Long-term high-intensity interval training increases serum neurotrophic factors in elderly overweight and obese Chinese adults

Effect of physical activity interventions on physical and mental health of the elderly: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

This meta-analysis aimed to systematically assess whether physical activity (PA) can improve physical health(PH) and mental health(MH) in elderly.

METHOD

To conduct this meta-analysis, four databases were searched from the start to October 24, 2024 (Web of Science and PubMed in English, CNKI and Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform in Chinese). Eligibility criteria included (1) study populations aged ≥ 60 years of normal elderly, with no gender restrictions; (2) the experimental group included PA interventions; (3) the control group consisted of non-PA interventions or usual activities; (4) assessment results from health evaluation tools and psychological scales; (5) the research design was a controlled experimental study. The Cochrane bias risk tool was used to assess the quality of evidence for each study. Among 4,151 potential related articles, 9 met the criteria for inclusion in this review.

RESULTS

The PA intervention shows a high degree of statistical heterogeneity in the overall results for the PH of the elderly (I²=93.8%, p < 0.01). The effect size of the PA intervention on the PH of the elderly is 0.86 (95% CI: 0.08, 1.64), which is statistically significant. Subgroup analysis showed that in intervention frequency, the heterogeneity for interventions less than three times per week is low (I² = 25.6%); in intervention duration, interventions lasting less than 30 min is relatively high, the direction of the study results is quite consistent. The overall effect size is 2.32 (CI: 1.45, 3.20), indicating statistical significance; in overall intervention duration, the overall effect size for interventions lasting less than 12 weeks is (CI: 0.08, 1.59), while the effect sizes for the other two subgroups include 0, indicating non-significant results. The overall results for the MH of the elderly also exhibit a high degree of statistical heterogeneity (I²=95.3%, p < 0.01). The effect size of the PA intervention on the MH of the elderly is -0.22 (95% CI: -1.46, 1.03), which is not statistically significant. Subgroup analysis also showed no statistically significant differences. The PH and MH of the elderly may potentially improve through PA interventions, although further research is needed to clarify whether these benefits hold clinical significance beyond statistical significance.

CONCLUSION

PA interventions with a frequency of less than 3 times per week, each session lasting less than 30 min, and a total duration not exceeding 12 weeks may be more effective in improving the PH of the elderly. This study did not identify the optimal dosage for improving the MH of the elderly. These findings highlight the potential benefits of PA for PH in the elderly but underscore the need for more rigorous studies to determine optimal intervention parameters and to explore the clinical significance of PA for both PH and MH.

High-intensity interval training exercise decreases brain CB1 receptor levels in male and female adult rats

The numerous health benefits of exercise are well-documented, including its efficacy in treating substance use disorders (SUDs). Several exercise regimens have been proposed; however, the most effective regimen for patients with addiction has yet to be elucidated. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) exhibits considerable potential compared to aerobic and resistance exercise. Dopamine signaling is recognized as a key neurobiological mechanism contributing to HIIT's therapeutic potential for SUDs; however, the role of the endocannabinoid system in this context is not well understood. The present study investigated the effects of HIIT exercise on endocannabinoid signaling by measuring cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) binding in the brains of male and female rats using [3H]SR141716A autoradiography. Male and female rats were separated into sedentary and HIIT exercise groups. For six weeks, exercise was completed daily on a treadmill for 30 min (10 3-min intervals) progressively increasing speed to 0.8 mph (21.5 m/min). The HIIT program significantly reduced CB1R binding in both sexes across multiple brain regions, including the striatum, thalamus, and distinct areas of the cortex. Sex differences were observed wherein males exhibited greater CB1R binding than females across brain regions, including the cerebellum, striatum, and parts of the cortex. Males experienced an increase in mean cerebellum CB1R binding due to HIIT, whereas females showed no effect in this region. The results suggest HIIT exercise can modulate endocannabinoid signalling by way of decreased CB1R binding. These findings further support the intensity dependence of endocannabinoid modulation and highlight potential pathways for exercise-induced neurobiological and behavioural change.

