Effects of a physical exercise or motor activity protocol on cognitive function, lipid profile, and BDNF levels in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.

This study analyzed the effects of a physical exercise program compared to the complexity of the motor task on the cognitive function, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, and lipid profile of older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Twenty-seven participants were randomized into three intervention groups: Physical Exercise (PE), Motor Task (MT), and Physical Exercise associated with Motor Task (PE + MT). Six months of intervention twice a week resulted in improvements in cognitive function, total cholesterol (TC), and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) in the PE (p < 0.05). In the PE + MT, in addition to improved cognitive capacity, there was also a reduction in non-HDL cholesterol (NHDL-C) and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (p < 0.05), while in the MT, the values of TC, NHDL-C, and LDL-C decreased as a result of the intervention. BDNF levels were not affected by the interventions. In conclusion, PE alone or combined with MT is effective in promoting improvements in overall cognitive function and lipid profile in older adults with MCI; and BDNF seems not to be a sensitive marker for people with mild cognitive impairment.

Acute effects of the resistance exercise associated with different blood flow restriction pressures on bone remodeling biomarkers.

Background: The present study analyzed the acute responses of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP) to the low-intensity resistance exercise with blood flow restriction using different occlusion pressures. Methods: Twelve women completed the three protocols of this crossover study: resistance exercise without blood flow restriction (RE), resistance exercise with blood flow restriction and occlusion pressure corresponding to 70% of systolic blood pressure (RE + BFR70), and resistance exercise with blood flow restriction and occlusion pressure corresponding 130% of systolic blood pressure (RE + BFR130). All exercises were performed in a guided squat apparatus with load corresponded to 30% of one-repetition maximum test. Results: Relative to resting levels, PTH concentrations decreased significantly (p = .000) post-exercise in all groups and increased significantly (p = .000) 15 min post-exercise in RE + BFR70 and RE + BFR130 groups; PTH concentrations returned to resting levels after the 30-min recovery period in all groups. There was no significant difference (p >.05) between BSAP values at rest and 30 min post-exercise. Conclusion: In conclusion, our results showed that protocols with blood flow restriction using occlusion pressures equivalent to 70% and 130% of systolic blood pressure were more effective than RE alone to induce PTH peaks, and to promote a metabolic condition favorable to bone anabolism.