Acute and Chronic Effects of Combined Training on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels and Its Association with Anthropometric Variables in Overweight Men

Objectives: Physical activity, one of the most important factors affecting energy metabolism, plays an important role against obesity and being overwight. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, in addition to its role in the differentiation of neurons and synaptic plasticity, has a key role in controlling body weight and energy homeostasis through hypothalamus pathway. Therefore, this study addressed acute and chronic effects of combined training on brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels. It also probed the relationship between brain-derived neurotrophic factors and anthropometric variables including body mass index and fat percentage in overweight young men. Methods: Participants of the study included 20 overweightmenaging 20 - 25 with a body mass index of 25 - 30. Having been selected randomly, they were equally divided into control and experimental groups. Three times of blood samplings were done: before the start of training, after the first session of training (acute), and 48 hours after the end of the 8 week training (chronic). Combined endurance and strength trainings were carried out 3days/week for 8 weeks, as training in the first session started at 50% of intensity and it was progressively increased by 5% each week. Results: There were increases in brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in the training group after both acute and chronic exercise training. However, the concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels and anthropometric characteristics of the subjects were not correlated. Conclusions: It seems that brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels are affected by physical activity. An increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factors may result in metabolic and physiological changes within the body and have a protective role against inactivity-related diseases such as obesity.