The effect of different types of acute exercise on serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and neurocognitive functions in veteran athletes

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effect of acute exercises of table tennis, running, and chess on the serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), irisin levels, and neurocognitive functions of veteran athletes. 10 healthy male adults and 30 veteran athletes (table tennis, long-distance run, and chess) aged 50-65 were included in the study as the groups of veteran table tennis (VMG, n:10), veteran long-distance athlete (VAG, n:10), veteran chess (VSG, n:10), and sedentary control (SKG, n:10). VMG performed acute table tennis (40 minutes), VAG performed running in the same amount of intensity and time, and VSG performed chess exercises at 70-75% of heart rate reserve (HRrezerv), while SKG was only rested. Before the exercises, blood samples were taken from the participants for serum BDNF, VEGF, and irisin levels, and then Stroop (ST), Trail Making A and B (IST A/B), Mental Rotation (MR), and Reaction Time (RZ) tests were performed, respectively. The same measurements were repeated immediately after the exercise. In the comparisons between the groups in terms of % variations obtained by subtracting the post-test values from pre-test values, the One-Way Analysis of Variance was applied in the variables with normal distribution, and Kruskal-Wallis analysis was applied in the variables with non-normal distribution. Bonferroni test was used as the multiple comparison test. In the comparisons within groups, Paired Sample T-Test was applied in the variables with normal distribution, and Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test was applied in the variables with non-normal distribution. P<0.05 value was considered statistically significant. In the comparison within groups following the acute exercises, a significant increase was determined in serum BDNF and irisin levels in VMG, while no change was determined in other groups. No change was observed in the serum VEGF levels in all groups. No change was observed in the RZ levels in all groups following the experimental intervention, while significant declines (better performance) in the IST B were determined. MR effective response performance displayed an increase in all exercise groups, while no change was found in SKG. A significant decline (better performance) in the IST A and ST 5 was determined in VMG and VAG groups, while no change was found in SKG and VSG. These findings indicate that compared to the only physical exercise-based aerobic running or only cognitive activity-based chess performed by the veteran athletes acutely, table tennis, which can combine these two types of exercise in a single activity, can provide a synergistic effect on the serum BDNF and irisin. Moreover, it was revealed that various types of acute exercises have positive effects on the neurocognitive functions of veteran athletes.