Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Cognitive Function and Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor in Young Adults

University of Southern Denmark (SDU)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Physical Conditioning, Human; Cognition

Treatments: Behavioral: High intensity aerobic exercise; Behavioral: Low intensity aerobic exercise

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02075944

S-20130171

Details and patient eligibility

About

The present study will investigate the effects of aerobic exercise on cognition and growth factors including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in young adults aged 15-21 years. The included subjects will be randomized to three different groups including one control group and two exercise groups. Subjects randomized to the exercise groups will complete 30 minutes of aerobic exercise 3 times a week for 9 weeks incorporating low (group I) or high (group II) intensity aerobic exercise. The exercise will be conducted as running or indoor cycling (supervised). At baseline and 9-weeks follow-up all subjects will complete two cognitive tests (measures of concentration and sustained attention), a maximal cycling test (direct measures of VO2max), an intelligence quotient test, anthropometric measures, fasting blood samples and blood samples immediately following the cycling test. The blood samples will be analyzed for growth factors including BDNF and metabolic factors.

Enrollment: 130 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 15 to 21 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• age 15-21

Exclusion criteria

• injury preventing one from being physically active

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Factorial Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

---

130 participants in 3 patient groups

High intensity aerobic exercise

Experimental group

Description:

30 minutes of high intensity aerobic exercise 3 times a weeks for 9 weeks - incorporation interval training

Treatment:

Behavioral: High intensity aerobic exercise

Low intensity aerobic exercise

Experimental group

Description:

30 minutes of low intensity aerobic exercise 3 times a weeks for 9 weeks

Treatment:

Behavioral: Low intensity aerobic exercise

Control

No Intervention group

Description:

No intervention. Participants are told not to make any changes in their everyday life