The course is oriented to deepen the knowledge and understanding of the hormonal mechanisms that regulate the functions of the human body with particular regard to the role of endocrine factors in adaptation to physical activity.

At the end of the course the student must know:

1. the epidemiological and socio-health importance of diabetes, the main characteristics of the different forms of diabetes, the role of physical activity in the prevention and therapy of diabetes and metabolic syndrome, the alterations of adaptation to physical activity related to diabetes and its therapy;
2. the consequences of the most common endocrine dysfunctions on physical performance;
3. the potential negative consequences of strenuous exercise on female reproductive function, the mechanisms of this phenomenon and the ways to counteract it;
4. the role of endocrine factors in doping and its implications  on  health.

Knowledge of the basic elements of human anatomy and physiology.

• General information of anatomy and cell biology preparatory to the study of endocrinology.
• General information on endocrine regulation systems: mechanisms of action of hormones; hormone receptors, feed-back mechanisms, endocrine rhythms.
• Metabolic actions of thyroid hormones. Thyroid pathophysiology and implications on the physical performance of thyroid diseases.
• Diabetes mellitus: epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, notes on how to monitor the disease, principles of therapy. Consequences of diabetes and its different forms of therapy in the adaptation to motor activity. Prescription of physical activity as a tool for the prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus.
• General relationships between endocrine system and motor activity.
• Obesity, metabolic syndrome: definition, epidemiology, implications. Role of physical activity in prevention and therapy.
• Main hormonal responses to exercise: catecholamines, cortisol, GH, glucagon, insulin, ADH.
• Abuse of GH in sports. The model of acromegaly.
• Mineral metabolism and metabolic diseases of the bone.
• Reproductive alterations of the athlete and their long-term implications.
• Adverse effects of androgens in women.
• Anabolic steroids: effects on performance and consequences on the general state of health.
• Doping: role of endocrine factors in doping and its implications on health.