Lutz Schega1, Beate Peter1, Tanja Brigadski2, Volkmar Leßmann2, Berend Isermann3, Dennis Hamacher1, Alexander Törpel4. 1. Institute of Sport Science, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany. 2. Institute of Physiology, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany; Center of Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Germany. 3. Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany. 4. Institute of Sport Science, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany. Electronic address: alexander.toerpel@ovgu.de.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:Physical exercise, especially aerobic training, improves physical performance and cognitive function of older people. Furthermore, it has been speculated that age-associated deteriorations in physical performance and cognitive function could be counteracted through exposures to passive intermittent normobaric hypoxia (IH). Thus, the present investigation aimed at investigating the effect of passive IH combined with subsequent aerobic training on hematological parameters and aerobic physical performance (V˙O2max) as well as peripheral levels of the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cognitive function. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial in a repeated measure design. METHODS:34 older participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (IG) or control group (CG). While IG was supplied with passive IH for 90min, CG breathed ambient air. Subsequently, both groups underwent 30min of aerobic training three times per week for four consecutive weeks. Aerobic physical performance and cognitive function was tested with spiroergometry and the Stroop test. Blood samples were taken to measure hematological parameters and the peripheral serum BDNF-level. RESULTS: We found increases in the values of hematological parameters, the time to exhaustion in the load test and an augmented and sustainable improvement in cognitive function within the IG of the older people only. However, in both groups, the V˙O2max and serum BDNF-level did not increase. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, hypoxic training seems to be beneficial to enhance hematological parameters, physical performance and cognitive function in older people. The current hypoxic-dose was not able to enhance the serum BDNF-level or V˙O2max.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVES: Physical exercise, especially aerobic training, improves physical performance and cognitive function of older people. Furthermore, it has been speculated that age-associated deteriorations in physical performance and cognitive function could be counteracted through exposures to passive intermittent normobaric hypoxia (IH). Thus, the present investigation aimed at investigating the effect of passive IH combined with subsequent aerobic training on hematological parameters and aerobic physical performance (V˙O2max) as well as peripheral levels of the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cognitive function. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial in a repeated measure design. METHODS: 34 older participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (IG) or control group (CG). While IG was supplied with passive IH for 90min, CG breathed ambient air. Subsequently, both groups underwent 30min of aerobic training three times per week for four consecutive weeks. Aerobic physical performance and cognitive function was tested with spiroergometry and the Stroop test. Blood samples were taken to measure hematological parameters and the peripheral serum BDNF-level. RESULTS: We found increases in the values of hematological parameters, the time to exhaustion in the load test and an augmented and sustainable improvement in cognitive function within the IG of the older people only. However, in both groups, the V˙O2max and serum BDNF-level did not increase. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, hypoxic training seems to be beneficial to enhance hematological parameters, physical performance and cognitive function in older people. The current hypoxic-dose was not able to enhance the serum BDNF-level or V˙O2max.
Authors: Robert T Mallet; Eugenia B Manukhina; Steven Shea Ruelas; James L Caffrey; H Fred Downey Journal: Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol Date: 2018-04-13 Impact factor: 4.733
Authors: Stephan Pramsohler; Martin Burtscher; Martin Faulhaber; Hannes Gatterer; Linda Rausch; Arn Eliasson; Nikolaus C Netzer Journal: Front Physiol Date: 2017-07-20 Impact factor: 4.566