Comparison of the effects of open vs. closed skill exercise on the acute and chronic BDNF, IGF-1 and IL-6 response in older healthy adults

Abstract

Background Accumulating evidence shows that physical exercise has a positive effect on the release of neurotrophic factors and myokines. However, evidence regarding the optimal type of physical exercise for these release is still lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the acute and chronic effects of open-skill exercise (OSE) compared to closed-skill exercise (CSE) on serum and plasma levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNFS, BDNFP), and serum levels of insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in healthy older adults. Methods To investigate acute effects, thirty-eight participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention (badminton (aOSE) and bicycling (aCSE), n = 24, 65.83 ± 5.98 years) or control group (reading (CG), n = 14, 67.07 ± 2.37 years). Blood samples were taken immediately before and 5 min after each condition. During each condition, heart rate was monitored. The mean heart rate of aOSE and aCSE were equivalent (65 ± 5% of heart rate reserve). In a subsequent 12-week training-intervention, twenty-two participants were randomly assigned to either a sport-games (cOSE, n = 6, 64.50 ± 6.32) or a strength-endurance training (cCSE, n = 9, 64.89 ± 3.51) group to assess for chronic effects. Training intensity for both groups was adjusted to a subjective perceived exertion using the CR-10 scale (value 7). Blood samples were taken within one day after the training-intervention. Results BDNFS, BDNFP, IGF-1, and IL-6 levels increased after a single exercise session of 30 min. After 12 weeks of training BDNFS and IL-6 levels were elevated, whereas IGF-1 levels were reduced in both groups. However, only in the cOSE group these changes were significant. We could not find any significant differences between the exercise types. Conclusion Our results indicate that both exercise types are efficient to acutely increase BDNFS, BDNFP, IGF-1 and IL-6 serum levels in healthy older adults. Additionally, our results tend to support that OSE is more effective for improving basal BDNFS levels after 12 weeks of training.

Effects of Sport Stacking on Neuropsychological, Neurobiological, and Brain Function Performances in Patients With Mild Alzheimer's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Regarding IL-6, our results indicate that the change of IL-6 concentration in blood serum increased in both intervention groups, whereas only changes from the MCI group became statistically significant. Consistent with the results of our study, Behrendt et al showed that both open and closed skill exercises were equally efficient in acutely increasing the IL-6 serum levels in healthy older adults (Behrendt et al, 2021 ). However, Forti et al ( 2014 ) showed results, contrary to ours, that IL-6 levels significantly decreased after 12 weeks of strength training in 20 older adults.…”

Recent advances on the molecular mechanisms of exercise-induced improvements of cognitive dysfunction

“…BDNF is produced in the brain, muscle and hematological system in humans. Current human studies mainly observe the increased level of peripheral BDNF after exercise [ 69 , 70 ], which may be released from the muscle. In animal studies, increased BDNF content and mRNA have been detected in the hippocampus after exercise.…”

Nutrient-Response Pathways in Healthspan and Lifespan Regulation

“…While a positive relationship between IGF-1 and hippocampus-dependent memory changes has been reported [56], this effect was independent of exercise, as aerobic fitness regimes did not increase the levels of the growth factor. In another study, it was reported that acute, rather than chronic, exercise led to higher peripheral IGF-1 levels [57]. However, it must be noted that, while in the acute regimen, samples were taken immediately after exercise, in the chronic group, sampling was done within a day.…”