Effects of high-intensity interval training on physical morphology, cardiopulmonary function, and metabolic indicators in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Despite the growing attention towards the efficacy of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on older adult health, a consensus regarding the pleiotropic effects of HIIT in this population is yet to be reached. Previous studies have predominantly focused on specific outcomes or particular groups, lacking comprehensive analysis.

Objective

We aimed to conduct a systematic evaluation of the impact of HIIT on body composition, cardiopulmonary function, and metabolic parameters in older adults.

Methods

The databases searched included PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, WanFang, and other relevant sources from the inception of the database until July 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of HIIT on body shape, cardiopulmonary function, and metabolic parameters in the older adult were searched.

Results

A total of 87 RCTs meeting the criteria were included, involving 4,213 older adult people. Meta-analysis results showed that HIIT significantly improved body fat percentage (BF%) [MD: -1.63%, p = 0.005], maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) [MD: 2.46 mL min-1 kg-1, p < 0.00001], maximal heart rate (HRmax) [MD: 2.83 beats min-1, p = 0.02], and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels [MD: 0.04 mmol L-1, p = 0.002]. However, for systolic blood pressure (SBP) [MD: 0.49 mmHg, p = 0.60], resting heart rate (HRrest) [MD: -0.95 BPM -1, p = 0.24], triglycerides (TG) [tendency for MD: -0.02 mmol L-1, p = 0.61], low-density lipoprotein (LDL) [MD: -0.04 mmol L-1, p = 0.27] had no significant effect. Sensitivity analysis found that HIIT significantly improved waist circumference (WC) [MD: -1.89 cm, p = 0.17], diastolic blood pressure (DBP) [MD: -0.63 mmHg, p = 0.23], respiratory exchange rate (RER) [MD: 0.01, p = 0.20], total cholesterol (TC) [MD: 0.10 mmol L-1, p = 0.14], and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) [MD:-0.20 mmol L-1, p = 0.08], but the results lacked robustness. There was no significant improvement in DBP [MD: -0.63 mmHg, p = 0.23] and body mass index (BMI) [MD: -0.36 kg m-2, p = 0.06].

Conclusions

HIIT has shown certain potential and advantages in improving the physical health of the older adult, especially in cardiopulmonary function. However, more high-quality studies are needed to confirm the effects of HIIT on the physical health of the older adult in the future. It also provides a reference for the clinical practice and family health management of HIIT in the older adult and the development of HIIT guidelines.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/myprospero, identifier CRD42023460252.

Exercise training alters resting brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentration in older adults: A systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials

This systematic review with meta-analysis investigated the effects of exercise training on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in older adults. Electronic databases of PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus were searched for studies investigating the effect of exercise training ≥4 weeks on resting BDNF levels in older adults. A standardized mean difference (SMD) was generated through random effects model. Thirty-five randomized-controlled trials met the inclusion criteria. Exercise training significantly increased resting BDNF levels [SMD = 0.56 (95 % CI 0.28 to 0.85)] both in plasma (SMD = 0.63) and serum (SMD = 0.54). Regarding exercise modality, aerobic (SMD = 0.48), resistance (SMD = 0.76) and combined exercise training (SMD = 0.55) increased BDNF levels. Exercise training with the duration of 12 weeks (SMD =0.65), moderate-to-vigorous (SMD = 0.83) and vigorous intensity (SMD = 0.71), and 3-4 sessions per week frequency (SMD = 0.78) yielded the largest effects on BDNF elevation. Since BDNF represents a fundamental contribution in neuronal processes and is linked to brain health, exercise training may help delay aging-related neuro-degenerative processes. REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42024499195.

The Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels (BNDF): A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) alternates short periods of intense exercise with recovery, effectively enhancing cardiorespiratory fitness, endurance, and strength in various populations. Concurrently, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) supports neuronal resilience and activity-dependent plasticity, which are vital for learning and memory. This study aims to systematically review changes in BDNF levels in response to HIIT, with three primary objectives: evaluating the benefits of HIIT for BDNF modulation, assessing methodological quality and the risk of bias in reviewed studies, and identifying patterns in BDNF response based on HIIT protocols and population characteristics.

