Grossenbacher R1,2, Maguire C2,3
1Bildungszentrum Gesundheit Basel-Stadt, Muenchenstein, Switzerland, 2Bern University of Applied Sciences, Health, Bern, Switzerland, 3Bildungszentrum Gesundheit Basel-Stadt, Physiotherapy, Muenchenstein, Switzerland
Background: Studies in both animals and humans indicate that aerobic training increases serum levels of the neurotrophin Brain Derived Neurotrohic Factor (BDNF). BDNF is known to influence synaptic activity in the short-term and to increase synaptogenesis and neuroplasticity long-term. Cognitive performance has also been shown to increase post-aerobic training. These effects are potentially relevant for physiotherapy interventions and may present a means of increasing the efficacy of treatment. To date however it remains unclear whether high intensity (HI) or moderate intensity (MI) aerobic training have different influences on serum levels BDNF. It is also unclear whether motor performance is improved post aerobic training and whether change correlates with altered BDNF concentrations.
Purpose: To investigate the influence of HI and MI aerobic training on serum levels of BDNF, cognitive and motor performance in healthy individuals.
Methods: Design: A non-randomised control study. 30 healthy adults with no cardiovascular risk factors for High Intensity training according to the American College of Sports Medicine, no orthopedic or neurological conditions. Interventions - all subjects completed a V02 Peak Spirometry test with a bicycle ergometer (classified as HI training) and 3-4 weeks later a 40 minute MI training classified as 40-59% of Heart Rate Reserve.
Outcomes: BDNF serum levels, cognitive tests: Corsi Block Test and Corsi Track Test, motor test: trunk sway measured as Total Angle Area (TAA) when standing on one leg on a foam cushion. Blood samples for BDNF analysis were collected 20 minutes before training, immediately and 20 minutes after; cognitive and motor tests were completed before and after training.
Results: Data collection is ongoing and will be completed in October 2018. Preliminary analysis of results indicate that serum levels of BDNF increase after both HI and MI aerobic training with slightly greater increases in some subjects following HI. Cognitive and motor performance increase more after MI than HI in most subjects.
Conclusion(s): Final data analysis will enable further elucidation of these points. If both motor and cognitive performance are increased following aerobic training, it may be that physiotherapy interventions which attempt to influence motor learning, would be more effective when carried-out after aerobic training. MI may result in greater increases in performance as BDNF levels are enhanced but subjects are not fatigued. Further studies in people with neurological of musculoskeletal disease are needed to investigate effects in these groups.
Implications: A greater understanding of the physiological effects of aerobic training on neurotrophic factors as well as cognitive and motor performance may help to inform practice and increase the efficacy of physiotherapy interventions.
Keywords: Aerobic training, BDNF, motor performance
Funding acknowledgements: No additional funding was provided
Purpose: To investigate the influence of HI and MI aerobic training on serum levels of BDNF, cognitive and motor performance in healthy individuals.
Methods: Design: A non-randomised control study. 30 healthy adults with no cardiovascular risk factors for High Intensity training according to the American College of Sports Medicine, no orthopedic or neurological conditions. Interventions - all subjects completed a V02 Peak Spirometry test with a bicycle ergometer (classified as HI training) and 3-4 weeks later a 40 minute MI training classified as 40-59% of Heart Rate Reserve.
Outcomes: BDNF serum levels, cognitive tests: Corsi Block Test and Corsi Track Test, motor test: trunk sway measured as Total Angle Area (TAA) when standing on one leg on a foam cushion. Blood samples for BDNF analysis were collected 20 minutes before training, immediately and 20 minutes after; cognitive and motor tests were completed before and after training.
Results: Data collection is ongoing and will be completed in October 2018. Preliminary analysis of results indicate that serum levels of BDNF increase after both HI and MI aerobic training with slightly greater increases in some subjects following HI. Cognitive and motor performance increase more after MI than HI in most subjects.
Conclusion(s): Final data analysis will enable further elucidation of these points. If both motor and cognitive performance are increased following aerobic training, it may be that physiotherapy interventions which attempt to influence motor learning, would be more effective when carried-out after aerobic training. MI may result in greater increases in performance as BDNF levels are enhanced but subjects are not fatigued. Further studies in people with neurological of musculoskeletal disease are needed to investigate effects in these groups.
Implications: A greater understanding of the physiological effects of aerobic training on neurotrophic factors as well as cognitive and motor performance may help to inform practice and increase the efficacy of physiotherapy interventions.
Keywords: Aerobic training, BDNF, motor performance
Funding acknowledgements: No additional funding was provided
Topic: Human movement analysis; Neurology
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: Ethics Committee Northwest Switzerland
Ethics committee: Ethics Committee Northwest Switzerland
Ethics number: ID 2017-01685
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
