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Int J Sports Med 2024; 45(02): 155-161
DOI: 10.1055/a-2197-1201
Genetics & Molecular Biology

Impact of Strength Training Intensity on Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor

Marcos Borges Junior 
1   Neurosciense, UFMG, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
,
Larissa Ferreira Jacomini Tavares
1   Neurosciense, UFMG, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
,
Gabriela Yumi Nagata
2   Medicine School, UFMG, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
,
Lucélia Scarabeli Silva Barroso
3   Pediatrics, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
,
Heliana Barros Fernandes
4   Morphology, UFMG, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
,
Antonio Felipe Souza-Gomes
5   Nutrition, UFOP, Ouro Preto, Brazil
,
Aline Silva Miranda
4   Morphology, UFMG, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
,
Albená Nunes-Silva
6   Physical Education Department, UFOP, Ouro Preto, Brazil
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Abstract

The present study employed a randomized crossover design to investigate the effect of strength-training exercise at varying intensities on acute changes in plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. Fourteen trained male subjects (41.0±5.8 years old) were enrolled in the current study. The strength-training protocol included bench press, leg press, and lat pull-down exercises. Participants performed four sets with repetition failure at 60% or 80% of their one-repetition maximum (1RM), with a two-minute rest period. The order of intensity was randomized among volunteers. Blood samples were collected before, immediately after, and one hour after each exercise protocol. A time-point comparison revealed that a single session of strength training at 60% of 1RM increased lactate plasma concentrations from 1.2 to 16 mmol/L (p<0.0001). However, no significant changes were observed in the plasma BDNF concentration. Conversely, the training session at 80% of 1RM increased lactate concentrations from 1.3 to 14 mmol/L (p<0.0001) and BDNF concentrations from 461 to 1730 pg/ml (p=0.035) one hour after the session’s conclusion. These findings support the hypothesis that a single strength-training session at 80% 1RM can significantly enhance circulating levels of BDNF.

Key words

physical exercise - BDNF - strength training - intensity


Publication History

Received: 08 June 2023

Accepted: 19 October 2023

Accepted Manuscript online:
23 October 2023

Article published online:
29 November 2023

© 2023. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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