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Objective To analyze if aerobic capacity is related to Birth Weight and breastfeeding patterns in boys and girls, products of a term pregnancy and normal weight. Methods A representative sample of 230 Brazilian children (6-10 years old), born at term (after 37-weeks’ gestation) with normal weight (between 2.5 and 4.0kg). These children performed a Yo-Yo Test to estimate their aerobic capacity and mothers reported their children’s Birth Weight and breastfeeding patterns. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to measure the association between aerobic capacity with Birth Weight and breastfeeding patterns. Results We did not observe any significant associations between aerobic capacity with Birth Weight and breastfeeding time in either sexes (p>0.05). Conclusion These results indicate that aerobic capacity is not related with Birth Weight or breastfeeding time in children born with normal weight and gestational age, suggesting that this complex physiological parameter does not appear to be determined by intrauterine factors that dictate the Birth Weight and breastfeeding patterns in the beginning of life.

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Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) affects many cognitive functions and aerobic plus resistance exercise training, named combined training (CT), by improving metabolic control may mitigate or reverse the cognitive impairment T2DM-related. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a substantial role in cognitive functions. However, the effects of CT on BDNF levels of T2DM subjects are poorly known.Aim: This study analyzed the effects of 8 weeks of CT on circulating BDNF levels and assessed whether plasmatic BDNF levels were related to CT-induced improvements in executive functions and long-term memory of T2DM subjects.Methods: Thirty-five (63 ± 8 years old) T2DM subjects of both sexes entered into CT (n = 17, thrice-weekly during 8 weeks) or control group (CONT, n = 18). Executive functions (measured through Trail making test, Stroop color task, and Digit Span), long-term memory (measured through the simplified version of Taylor Complex Figure Test), and blood samples were evaluated pre- and post-intervention.Results: Pre-CT plasma BDNF levels were positively related to CT-induced improvements on executive functions composite z-score (r = 0.71), inhibitory control (r = 0.58) and cognitive flexibility (r = 0.56), but not to long-term memory. Plasma BDNF levels were not statistically changed (pre-CT: 179 ± 88 pg/ml; post-CT: 148 ± 108 pg/ml; pre-CONT: 163 ± 71 pg/ml; post-CONT: 141 ± 84 pg/ml, p > 0.05).Conclusion: Higher pre-training BDNF levels might be a potentializing factor of the training-induced improvements on executive functions, independently of the training-alterations in resting BDNF levels of T2DM subjects.

Background: Type 2 diabetes provoke executive and long-term memory decrements, and aerobic plus resistance exercise training (combined training) may alleviate this type 2 diabetes-related cognitive impairment. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels have been related to cognitive performance. Aim: To analyze the effects of 8-week combined training on executive functions and circulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels of T2DM subjects. Also, to verify the association between brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels and combined training-induced changes in executive functions and long-term memory. Methods: Thirty-five (63 ± 8 years old) subjects of both sexes were allocated to combined training (n=17, thrice-weekly during eight weeks) or control group (n=18). Executive functions (evaluated through Trail making test, Stroop color task, and Digit Span), long-term memory (evaluated through the Taylor Complex Figure Test simplified), and plasma samples were compared pre- and post-intervention. Results: Combined training improved executive function z-score compared to control (d= 1.31). Otherwise, brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels were not statistically altered (combined training group: 179±88 pg/ml vs. 148±108 pg/ml; control group: 163±71 pg/ml vs. 141±84 pg/ml, p>0.05). However, pre-training brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels explained 50.4% the longitudinal improvements on composite executive function z-score (r= 0.71, p<0.01), 33.6% of inhibitory control (r= 0.58; p=0.02) and 31.4% of cognitive flexibility (r= 0.56, p=0.04) in combined training group. Conclusion: Combined training improved executive functions independently of alterations in resting brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels after 8 weeks. Furthermore, pre-training brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels explained one-half of the variance in CT-induced improvements in executive functions.

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