Objective To determine the effect of aerobic exercise on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in people with neurological disorders. Data Sources Six electronic databases (CINAHL, PubMed, Cochrane, PsycINFO, SportDiscus, and Web of Science) were searched until the end of December 2016. Study Selection Experimental or observational studies of people with neurological disorders who undertook an exercise intervention with BDNF as an outcome measure. The search strategy yielded 984 articles. Data Extraction Study data were independently extracted from each article. Methodological quality of studies was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. A meta-analysis was planned based on the assessment of predetermined criteria. Data Synthesis Eleven articles were included. Studies employed either a program of aerobic exercise, a single bout of aerobic exercise, or both. A meta-analysis of studies comparing a program of aerobic exercise against usual care/nil therapy showed a large effect (SMD: 0.84, 95% CI 0.47–1.20, p < 0.001) in favour of aerobic exercise to increase levels of BDNF. Findings for a single bout of aerobic exercise were mixed. Quality of studies was low (PEDro average score 4.3/10). Conclusions A program of aerobic exercise may contribute to increased levels of BDNF in neurological populations.

Background: Sensorimotor adaptation, or the capacity to adapt movement to changes in the moving body or environment, is a form of motor learning that is important for functional independence (e.g., regaining stability after slips or trips). Aerobic exercise can acutely improve many forms of motor learning in healthy adults. It is not known, however, whether acute aerobic exercise has similar positive effects on sensorimotor adaptation in stroke survivors as it does in healthy individuals. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether acute aerobic exercise promotes sensorimotor adaptation in people post stroke. Methods: A single-blinded crossover study. Participants attended two separate sessions, completing an aerobic exercise intervention in one session and a resting control condition in the other session. Sensorimotor adaptation was assessed before and after each session, as was brain derived neurotrophic factor. Twenty participants with chronic stroke completed treadmill exercise at mod-high intensity for 30 minutes. Results: Acute aerobic exercise in chronic stroke survivors significantly increased sensorimotor adaptation from pre to post treadmill intervention. The 30-minute treadmill intervention resulted in an averaged 2.99 ng/ml increase in BDNF levels (BDNF pre-treadmill = 22.31 + /–2.85 ng/ml, post-treadmill was = 25.31 + /–2.46 pg/ml; t(16) = 2.146, p = 0.048, cohen’s d = 0.521, moderate effect size). Conclusions: These results indicate a potential role for aerobic exercise to promote the recovery of sensorimotor function in chronic stroke survivors.

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Sensorimotor adaptation, or the capacity to adapt movement to changes in the moving body or environment, is a form of motor learning that is important for functional independence (e.g., regaining stability after slips or trips). Aerobic exercise can acutely improve many forms of motor learning in healthy adults. It is not known, however, whether acute aerobic exercise has similar positive effects on sensorimotor adaptation in stroke survivors as it does in healthy individuals.PurposeThe aim of this study was to determine whether acute aerobic exercise promotes sensorimotor adaptation in people post stroke.MethodsA single-blinded crossover study. Participants attended two separate sessions at the university campus, completing an aerobic exercise intervention in one session and a resting control condition in the other session. Sensorimotor adaptation was assessed before and after each session. Participants were twenty people with chronic stroke. Intervention completed was treadmill exercise at mod-high intensity for 30 minutes.ResultsResults demonstrated that acute aerobic exercise in chronic stroke survivors significantly increased sensorimotor adaptation from pre to post treadmill intervention.ConclusionThese results indicate a potential role for aerobic exercise to promote the recovery of sensorimotor function in chronic stroke survivors.