Feng-Ying Chou
Rehabilitation Center, Chi Mei Hospital
Chia-Liang Tsai
Institute of Physical Education, Health and Leisure Studies,National Cheng Kung University
Exercise can facilitate cognitive function and nervous systems in the brain. With regard to endurance exercise, the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) could be a potential influencing mechanism. However, such a statement remains speculative. Therefore, the present study reviews previous studies regarding the relationship between exercise and BDNF to clarify whether the BDNF could be a mediator between endurance exercise and cognitive functioning. The contents are divided into three sections: (1) the influence of endurance-exercise intervention on BDNF;(2) the role of exercise habits or other factors on the BDNF; and (3) endurance exercise, BDNF, and cognitive function. Through literature review, the following conclusions and suggestions are: First, acute endurance exercise can increase BDNF levels via moderate-to-high-intensity exercise. However, such an effect is transient. Only regular long-term exercise can effectively enhance the basal levels of BDNF. The potential mechanism of the beneficial effects of different exercise-intervention modes (e.g., acute and chronic exercise) on cognitive functioning is thus worth consideration. Second, aside from endurance exercise, external factors (e.g., age and body mass index) also significantly influence the levels of BDNF. Therefore, if we want to investigate the association between endurance exercise and cognitive function from the perspective of the BDNF, these external factors should be rigorously controlled. Third, increased levels of BDNF could be a critical mediator between memory and learning among the domains of cognitive control.
Keywords: brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neural plasticity, memory, learning, endurance exercise