercise science e are growing so rapidly. This textbook is long overdue. A competent understanding of exercise and endocrinology are important for the successful integration of the two areas. Sports Endocrinology meets the need." -The Lancet
"...this text represents a valuable and relatively comprehensive overview of the area. It will be very useful to clinicians who treat their patients with exercise or have patients who are athletes...In summary, this is a fine book that is generally well written and well organized. It is compendium of information concerning many of the important areas of exercise endocrinology. The book is replete with interesting information not available in other single source. It would be a valuable book for clinicians who prescribe or recommend exorcise for their patients, or who have patients who are athletes. It would also be very valuable to scientists and their graduate students who study endocrinological and metabolic aspects of exercise." -Elsevier Science
"The book is impressive in scope, organization, content, and clarity. In short, this is a book with very useful, carefully crafted chapters that can indeed inform several groups of readers. It is a comprehensive review of the endocrine response to exercise and the effect on the body with up-to-date references. Sports Endocrinology is the new standard reference book." -American Journal of Medicine and Sports
"This is a comprehensive review volume describing in 24 chapters the physiological effects of physical activity on the endocrine system. Some of the topics will be of special interest to pediatric endocrinologists, such as: The effect of exercise on the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal-axis; Exercise and the growth hormone-IGF-I axis; Diabetes and exercise; Role of exercise in the attainment of peak bone mass and bone strength; Exercise and the developing child (interaction with growth). Well referenced. Of interest to pediatricians, endocrinologists, sports physicians and training coaches." -Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism
