OBJECTIVE:Blood neurotrophins, such as the brain‐derived neurotrophic factor, are considered to be of great importance in mediating the benefits of physical exercise. In this study, the effect of acute strength exercise and the involvement of small versus large muscle mass on the levels of plasma brain‐derived neurotrophic factor were evaluated in healthy individuals.METHODS:The concentric strengths of knee (large) and elbow (small) flexor and extensor muscles were measured on two separate days. Venous blood samples were obtained from 16 healthy subjects before and after exercise.RESULTS:The levels of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor in the plasma did not significantly increase after both arm and leg exercise. There was no significant difference in the plasma levels of the brain‐derived neurotrophic factor in the arms and legs.CONCLUSION:The present results demonstrate that acute strength exercise does not induce significant alterations in the levels of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor plasma concentrations in healthy individuals. Considering that its levels may be affected by various factors, such as exercise, these findings suggest that the type of exercise program may be a decisive factor in altering peripheral brain‐derived neurotrophic factor.

Objective Exercise is known to enhance circulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in healthy humans. BDNF changes have been measured in endurance but not in strength exercise. The present study aimed to investigate whether anaerobic activity such as sprinting differentially alters basal plasma BDNF concentration. Methods Brazilian sprinters (100 m) at either the international (Olympics and Outdoor World Championships) (n = 14) or the domestic level (n = 8), and sedentary subjects (n = 15), were recruited. Plasma BDNF concentrations were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results The basal plasma BDNF concentrations were signifi cantly higher in the international and the domestic sprinters than in the sedentary subjects. In addition, sprinters at the international level had higher plasma BDNF concentrations than those at the domestic level. Conclusion Our fi ndings suggest that increased basal plasma BDNF level is related to enhanced exercise performance.

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