An investigation into the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness, cognition and BDNF in young healthy males

Abstract

Background: Recent investigations demonstrate that cardiorespiratory fitness may benefit brain health and plasticity with concurrent enhancements in cognitive performance; possibly via a brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-regulated mechanism. While a number of studies have demonstrated an increase in BDNF concentration post exercise the relationship between BDNF, cardiorespiratory fitness and cognitive function requires further investigation.Objective: The present cross-sectional study assessed the association between cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max), cognitive performance and circulating BDNF concentration.Methods: Thirty-nine healthy male volunteers (mean age 21.7 ± 0.5 years) participated. Cognitive performance was measured by reaction time on a standard detection task and accuracy in a n-back and Continuous Paired Associative Learning (CPAL) task. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed using a standardised graded exercise test. Plasma and serum BDNF concentrations were assayed by ELISA.Results: A significant negative correlation between VO2max and reaction time was demonstrated (p < 0.05). However VO2max was not associated with circulating BDNF concentration, or performance in the n-back and CPAL tasks (p > 0.05).Conclusions: Enhanced psychomotor speed was associated with higher cardiorespiratory fitness. In contrast to previous research no significant association between cardiorespiratory fitness and BDNF concentration was observed.