Equipment: Atomic absorption spectrophotometer (SP9, Pye-Unicam), Reflotron auto-analyser, spectrophotometers, hematological Coulter counter, LP 400 photometer - used for biochemical analyses at training camps. Research methods: Measurements of hemoglobin, total serum protein, glucose, urea, uric acid, creatine, lactate, ammonia, zinc, copper, magnesium, potassium, activities of creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, aminotransferases, g-glutamylotranspeptidase. Principal subject: Effects of training and of maximal or submaximal exercise on blood biochemical variables and salivary IgA level. Current research: Metabolic disturbances in response to supramaximal or maximal exercise performed by male and female athletes; Effects of training and of single exercise bouts on salivary levels of IgA immunoglobulin. Research achievements: Intense training induced decreases in IgA concentration in the saliva of elite athletes but the change was reversed (increase) when IgA was expressed per mg of salivary proteins. Similar changes were observed following a single bout of exercise. Changes in the level of blood FFA, glycerol, ß-ABA and citric acid in response to submaximal exercise indicated that increased metabolic rate 60 min after exercise is greater in subjects characterized by higher VO2max value. Grant G/H/96: Blood samples were collected from 32 subjects (rowers and controls). Both groups differed significantly in resting values of glutathione peroxidase in erythrocytes, in plasme levels of vitamins A and E. Blood levels of total and reduced glutathione were found to depend on the mode of exercise, while changes in other variables (activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase, concentrations of reduced glutathione and TBARS) depended on the fitness of subjects. Applied research: Health condition of athletes as assessed from resting values of studied variables; biochemical responses to laboratory exercise; training monitoring by measuring urea and creatine kinase activity in serum. Sports studied: judo, wrestling, rowing, kayaking, boxing, weight lifting, taekwondo, fencing.