METHODS

Comprehensive database searches were conducted in PubMed and SPORTDiscus to identify relevant studies published up to April 2024. Given the diversity in study designs and outcomes, a narrative synthesis was performed rather than a meta-analysis. Bias was evaluated using visualization tools such as RobVis, and the review was conducted by a single researcher, which may limit its comprehensiveness.

RESULTS

Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria, with most indicating significant increases in BDNF levels post-HIIT, suggesting HIIT's potential to enhance neuroplasticity and cognitive functions. However, variations in BDNF responses were observed across different HIIT protocols and study populations. Some studies reported decreases or no change in BDNF levels, reflecting the complex regulation of BDNF influenced by factors such as exercise intensity, duration, and individual variability.

CONCLUSIONS

HIIT shows promise as an intervention for increasing BDNF levels, with potential benefits for brain health and cognitive function. These findings underscore the need for further research to confirm the optimal conditions under which HIIT can effectively enhance neurological outcomes. Future studies should explore standardized HIIT protocols and the long-term impact of HIIT on BDNF and neuroplasticity.

Effects of exercise interventions on brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in overweight and obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

/Objective. An explosion in global obesity epidemic poses threats to the healthcare system by provoking risks of many debilitating diseases, including cognitive dysfunction. Physical activity has been shown to alleviate the deleterious effects of obesity-associated cognitive deficits across the lifespan. Given the strong neuroprotective role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and exercise training as a known modulator for its elevation, this systematic review sought to examine the strength of the association between exercise and BDNF levels in healthy people with overweight and obesity.

Methods

Six electronic databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Ovid Nursing Database, and SPORTDiscus) were searched from their inceptions through December 2022. The primary outcome of interest was BDNF levels. Interventional studies (randomized and quasi-experimental) with English full text available were included. Risk of bias of the included studies was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database Scale. Data were extracted for meta-analyses by random-effects models.

Results

Thirteen studies (n = 750), of which 69.2% (9/13) had low risk of bias, were included. In the meta-analysis, exercise interventions had no significant effect on resting BDNF levels (standardized mean difference: -0.30, 95% CI -0.80 to 0.21, P = 0.25). Subgroup analyses also indicated no effects of age and types of control groups being compared on moderating the association.

Conclusion

To further inform the role of BDNF in obesity-related cognitive functioning, rigorous studies with larger samples of participants and raw data available were imperatively deserved.

Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on the Parameters Related to Physical Fitness and Health of Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

As a novel and time-efficient exercise form, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has shown great potential in improving health-related physical fitness among diverse populations. However, empirical evidence on its efficacy among the elderly has not been well summarized. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the effect of HIIT interventions on the parameters related to physical fitness and health of older adults, including resting heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), body mass index (BMI), body fat percent (BF%), waist circumference (WC), muscular endurance (ME), muscular strength (MS), muscular power (MP), balance and flexibility, compared to non-exercise and other-exercise (e.g., moderate-intensity continuous training, resistance training) conditions.

METHODS

Literature published from January 2000 to May 2023 was collected through extensive searches across eight databases and relevant review papers. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) featuring a minimum 2-week exercise intervention for older adults (≥ 60 years) were included. The pooled effect size of Hedges'g was estimated using random-effects models in R. Meta-regression was performed for both categorical (health status, duration of training programme, and frequency) and continuous moderators (mean age, male rate, and attrition rate).

