Introduction: Adipose tissue as an endocrine organ primarily regulates metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids. Anorexigenic hormone leptin increases sympathetic activity and decreases insulin secretion, thereby reducing energy depots, while adiponectin elevates tissue sensitivity to insulin, which role visfatin imitates. Heart rate recovery index (DHRR), linked with insulin resistance syndrome, reflects parasympathetic function. Our goal was to analyze correlation between adipocytokines with body composition and DHRR in athletes and sedentary controls. Material and methods: Research included 19 volleyball and water polo national team members (mean age 19.26 ± 1.94 years) and 13 physically inactive male students (mean age 20.46 ± 1.13 years). Anthropometric data were measured and blood samples for hormone analysis were taken: at the beginning, the end and 30 minutes after finishing ergospirometry. Statistical evaluation was performed using: Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon's and Spearman's rank correlation test. Results: Adiponectin levels between dependent and independent variables didn't show statistical significance. Leptin level, noteworthy lower in athletes, at the beginning and the end of the test (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively), was declining in students in every before-after study aspect (p < 0.001 in each case). Visfatin was higher in sportsmen at the end of the test and 30 minutes later (p < 0.001 in both cases), but their levels decreased comparing the beginning and 30 minutes after the test (p = 0.02). Body height, VO2 max and DHRR3 were considerably higher in athletes, just as BMI, BF% and HR in the third minute of recovery were in controls (p < 0.05). Sportsmen had moderately strong negative correlation of visfatin with BF% (p = 0.002, RS = -0.674), whilst leptin showed moderately strong positive correlation with BMI and BF% (p = 0.002, RS = -0.657 and p = 0.011, RS = 0.567), respectively. Controls demonstrated strong and moderately strong positive correlation between leptin with DHRR1 (p = 0.008, RS = 0.702) and DHRR3 (p = 0.018, RS = 0.641), respectively. Conclusion: Research showed positive correlation between visfatin with BF% and leptin with BMI and BF% in athletes, considering small number of participants.