The Effect of Physical Exercise on the Retina and Choroid

Szalai, Irén; Pálya, Fanni; Csorba, Anita; Tóth, Miklós; Somfai, Gábor Márk

doi:10.1055/a-1101-9288

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 25 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The choroid neither seem to play a role in these changes nor it shows any acute alterations due to heavy physical strain, suggesting physiological processes maintaining constant morphological parameters under such conditions. The relevance of our findings remains so far unclear; we believe that acute retinal effects of physical activity and regular exercise may play an important role in maintaining eye health and thus may chronically lead to an entity that could be described as the “trained eye” [ 54 ], similarly to that referred to as the “trained heart” in cardiology. However, our theory warrants further investigation in the future in a larger cohort and in a prospective manner, including subjects with retinal pathologies, as well.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The assessment of acute chorioretinal changes due to intensive physical exercise in young adults

et al. 2022

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose There is abundant evidence on the benefits of physical activity on cardiovascular health. However, there are only few data on the acute effects of physical exercise on the retina and choroid. Our aim was the in vivo examination of chorioretinal alterations following short intense physical activity by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Methods Twenty-one eyes of 21 healthy, young subjects (mean age 22.5 ± 4.1 years, 15 males and 6 females) were recruited. Macular scanning with a SD-OCT was performed before and following a vita maxima-type physical strain exercise on a rowing ergometer until complete fatigue. Follow-up OCT scans were performed 1, 5, 15, 30 and 60 minutes following the exercise. The OCT images were exported and analyzed using our custom-built OCTRIMA 3D software and the thickness of 7 retinal layers was calculated, along with semi-automated measurement of the choroidal thickness. One-way ANOVA analysis was performed followed by Dunnett post hoc test for the thickness change compared to baseline and the correlation between performance and thickness change has also been calculated. The level of significance was set at 0.001. Results We observed a significant thinning of the total retina 1 minute post-exercise (-7.3 ± 0.6 μm, p < 0.001) which was followed by a significant thickening by 5 and 15 minutes (+3.6 ± 0.6 μm and +4.0 ± 0.6 μm, respectively, both p <0.001). Post-exercise retinal thickness returned to baseline by 30 minutes. This trend was present throughout the most layers of the retina, with significant changes in the ganglion cell–inner plexiform layer complex, (-1.3 ± 0.1 μm, +0.6 ± 0.1 μm and +0.7 ± 0.1 μm, respectively, p <0.001 for all), in the inner nuclear layer at 1 and 5 minutes (-0.8 ± 0.1 μm and +0.8 ± 0.1 μm, respectively, p <0.001 for both), in the outer nuclear layer–photoreceptor inner segment complex at 5 minute (+2.3 ± 0.4 μm, p <0.001 for all) and in the interdigitation zone–retinal pigment epithelium complex at 1 and 15 minutes (-3.3 ± 0.4 μm and +1.8 ± 0.4 μm, respectively, p <0.001 for both). There was no significant change in choroidal thickness; however, we could detect a tendency towards thinning at 1, 15, and 30 minutes following exercise. The observed changes in thickness change did not correlate with performance. Similar trends were observed in both professional and amateur sportsmen (n = 15 and n = 6, respectively). The absolute changes in choroidal thickness did not show any correlation with the thickness changes of the intraretinal layers. Conclusions Our study implies that in young adults, intense physical exercise has an acute effect on the granular layers of the retina, resulting in thinning followed by rebound thickening before normalization. We could not identify any clear correlation with either choroidal changes or performance that might explain our observations, and hence the exact mechanism warrants further clarification. We believe that a combination of vascular and mechanic changes is behind the observed trends.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The assessment of acute chorioretinal changes due to intensive physical exercise in young adults

et al. 2022

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Szalai et al (2020) coined the term "trained eye," similar to the term "trained heart" used in cardiology to emphasize the beneficial effects of physical exercise on not only heart health but also on the visual system as well [34]. In a review conducted by Li et al (2019), they further looked at the protective effects of physical activity on retinal health and found promising beneficial effects for this treatment and preventative modality [35].…”

Section: Protective Effect Of Exercise On the Retinamentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical Activity Status and Diabetic Retinopathy: A Review

AlQabandi¹,

Nandula²,

Boddepalli³

et al. 2022

Cureus

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Substantial evidence highlights the association between physical inactivity and diabetes onset and complications. Little is known regarding the link between physical inactivity and diabetic retinopathy in terms of onset, progression, and severity. This review aims to investigate these associations and understand the underlying mechanisms behind these associations. Decreased sedentary times and the inclusion of more physical activity have been linked to the delayed onset and progression of diabetic retinopathy and less severe forms of said condition. Physical activity provides both protective and anti-inflammatory effects on the retina. Further research is needed to understand and elucidate the exact mechanisms by which lack of physical activity affects retinal health and the onset, progression, and severity of diabetic retinopathy.

show abstract

“…For instance, regular physical activity enhances insulin sensitivity, increases cardiorespiratory fitness, improves glycemic control, reduces the risk of cardiovascular mortality, and enhances psychosocial well-being (13). The term "trained eye", akin to the phrase "trained heart" used in cardiology, highlights the positive effects of physical activity on not only the health of the eye, but also on the eye and the visual system (48).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficacy of a physical activity regimen on visual outcomes among persons newly diagnosed with abnormal glucose tolerance: Study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial

Antiri,

Hormenu,

Ansah

et al. 2024

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Abnormal Glucose Tolerance (AGT), which encompasses diabetes and prediabetes, is a growing health problem globally. It is affecting millions and predisposing such patients to several complications, including ocular complications. Physical activity has been found to improve glycemic levels, but the specific effect on visual outcomes in a newly diagnosed African population with AGT is yet to be explored fully. This pilot randomized controlled trial seeks to evaluate the efficacy of a physical activity intervention among newly diagnosed persons with AGT in Cape Coast, Ghana. Methods: An ostensibly healthy population will be screened for AGT. Persons newly diagnosed with AGT will be recruited into the randomized controlled trial. About 50 newly diagnosed participants with AGT will undergo a 12-week moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) intervention, specifically exercises that burn more than 3.0 metabolic equivalents (METs), to ascertain its effect on their visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, central visual field and diabetic retinopathy status. The participants will be randomized into a physical activity intervention group and a control group. Assessments will be done at baseline, and treatment outcomes will be done on the last day of the intervention for each participant. Discussion: Physical activity is a proven lifestyle intervention that reduces glycemic levels in people with AGT. Unfortunately, many persons are unaware of their high level of glucose tolerance, which is associated with the deterioration of vision. This study intends to investigate and present findings on the advantages of physical activity interventions on visual outcomes among people with AGT. The study holds promise in informing evidence-based interventions for persons with AGT in poor economies. Clinical trial registration This trial has been registered with the Pan African Clinical Trails Registry with the identifier: PACTR202401462338744

show abstract

The Effect of Physical Exercise on the Retina and Choroid

Cited by 4 publications

References 25 publications

The assessment of acute chorioretinal changes due to intensive physical exercise in young adults

The assessment of acute chorioretinal changes due to intensive physical exercise in young adults

Physical Activity Status and Diabetic Retinopathy: A Review

Efficacy of a physical activity regimen on visual outcomes among persons newly diagnosed with abnormal glucose tolerance: Study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About