RESULTS

Forty-four eligible RCTs with 1863 participants (52.1% female; 60.5-81.2 years) were included in the quantitative analysis. Compared to non-exercise condition, HIIT significantly improved resting HR (g = -0.36, 95%CI = [-0.67, -0.05], P = 0.032), SBP (g = -0.29, 95%CI = [-0.54, -0.03], P = 0.008), CRF (g = 0.77, 95%CI = [0.51, 1.04], P < 0.001), BF% (g = -0.26, 95%CI = [-0.41, -0.11], P = 0.006), MS (g = 0.47, 95%CI = [0.23, 0.71], P = 0.004), ME (g = 0.65, 95%CI = [0.10, 1.19], P = 0.036), and balance (e.g., timed-up-and-go) (g = -0.79, 95%CI = [-1.19, -0.40], P = 0.035). Compared to other-exercise condition, HIIT significantly improved resting HR (g = -0.11, 95%CI = [-0.21, -0.01], P = 0.029), SBP (g = -0.14, 95%CI = [-0.28, -0.01], P = 0.038), and CRF (g = 0.23, 95%CI = [0.07, 0.38], P = 0.008). No significant difference was found between HIIT and non-exercise condition for DBP, BMI and WC, as well as between HIIT and other-exercise condition for DBP, BMI, BF%, WC, ME, and balance (all P > 0.05). Meta-regression indicated that mean age moderated the HIIT effect on resting HR (b = -0.02, P = 0.014; HIIT vs. other-exercise condition) and SBP (b = 0.03, P = 0.048; HIIT vs. non-exercise), and attrition rate moderated the effect on CRF (b = 0.03, P = 0.007; HIIT vs. non-exercise).

CONCLUSION

This study supports the efficacy of HIIT in improving resting HR, SBP, CRF, BF%, MS, ME and balance among older adults. More empirical evidence is needed to determine the efficacy of HIIT for MP and flexibility in this population.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42022316246.

Exploring the Effect of Acute and Regular Physical Exercise on Circulating Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels in Individuals with Obesity: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Obesity is a major global health concern linked to cognitive impairment and neurological disorders. Circulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein crucial for neuronal growth and survival, plays a vital role in brain function and plasticity. Notably, obese individuals tend to exhibit lower BDNF levels, potentially contributing to cognitive decline. Physical exercise offers health benefits, including improved circulating BDNF levels and cognitive function, but the specific impacts of acute versus regular exercise on circulating BDNF levels in obesity are unclear. Understanding this can guide interventions to enhance brain health and counter potential cognitive decline in obese individuals. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the impact of acute and regular physical exercise on circulating BDNF in individuals with obesity. The target population comprised individuals classified as overweight or obese, encompassing both acute and chronic protocols involving all training methods. A comprehensive search was conducted across computerized databases, including PubMed, Academic Search Complete, and Web of Science, in August 2022, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Initially, 98 studies were identified, from which 16 studies, comprising 23 trials, met the selection criteria. Substantial heterogeneity was observed for both acute (I2 = 80.4%) and long-term effects (I2 = 88.7%), but low risk of bias for the included studies. A single session of exercise increased circulating BDNF levels among obese patients compared to the control group (ES = 1.25, 95% CI = 0.19 to 2.30, p = 0.021). However, with extended periods of physical exercise, there was no significant increase in circulating BDNF levels when compared to the control group (ES = 0.49, 95% CI = -0.08 to 1.06, p = 0.089). These findings highlight the need to consider exercise duration and type when studying neurobiological responses in obesity and exercise research. The study's results have implications for exercise prescription in obesity management and highlight the need for tailored interventions to optimize neurotrophic responses. Future research should focus on elucidating the adaptive mechanisms and exploring novel strategies to enhance BDNF modulation through exercise in this population. However, further research is needed considering limitations such as the potential age-related confounding effects due to diverse participant ages, lack of sex-specific analyses, and insufficient exploration of how specific exercise parameters (e.g., duration, intensity, type) impact circulating BDNF.

Effects of high-intensity interval training on depressive symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to investigate the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on depressive symptoms, including an examination of its impact across different populations, intervention durations, and control groups through subgroup analysis.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted using the following databases: Cochrane, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform. The search covered the period from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2022.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis included 34 randomized controlled trials, involving a total of N = 1607 participants. HIIT had a small but significant effect on depressive symptoms compared to the control group [SMD = -0.40, 95%CI (-0.60, -0.20), I2 = 73%]. However, subgroup analyses revealed no moderating effect of health status or exercise duration on depressive symptoms. HIIT did not have a statistically significant effect on depressive symptoms when compared with other types of exercise [SMD = -0.15, 95% CI (-0.30, 0.01), I2 = 10%]. HIIT demonstrated a medium effect size in reducing depressive symptoms compared to a non-active control group [SMD = -0.53, 95% CI (-0.84, -0.21), I2 = 80%].

