Vol 16, Issue 2

A New, Simple and Practical Approach to Increase the Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Serum Levels of Neurotrophic Factors in Adult Males

February 15, 2023 - By 

Authors

Mahdi Bahramnejad, Sports Sciences Department, Faculty of Literature & Human Sciences, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran
Vahid Valipour Dehnou, Sports Sciences Department, Faculty of Literature & Human Sciences, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran
Rasoul Eslami, Department of Exercise Physiology, Physical Education and Sport Sciences faculty, Allame Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran
International Journal of Exercise Science 16(2): 932-941, 2023. 
DOI: 10.70252/QGYM2950

Abstract

Environmental enrichment (EE) is defined as a combination of complex inanimate and social stimulation. Physical activity and EE may augment the beneficial effects of each other. This study aimed to assess the effects of running in an enriched environment on neurotrophic factors in adult males. Twelve volunteer adult males (age 26.75 ± 5.34 yrs, body mass 70.72 ± 8.61 kg, height 172.50 ± 5.68 cm, VO2max 56.8 ± 2.93) completed two sessions, each consisted of one hour of running at an intensity of 12-13 on the Borg Scale. One session was completed in a normal environment, while the other was performed in an enriched environment (running track with several obstacles). Participants completed this randomized cross-over study interspersed by two weeks. Ten minutes before and after each session, blood samples were collected from all participants. Serum levels of BDNF, IGF-1, and VEGF were measured by ELISA. There was a statistically significant interaction of condition and exercise on BDNF, F (1, 11) = 43.71, p < 0.001, = 0.799; IGF-1, F (1, 11) = 83.58, p < 0.001, = 0.884; and VEGF, F (1, 11) = 31.86, p < 0.001, = 0.743. There was also a significant effect of condition on BDNF F (1, 11) = 21.08, p = 0.001, = 0.657; IGF-1, F (1, 11) = 32.35, p < 0.001, = 0.746; and VEGF, F (1, 11) = 116.29, p < 0.001, = 0.914. In addition, there was a significant effect of Exercise on BDNF F (1, 11) = 52.86, p < 0.001, = 0.828; IGF-1, F (1, 11) = 39.14, p < 0.001, = 0.781; and VEGF, F (1, 11) = 171.21, p < 0.001, = 0.940. One hour of moderate-intensity running in adult males significantly increased serum levels of BDNF, IGF-1, and VEGF. But, exercising in an enriched environment may have a significantly greater effect. Therefore, if enhancing neurotrophic factors are desired outcomes of training sessions, then including obstacles may enhance the likelihood of achieving this goal.

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