Louis Nuvagah Forti1, Evelien Van Roie2, Rose Njemini1, Walter Coudyzer3, Ingo Beyer4, Christophe Delecluse2, Ivan Bautmans5. 1. Gerontology (GERO) Department, VrijeUniversiteitBrussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium; Frailty in Aging Research (FRIA) Department, VrijeUniversiteitBrussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium. 2. Physical Activity, Sports and Health Research Group, KU Leuven, Tervuursevest 101, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium. 3. Radiology Department, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium. 4. Gerontology (GERO) Department, VrijeUniversiteitBrussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium; Frailty in Aging Research (FRIA) Department, VrijeUniversiteitBrussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium; Department of Geriatrics, UniversitairZiekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium. 5. Gerontology (GERO) Department, VrijeUniversiteitBrussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium; Frailty in Aging Research (FRIA) Department, VrijeUniversiteitBrussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium; Department of Geriatrics, UniversitairZiekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium. Electronic address: ivan.bautmans@vub.ac.be.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: BDNF is known to induce neuroplasticity and low circulating levels have been related to neuronal loss in older persons. Physical exercise is thought to trigger BDNF-induced neuroplasticity, but conflicting observations have been reported regarding the effects of resistance training on circulating BDNF in the elderly. These conflicting observations might reflect dose-and gender-specific differences. METHOD: Fifty-sixapparently healthy elderly (68 ± 5 years) participants were randomized to 12 weeks of resistance training (3×/week) at either high-resistance (HIGH, 8 Males, 10 Females, 2 × 10-15 repetitions at 80% 1 RM), low-resistance (LOW, 9 Males, 10 Females, 1 × 80-100 repetitions at 20% 1 RM), or mixed low-resistance (LOW+, 9 Males, 10 Females, 1 × 60 repetitions at 20% 1 RM followed by 1 × 10-20 repetitions at 40% 1 RM). Serum was collected for BDNF assay at baseline and after 12 weeks (24 h-48 h after the last training). RESULTS: 12 weeks of LOW+ exercise significantly increased BDNF levels in male (from 34.9 ± 10.7 ng/mL to 42.9 ± 11.9 ng/mL, time × group interaction p=0.013), but not in female participants. No significant change was observed in HIGH or LOW, neither in male nor female subjects. CONCLUSION: Our results show that only the mixed-low-resistance training program with a very high number of repetitions at a sufficiently high external resistance was able to increase circulating BDNF in older male participants. Training to volitional fatigue might be necessary to obtain optimal results. Additional studies are needed to unravel the underlying mechanisms, as well as to confirm the observed gender difference.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND:BDNF is known to induce neuroplasticity and low circulating levels have been related to neuronal loss in older persons. Physical exercise is thought to trigger BDNF-induced neuroplasticity, but conflicting observations have been reported regarding the effects of resistance training on circulating BDNF in the elderly. These conflicting observations might reflect dose-and gender-specific differences. METHOD: Fifty-six apparently healthy elderly (68 ± 5 years) participants were randomized to 12 weeks of resistance training (3×/week) at either high-resistance (HIGH, 8 Males, 10 Females, 2 × 10-15 repetitions at 80% 1 RM), low-resistance (LOW, 9 Males, 10 Females, 1 × 80-100 repetitions at 20% 1 RM), or mixed low-resistance (LOW+, 9 Males, 10 Females, 1 × 60 repetitions at 20% 1 RM followed by 1 × 10-20 repetitions at 40% 1 RM). Serum was collected for BDNF assay at baseline and after 12 weeks (24 h-48 h after the last training). RESULTS: 12 weeks of LOW+ exercise significantly increased BDNF levels in male (from 34.9 ± 10.7 ng/mL to 42.9 ± 11.9 ng/mL, time × group interaction p=0.013), but not in female participants. No significant change was observed in HIGH or LOW, neither in male nor female subjects. CONCLUSION: Our results show that only the mixed-low-resistance training program with a very high number of repetitions at a sufficiently high external resistance was able to increase circulating BDNF in older male participants. Training to volitional fatigue might be necessary to obtain optimal results. Additional studies are needed to unravel the underlying mechanisms, as well as to confirm the observed gender difference.
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