In the past few years, there have been many publications about physical activity in relation to autonomic control of the cardiovascular system and its adaptation. Some of the many artic­les on this subject are reviewed, with an attempt to extract and summarize the most intere­sting findings. Among other things, studies of the oxytocinergic system of the dorsal brain stem are discussed. How does it change with exercise, and how does it control the functioning of the cardiovascular system? The heart rate variability analyses are also discussed as the key factor in the research of the autonomic nervous system.