Objective: A correlation between physical exercise and cognitive improvement has been found in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study aimed to investigate the effects of aerobic and resistance exercise on the recognition memory and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in beta amyloid (Aβ) model of AD in rat. Materials and Methods: Fifty male 8-week-old Wistar rats (250–280 g) were divided into 5 groups (n = 10 each) of control, sham surgery, Aβ-received sedentary, Aβ-received with aerobic exercise and Aβ-received with resistance exercise. AD was induced by intracerebroventricular injection of Aβ_25–35 peptide. The sham surgery group received normal saline using the same route and condition. Two groups of Aβ-received animals were trained by treadmill for aerobic exercise and by ladder for strength exercise for 8 weeks (4 days/week). Novel object recognition (NOR) task was used to assess recognitional memory in groups. AChE activity in the brain tissue was assessed using the Spectrophotometry method. Results: There was no significant difference in memory index and AChE activity between the sham surgery and control groups (p > 0.05). Also, impairment of NOR indices was seen in the Aβ-injected sedentary rats (p < 0.05). However, both aerobic and strength training improved the exploration index in this test (p < 0.05). Further, AChE activity increased in the Aβ-injected sedentary group but declined in the aerobic and resistance exercise groups (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Aerobic and resistance exercise could improve recognition memory and decrease AChE activity in Aβ-induced AD in rats. The decrease in AChE activity may be one of the mechanisms by which exercise improves cognition and memory in AD.

The prevalence of dementia has substantially increased worldwide. Currently, there is no cure for dementia or Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and care for affected patients is financially and psychologically costly. Of late, more attention has been given to preventive interventions—in particular, physical activity/exercise. In this review, examine the risk factors associated with AD and the effects physical activity may play in the prevention of the degenerative process of this disease, loss of memory and cognitive performance in the elderly. To date, research has shown that physical activity, especially aerobic exercise, has a protective effect on cognitive function and memory in the elderly and Alzheimer’s patients. In comparison with aerobic exercise, several strength training studies have also shown positive effects, and the rare studies that compare the two different modalities show no difference.

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Background and aims: Primary hypertension, an unexplained increase in blood pressure (BP), accounts for 90% of the cases of hypertension and remains a critical public health challenge. This study aimed to investigate the effects of 12-week resistance training (RT) on some vasodilators and vasoconstrictors in hypertensive men. Methods: This is a semi-experimental study. A total of 40 middle-aged men (45.3±3.2 years) with moderate hypertension (systolic BP [SBP] 140.5±0.3 and diastolic BP [DBP] 90.7±0.0 mm Hg) were randomly divided into the RT (n=20) and non-exercise control (n=20) groups. The 12-week dynamic RT program was performed at an intensity of 80% of one repetition maximum for 3 days per week (3 sets of 8 repetitions/3 days a week). Blood samples were taken from both groups at baseline and weeks 4, 8, and 12. Results: SBP and DBP decreased by -8.19±2.46 mm Hg (P=0.039) and -1.19±0.02 mm Hg (P=0.033) from baseline at week 12 in the RT group, respectively, compared to the control group (SBP; 8.22±2.49, P=0.04; DBP; -1.19±0.03, P=0.032). Adiponectin, apelin, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) serum levels increased from baseline at weeks 8 (P=0.01) and 12 (P=0.01), while endothelin-1 (ET-1) and H2 O2 decreased from baseline at weeks 8 (P=0.01) and 12 (P=0.01) in the RT in comparison to the control group. Conclusion: Overall, 12-week RT led to an increase in apelin, ANP, PON-1, and adiponectin. Increasing these markers reduces H2 O2 and ET-1, thus decreasing SBP and DBP in hypertensive men.