Acute Effects of Circuit Training and Traditional Resistance Exercise on Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor (BDNF) in Young Adults

Jhaeden Bautista

Co-Presenters: Madhumitha Gayathri

College: College of Health Professions and Human Services

Major: BS.EXSC/PREAT/PT

Faculty Research Mentor: Ghimire, Pragya Sharma  

Abstract:

Introduction: Disease prevention and rehabilitation of bone and muscle tissue have been linked to physical fitness, activity, and health. Current research shows that exerkines impact metabolism, protects the nervous system, and support muscle growth and repair. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin important for cognitive function and neuroplasticity, produced in the brain. It plays a major role in survival, growth, and the formation of new neural connections, aiding in memory creation and storage. Recent research has shown that BDNF behaves similarly to myokines in regulating blood sugar and insulin response. Purpose: This study compared acute serum BDNF responses to circuit training (CT) and traditional resistance (TR) exercise protocols in young, healthy adults. Methods: In this randomized, repeated-measures crossover study, 6 men and 6 women completed the protocols across 4 visits. Participants performed two protocols separated by 2-week wash-out periods: 1. CT (cycle ergometer, push-up, step-ups, medicine ball twist, and front squats with kettlebell for three sets) and 2. TR exercise (3 sets, 10 repetitions, 80% 1RM for leg press, seated cable row, barbell bench press, kettlebell deadlifts, and dumbbell seated shoulder press). Blood samples were analyzed before exercise training (PRE), immediately post-exercise (IP), and 30 minutes post-exercise (30P) for serum BDNF using ELISA. Results: For BDNF, TR produced higher concentrations than CT in both sexes, with males rising from 0.479 pg/ml at Pre to 1.011 pg/ml at 30P and females increasing from 0.464 to 0.960 pg/ml, compared to smaller increases during CT. Conclusions: The increase in BDNF levels after the TR protocol could partially explain the higher mechanical and metabolic demand associated with resistance loading. Mechanistically, resistance training is known to activate MAPK signaling, which might upregulate BDNF secretions. Therefore, the increase in BDNF levels following the TR protocol in our study provides novel insight into its function as an exerkine with relevance not only to neural adaptation but also to bone remodeling. These findings support the growing concept of BNDF’s role in multiple signaling pathways and might represent a link between acute exercise loading and bone health.Key Words: Exerkines, Physical Activity, and Musculoskeletal Health