Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2017; 125(07): 436-440
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-103967
Article
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Effects of Cycling and Exergaming on Neurotrophic Factors in Elderly Type 2 Diabetic Men – A Preliminary Investigation

Christian Brinkmann
1   Department of Molecular and Cellular Sport Medicine, Institute of Cardiovascular Research and Sport Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Germany
,
Leonie Schäfer
1   Department of Molecular and Cellular Sport Medicine, Institute of Cardiovascular Research and Sport Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Germany
,
Magd Masoud
1   Department of Molecular and Cellular Sport Medicine, Institute of Cardiovascular Research and Sport Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Germany
,
Joachim Latsch
2   Department of Preventive and Rehabilitative Sport Medicine, Institute of Cardiovascular Research and Sport Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Germany
,
Daniel Lay
2   Department of Preventive and Rehabilitative Sport Medicine, Institute of Cardiovascular Research and Sport Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Germany
,
Wilhelm Bloch
1   Department of Molecular and Cellular Sport Medicine, Institute of Cardiovascular Research and Sport Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Germany
,
Klara Brixius
1   Department of Molecular and Cellular Sport Medicine, Institute of Cardiovascular Research and Sport Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 15 October 2016
revised 11 February 2017

accepted 14 February 2017

Publication Date:
25 April 2017 (online)

Abstract

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at increased risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases. There is growing evidence that repeated exercise-induced transient increases in neurotrophic factors can augment neurogenesis and neuroplasticity. This pilot study compares the effects of 30-min submaximal cycling with those of exergaming (combining exercise and video gaming) at the same duration and same rating of perceived exertion (BORG RPE: 14-15) on serum neurotrophic factors in 8 elderly non-insulin-dependent T2DM patients (71±4 years) (2×2 crossover design). Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 levels were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Heart rates were almost equal during cycling and exergaming, while lactate values were significantly higher during cycling (cycling versus exergaming: 3.7±1.1 versus 2.5±1.2 mmol/l, p<0.05). BDNF and VEGF levels were increased significantly post-cycling (+20%,+14%, p<0.05). No other significant pre-post changes were evident. This study demonstrates that acute exercise can increase neurotrophic factors (BDNF, VEGF) in elderly T2DM patients, depending on exercise mode.

 
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