Impact of high intensity interval exercise on executive function and brain derived neurotrophic factor in healthy college aged males

• Published in: Physiology & behavior Vol. 191; pp. 116 - 122
• Main Authors: Slusher, Aaron L., Patterson, Virginia T., Schwartz, Charles S., Acevedo, Edmund O.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-07-2018
• Subjects: Brain derived neurotrophic factor; Executive function; High intensity interval exercise; Prefrontal cortex; Wisconsin card sorting task; High intensity interval exercise; Executive function; Brain derived neurotrophic factor; Prefrontal cortex; Wisconsin card sorting task
• ISSN: 0031-9384; 1873-507X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.04.018

Prefrontal cortex (PFC)-dependent executive function is enhanced immediately following high intensity interval exercise (HIIE). Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is considered a biomarker associated with enhanced execute functioning capacity at rest and in response to exercise. However, the mechanisms responsible for the acute exercise-induced BDNF response in plasma and serum differ, and it is likely that the utilization of BDNF in plasma and/or serum as a biomarker of improved executive function following HIIE may be limited. Therefore, this study examined the impact of HIIE on the plasma and serum BDNF response to understand the efficaciousness of BDNF as a peripheral biomarker associated with improvements in PFC-dependent executive function. Thirteen healthy males (age: 23.62 ± 1.06 years) participated in a randomized, counterbalanced study, performing the Wisconsin Card Sorting Task (WCST) immediately following a 5-minute seated rest (control) and participation in a HIIE protocol administered two weeks apart. HIIE consisted of ten maximal bouts of all out pedaling on a cycle ergometer for 20 s (separated by 10 s of active recovery) against 5.5% of the subject's body weight. Whole blood was collected for the assessment of BDNF in both plasma and serum. Compared to the control session, HIIE elicited significant improvements in WCST performance, yet improvements in PFC-dependent executive function were independent of BDNF concentrations in plasma and serum. Results from this investigation demonstrate that a single session of low-volume, supramaximal HIIE significantly increases PFC-dependent executive function, thereby providing additional evidence to support the powerful benefits on HIIE on cognitive functioning.
•High intensity interval exercise (HIIE) improves Wisconsin Card Sorting Task (WCST) performance compared to a seated rest.•BDNF, a key biomarker associated with enhanced executive function, concentrations increased in serum, but not plasma, following HIIE.•Improved executive functioning (WCST) were independent of circulating BDNF concentrations.•Improved WCST performance provides addition evidence to support the powerful benefits of HIIE on brain function.