Exercise Intensity and Recovery on Circulating Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor

• Published in: Medicine and science in sports and exercise 2020-05, Vol.52 (5), p.1210-1217
• Main Authors: REYCRAFT, JOSHUA T., ISLAM, HASHIM, TOWNSEND, LOGAN K., HAYWARD, GRANT C., HAZELL, TOM J., MACPHERSON, REBECCA E. K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor - blood; Exercise - physiology; Fibronectins - blood; High-Intensity Interval Training; Humans; Lactic Acid - blood; Male; Neuronal Plasticity - physiology; Neuroprotection - physiology; Physical Conditioning, Human - physiology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0195-9131; 1530-0315
• DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000002242

INTRODUCTIONBrain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an exercise-induced neurotropin mediating neuroprotection and synaptic plasticity. Although exercise intensity is implicated as a potentially important mediator of BNDF release after exercise, the optimal exercise stimulus (interval vs continuous) and intensity (submaximal vs supramaximal) for augmenting circulating BDNF levels remains unknown. Irisin, an exercise-driven myokine, may also contribute to neuroprotection by upregulating BDNF. PURPOSETo examine the response and recovery of plasma BDNF and irisin after acute exercise of differing intensities. METHODSEight males (23.1 ± 3.0 yr of age; V˙O2max 51.2 ± 4.4 mL·kg·min) completed four acute exercise sessions1) moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT, 65% V˙O2max); 2) vigorous-intensity continuous training (VICT, 85% V˙O2max); 3) sprint interval training (SIT, “all out”); and 4) no exercise (CTRL). Blood was collected preexercise as well as immediately, 30 min, and 90 min postexercise. Plasma BDNF and irisin were assessed with commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. RESULTSPlasma BDNF levels increased immediately after exercise in the SIT group (P < 0.0001) with plasma concentrations recovering 30 and 90 min postexercise. The BDNF levels after MICT were reduced 30 min postexercise compared with immediately postexercise (P = 0.0189), with no other changes across time points in MICT and VICT groups. Plasma BDNF area under the curve in SIT was significantly higher compared with CTRL, MICT, and VICT (P = 0.0020). No changes in plasma irisin across exercise groups and time points were found (P > 0.9999). CONCLUSIONSPlasma BDNF levels increased in an intensity-dependent manner with SIT eliciting the highest BDNF concentration immediately postexercise. These results identify SIT as a time-efficient exercise modality to promote brain health through BDNF release.