Effects of a Single Bout of Endurance Exercise on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract

We aimed to investigate the impact of a single bout of endurance exercise on the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in humans and analyze how a single bout of endurance exercise impacts the peripheral BDNF types by age group. We performed a systematic literature review by searching PubMed, Elsevier, and Web of Science for studies that included a single bout of endurance exercise in the experimental group and other exercise types in the control group. Eight interventions were included in the study. Overall, a single bout of endurance exercise significantly increased BDNF expression (SMD = 0.30; 95% CI = [0.08, 0.52]; p = 0.001), which was confirmed in the serum BDNF (SMD = 0.30; 95% CI = [0.04, 0.55]; p < 0.001). A non-significant trend was observed in the plasma BDNF (SMD = 0.31; 95% CI = [−0.13, 0.76]; p = 0.017). The serum and plasma BDNF levels significantly increased regardless of age (SMD = 0.35; 95% CI = [0.11, 0.58]; p = 0.004; I2 = 0%). In conclusion, a single bout of endurance exercise significantly elevates BDNF levels in humans without neurological disorders, regardless of age. The serum BDNF is a more sensitive index than the plasma BDNF in evaluating the impact of a single bout of endurance exercise on the BDNF.

Examination of Serum BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) Levels in Judokas

“…Çalışmamızın amacı, son yıllarda hem sağlıklı hem de hastalıklı popülasyonlarda egzersize bağlı BDNF seviyelerini inceleyen çeşitli araştırmalar ışığında (23)(24)(25), haftada 20 saat yoğun antrenman yapan Türk milli judo takımı ile hareketsiz bireyler arasındaki bazal BDNF seviyelerini karşılaştırmaktır.…”