Chun-Chih Wang
Graduate Institute of Athletics and Coaching Science National Taiwan Sport University
Tai-Fen Song
Graduate Institute of Athletics and Coaching Science National Taiwan Sport University
Chien-Heng Chu
Graduate Institute of Athletics and Coaching Science National Taiwan Sport University
Yu-Kai Chang
Graduate Institute of Athletics and Coaching Science National Taiwan Sport University
The association between exercise and cognitive function, especially the exercise effect on improved cognition and delayed agerelated cognitive decline, has been widely documented. Recently, research has focused on the potential mechanisms underlying exercise and improved cognitive function. One of the mechanisms, the brainderived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), has attracted a great deal of attention. The purpose of this review is to describe the role of BDNF in the improvement of cognition function induced by exercise. Specifically, this review first introduces the background of BDNF, followed by a discussion of findings derived from both animal studies and human-result perspectives, and ends by providing some suggestions for future research. The review revealed that BDNF plays a significant role in the improvement of cognitive function through exercise, specifically, with regards to increasing neurogenesis, neurogeneration, cell survival, and synaptic plasticity, which enhances further long-term potentiation. In addition, based on successful animal experiments, research has expanded to human research and has further confirmed that both acute and chronic exercise are linked to an increase in BDNF concentration. However, the findings regarding the effects of different exercise types on BDNF concentration remain inconsistent, suggesting that more complex moderators are involved. In closing, potential moderators are provided as directions and suggestions for future investigation.
Keywords: brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), exercise, fitness,memory, physical activity