CONCLUSIONS

HIIT confers benefits in mitigating depressive symptoms. Compared to non-active control group, HIIT yields moderate improvements in depressive symptoms. We look forward to exploring more moderating effects in the future, such as HIIT modalities, frequency, and so on. In summation, these findings substantiate the use of HIIT as a means to alleviate symptoms of depression.

Effectiveness of high-intensity interval training on peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor in adults: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has emerged as an alternative training method to increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, a crucial molecule involved in plastic brain changes. Its effect compared to moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) is controversial. We aimed to estimate, and to comparatively evaluate, the acute and chronic effects on peripheral BDNF levels after a HIIT, MICT intervention or a control condition in adults.

METHODS

The CINAHL, Cochrane, PubMed, PEDro, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from inception to June 30, 2023. A network meta-analysis was performed to assess the acute and chronic effects of HIIT versus control condition, HIIT versus MICT and MICT versus control condition on BDNF levels. Pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated for RCTs using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

A total of 22 RCTs were selected for the systematic review, with 656 participants (aged 20.4-79 years, 34.0% females) and 20 were selected for the network meta-analysis. Network SMD estimates were significant for HIIT versus control condition (1.49, 95% CI: 0.61, 2.38) and MICT versus control condition (1.08, 95% CI: 0.04, 2.12) for acutely BDNF increase. However, pairwise comparisons only resulted in a significant effect for HIIT versus control condition.

CONCLUSIONS

HIIT is the best training modality for acutely increasing peripheral BDNF levels in adults. HIIT may effectively increase BDNF levels in the long term.

High intensity interval training exercise increases dopamine D2 levels and modulates brain dopamine signaling

Background

Previous research has outlined the health benefits of exercise including its therapeutic potential for substance use disorders (SUD). These data have already been utilized and it is now common to find exercise as part of SUD treatment and relapse prevention programs. However, we need to better understand different exercise regimens and determine which would be the most beneficial for SUDs. Recently, high intensity interval training (HIIT) has gained attention in comparison with aerobic and resistance exercise. Little is known regarding the neurobiological mechanisms of HIIT, including its effects on dopamine signaling and receptor levels in the brain. The present study examined the effects of chronic HIIT exercise on dopamine signaling as measured by dopamine type 1-like receptor (D1R)-like, dopamine type 2-like receptor (D2R)-like, and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) quantification in the brains of male and female rats as measured by [3H] SCH 23390 and [3H] spiperone autoradiography, and TH-immunoreactive optical density values.

Methods

Rats were separated in two groups: sedentary and HIIT exercise. Exercise was on a treadmill for 30 min daily (10 3 min cycles) for six weeks with progressive speed increased up to 0.8 mph (21.5 m/min).

Results

Results showed for D2R-like binding, a significant effect across the ventral caudate putamen (V CPU) between sexes, such that mean D2R-like binding was 14% greater for males than females. In the nucleus accumbens shell (Nac Shell), the HIIT Exercise rats showed 16% greater D2R-like binding as compared to the sedentary rats. No significant effects of HIIT exercise were found across groups for brain D1R-like binding levels or TH expression.

Conclusion

These results suggest that HIIT exercise can modulate dopamine signaling by way of increased D2R. These findings support the premise that HIIT exercise plays an important role in dopamine signaling and, may provide a potential mechanism for how HIIT exercise can impact the brain and behavior.

Effect of exercise interventions on brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in people with overweight and obesity: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Epidemic obesity ('globobesity') has led to a considerable rise in the prevalence and incidence of many disabling conditions, including cognitive dysfunction. Recent evidence has suggested that habitual exercise can alleviate the deleterious effects of obesity on cognitive functioning across the lifespan. Given that there is a potential link among obesity, exercise, cognitive health and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), this systematic review aims to critically appraise interventional trials on exercise and BDNF and to estimate the pooled effect of exercise training on BDNF levels among healthy individuals with overweight and obesity.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Six electronic databases-PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Ovid Nursing Database and SPORTDiscus-will be searched from their inception through December 2022. Only interventional studies, including randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies, with full text available and reported in English will be included. The primary outcomes will be changes in BDNF levels among healthy subjects with overweight and obesity following either acute or chronic bouts of exercise interventions. Two reviewers will independently conduct data extraction and risk of bias assessment for included trials using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database Scale. We will produce a narrative synthesis, with findings categorised by sex, age groups and types of exercise training. Data will be extracted and pooled for meta-analyses using random-effects models.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

No formal ethical approval is required for this systematic review. The findings of this review will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42023414868.

