The aim of this study was to examine the influence of wide-pulse high-frequency EMS on BDNF levels.The aim of this study was to examine the influence of wide-pulse high-frequency EMS on BDNF levels.
Twelve young adults (male, n = 6, 21.0 ± 1.0 years) were enrolled in this study. The participants underwent two EMS interventions (20 min each) with the following conditions: (1) wide-pulse high-frequency EMS, frequency; 100 Hz, pulse width; 1000 μs; (2) conventional EMS, frequency; 20 Hz, pulse width; 100 μs, and control (no intervention). Blood samples were obtained before and immediately after EMS. For the control condition, blood samples were taken before and after 20 min of quiet sitting. BDNF levels were analyzed via simple western blotting via plasma samples according to the manufacturer’s instructions (anti-BDNF antibody, ab10505, Abcam). The significant differences in BDNF were analyzed via repeated-measures analysis of variance for three conditions (wide-pulse, conventional, and control) (pre- and postintervention). Differences between each condition and period were analyzed via Bonferroni post hoc correction. Statistical significance was defined as p 0.05.
Compared with preintervention levels, wide-pulse high-frequency EMS and conventional EMS conditions resulted in significantly greater postintervention BDNF levels (p 0.05). On the other hand, the control condition did not result in a significant change from before to after. Furthermore, wide-pulse high-frequency EMS caused significantly greater increases in BDNF levels than other conditions did.
Our study investigated how EMS parameters affect the level of BDNF in the plasma of young adults. This study revealed that wide-pulse high-frequency EMS is effective at increasing BDNF levels. BDNF has been demonstrated to facilitate neurogenesis, provide anti-inflammatory effects, stimulate nerve regeneration, provide protection, and enhance cognitive performance. Subsequent research will investigate the impact of this intervention on older individuals and patient demographics.
Myokines are garnering interest as therapeutic candidates for neurodegenerative disorders. It has been shown that myokine expression varies with the degree and duration of vigorous activity, although it remains rather consistent during low-intensity exercise. On the basis of these findings, wide-pulse high-frequency EMS, which increases BDNF expression, may be a useful therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases.
brain-drived neurotrophic factor
myokine
