Comparison of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) Responses to Different Endurance Training Intensities in Runner Men

• Main Authors: M. Habibian, A. Valinejad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Gonabad University of Medical Sciences (GMU) 2018-09-01
• Series: Ufuq-i Dānish
• Subjects: Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68019208]; Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68007334]
• Online Access: http://hms.gmu.ac.ir/article-1-2597-en.pdf

Aims: Blood neurotrophins, such as Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1), mediate exercise- induced health benefits in humans. The purpose of this study was to compare the response of BDNF and IGF-1 to different endurance training intensities in runner men. Materials & Methods: In this semi-experimental study with pre-test-posttest design in 2015, 10 people of male runners from Gorgan were selected through purposeful and accessible sampling. The endurance training protocol was 6 km running with moderate (70-75% of heart rate reserve) or severe (80-85% of heart rate reserve) intensity, which was performed within a week's interval. Fasting blood samples were collected before and immediately after both acute training sessions and serum levels of BDNF and IGF-1 were measured by ELISA and radioimmunoassay enzyme. Data were analyzed by SPSS 20 software using independent t-test and paired t-test. Findings: Both acute endurance training significantly increased serum levels of BDNF and IGF-1 in runners, but high intensity endurance exercises increased BDNF levels in comparison with moderate intensity (p<0.05), while no significant difference was observed between IGF-1 response to different intensities of endurance training (p>0.05). Conclusion: Serum BDNF response in endurance athletes is affected by the intensity of exercise, so that the effect of high intensity endurance training on BDNF levels is greater than moderate intensity exercise, but the response of IGF-1 to acute endurance training is independent of the intensity of exercise.