Nutrition and exercise interventions to improve body composition for persons with overweight or obesity near retirement age: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

The retirement phase is an opportunity to integrate healthy (nutrition/exercise) habits into daily life. We conducted this systematic review to assess which nutrition and exercise interventions most effectively improve body composition (fat/muscle mass), body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) in persons with obesity/overweight near retirement age (ages 55-70). We conducted a systematic review and network-meta-analysis (NMA) of randomised controlled trials, searching four databases from their inception up to 12 July 2022. The NMA was based on a random effects model, pooled mean differences, standardised mean differences, their 95% confidence intervals, and correlations with multi-arm studies. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were also conducted. 92 studies were included, 66 of which with 4957 participants could be used for the NMA. Identified interventions were clustered into 12 groups: no intervention, energy restriction (i.e. 500-1000 kcal), energy restriction plus high protein (HP) intake (1.1-1.7 g/kg/body weight), intermittent fasting, mixed exercise (aerobic and resistance), resistance training (RT), aerobic training (AT), HP plus RT, energy restriction plus HP plus exercise, energy restriction plus RT, energy restriction plus AT, and energy restriction plus mixed exercise (ME). Intervention durations ranged from 8 weeks to 6 months. Body fat was reduced with energy restriction plus any exercise or plus HP intake. Energy restriction alone was less effective and tended to decrease muscle mass. Muscle mass was only significantly increased with ME. All other interventions including exercise effectively preserved muscle mass. A BMI and/or WC decrease was achieved with all interventions except AT/RT alone or RT plus HP. Overall, the most effective strategy for nearly all outcomes was combining energy restriction with RT or ME and HP. Healthcare professionals involved in the management of persons with obesity need to be aware that an energy-restricted diet alone may contribute to sarcopenic obesity in persons near retirement age. This network meta-analysis is registered at https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/as CRD42021276465.

Effects of Different Recovery Modalities on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, Recovery Perceptions, and Performance Following a Bout of High-Intensity Functional Training

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the foam rolling technique and static stretching on perceptual and neuromuscular parameters following a bout of high-intensity functional training (HIFT), which consisted of 100 pull-ups, 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, and 100 air squats (Angie benchmark) in recreationally trained men (n = 39). Following baseline measurements (Feeling Scale, Visual Analogue Scale, Total Quality Recovery, Sit-and-Reach, Countermovement Jump, and Change-of-Direction t-test), the volunteers performed a single bout of HIFT. At the end of the session, participants were randomly assigned to one of three distinct groups: control (CONT), foam rolling (FR), or static stretching (SS). At the 24 h time-point, a second experimental session was conducted to obtain the post-test values. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Regarding power performance, none of the three groups reached pretest levels at 24 h point of the intervention. However, the CONT group still showed a greater magnitude of effect at the 24 h time-point (ES = 0.51, p ≥ 0.05). Flexibility presented the same recovery pattern as power performance (post × 24 h CONT = ES = 0.28, FR = ES = 0.21, SS = ES = 0.19). At 24 h, all groups presented an impaired performance in the COD t-test (CONT = ES = 0.24, FR = ES = 0.65, SS = ES = 0.56 p ≥ 0.05). The FR protocol resulted in superior recovery perceptions (pre × 24 h TQR = ES = 0.32 p ≥ 0.05). The results of the present study indicate that the use of FR and SS exercises may not be indicated when aiming to restore neuromuscular performance following a single bout of HIFT. The use of the FR technique during the cooldown phase of a HIFT session may be helpful in improving an individual's perception of recovery.

Early Life Stress Affects Bdnf Regulation: A Role for Exercise Interventions

Early life stress (ELS) encompasses exposure to aversive experiences during early development, such as neglect or maltreatment. Animal and human studies indicate that ELS has maladaptive effects on brain development, leaving individuals more vulnerable to developing behavioral and neuropsychiatric disorders later in life. This result occurs in part to disruptions in Brain derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) gene regulation, which plays a vital role in early neural programming and brain health in adulthood. A potential treatment mechanism to reverse the effects of ELS on Bdnf expression is aerobic exercise due to its neuroprotective properties and positive impact on Bdnf expression. Aerobic exercise opens the door to exciting and novel potential treatment strategies because it is a behavioral intervention readily and freely available to the public. In this review, we discuss the current literature investigating the use of exercise interventions in animal models of ELS to reverse or mitigate ELS-induced changes in Bdnf expression. We also encourage future studies to investigate sensitive periods of exercise exposure, as well as sufficient duration of exposure, on epigenetic and behavioral outcomes to help lead to standardized practices in the exercise intervention field.

Very Low-Volume, High-Intensity Interval Training Mitigates Negative Health Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic-Induced Physical Inactivity

Initially, we aimed to investigate the impact of a one-year worksite low-volume, high-intensity interval training (LOW-HIIT) on cardiometabolic health in 114 sedentary office workers. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, LOW-HIIT was discontinued after 6 months and participants were followed up for 6 months to analyze physical activity/exercise behavior and outcome changes during lockdown. Health examinations, including cardiopulmonary exercise testing and the assessment of cardiometabolic markers were performed baseline (T-1), after 6 months (T-2, termination of worksite LOW-HIIT) and 12 months (T-3, follow-up). Cycle ergometer LOW-HIIT (5 × 1 min at 85-95% HRmax) was performed 2×/week. For follow-up analyses, participants were classified into three groups: HIIT-group (continued home-based LOW-HIIT), EX-group (continued other home-based exercises), and NO-EX-group (discontinued LOW-HIIT/exercise). At T-2, VO2max (+1.5 mL/kg/min, p = 0.002), mean arterial blood pressure (MAB, -4 mmHg, p < 0.001), HbA1c (-0.2%, p = 0.005) and self-reported quality of life (QoL, +5 points, p < 0.001) were improved. At T-3, HIIT-group maintained VO2max and QoL and further improved MAB. EX-group maintained MAB and QoL but experienced a VO2max decrease. In NON-EX, VO2max, MAB and QoL deteriorated. We conclude that LOW-HIIT can be considered a promising option to improve cardiometabolic health in real-life conditions and to mitigate physical inactivity-related negative health impacts during lockdowns.

A Shorter-Bout of HIIT Is More Effective to Promote Serum BDNF and VEGF-A Levels and Improve Cognitive Function in Healthy Young Men

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of single bouts of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with different duration on serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) levels and cognitive function in healthy young men.

Methods: Twelve healthy young men were participated in two HIIT treatments (20 min HIIT and 30 min HIIT) in a random order. BDNF, VEGF-A, cortisol, testosterone, blood lactic acid were measured and cognitive function was assessed by Stroop test (CWST) and Digital Span test (DST) before, immediately after, and 30 min after HIIT.

Results: 20 and 30 min HIIT increased BLa (both p < 0.01), cortisol (20 min HIIT: p < 0.05; 30 min HIIT: p < 0.01), and testosterone (both p < 0.05) levels immediately when compared with their baselines. While BLa and cortisol were significantly higher in 30 min HIIT group than in 20 min HIIT group. Moreover, BDNF concentration (p < 0.01), DST-F (p < 0.01) and DST-B (p < 0.05) were increased and response time of Stroop was decreased immediately after HIIT only in 20 min HIIT group. VEGF-A concentration was increased immediately after HIIT in both groups (p < 0.01), but after 30 min recovery, it was returned to the baseline in the 20 min HIIT group and was lower than the baseline in 30 min HIIT group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Twenty minutes HIIT is more effective than 30 minutes HIIT for promoting serum levels of BDNF and VEGF-A as well as cognitive function in healthy young men.