Abstract
Acute high-intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE) induces the myokine secretion associated with neurogenesis, as well brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF); however, it remains unknown how the menstrual phase influences this secretion after an acute exercise session. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of HIIE performed in luteal and follicular menstrual phases on BDNF, cognitive function, mood, and exercise enjoyment. Fourteen healthy women completed four experimental sessions, randomly. One graded exercise test (GXT) and one HIIE session (10 × 1-min runs 90% peak GXT velocity [1-min recovery]) were performed for each menstrual phase. Blood samples were collected at rest and immediately after efforts, and the profile of mood states questionnaire (POMS) and Stroop-task test were applied. During the HIIE, subjective scales were applied (feeling, felt arousal, rate of perceived exertion, and physical activity enjoyment). The main results showed that the serum BDNF presented no difference between menstrual phases (p = 0.870); however, HIIE increased BDNF concentration in both menstrual phases (p = 0.030). In addition, the magnitude of circulating BDNF variation (Δ%BDNF) and dot{text{V}}{{text{O}}}_{text{2max}} demonstrated an inverse relationship in the follicular phase (r = − 0.539, p = 0.046), whereas in the luteal phase, Δ%BDNF was negatively correlated with time test (r = − 0.684, p = 0.007) and RPE (r = − 0.726, p = 0.004) in GXT. No differences between menstrual phases were observed for POMS (p ≥ 0.05); however, HIIE attenuated tension (p < 0.01), depression (p < 0.01), and anger moods (p < 0.01), independently of menstrual phases. The subjective scales and Stroop-task test did not show differences. In conclusion, menstrual cycle phase does not affect serum BDNF levels, cognitive function, mood, and exercise enjoyment. Contrary, HIIE increases peripheral BDNF and attenuates tension, depression, and anger independently of menstrual phase. In addition, Δ%BDNF was correlated with physical fitness in the follicular phase, exhibiting higher changes in women with lower physical fitness status.
Highlights
Physical exercise activates several metabolic pathways in skeletal muscle, and regulates the synthesis and secretion of molecules known as myokines[1,2,3,4]
The current study aimed to evaluate the impact of high-intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE) performed in the luteal and follicular menstrual cycle phases on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentrations, cognitive function, mood, and exercise enjoyment in healthy women
Data from the current work indicate that HIIE mitigates tension, depression, and anger measured with profile of mood states questionnaire (POMS)
Summary
Physical exercise activates several metabolic pathways in skeletal muscle, and regulates the synthesis and secretion of molecules known as myokines[1,2,3,4]. Begliuomini et al.[19] analyzed BDNF kinetics during the menstrual cycle in specific populations (ovulatory, amenorrhoeic, and postmenopausal women) and reported higher BDNF concentrations during the luteal phase than follicular phase; the same study found a positive relationship between BDNF and hormone concentrations expressed during the luteal phase (i.e., progesterone). These data suggest that the menstrual cycle (i.e., hormonal variation) directly impacts the brain (i.e., central nervous system) modifying BDNF concentrations. Considering that menstrual cycle may influence resting levels of circulating BDNF (i.e., higher concentrations during luteal than follicular phase)[16], it was hypothesized that HIIE would induce acute higher BDNF concentrations and greater cognitive function, mood (i.e., more vigor and less fatigue levels), and exercise enjoyment in the exercise session performed during the luteal phase compared to the follicular phase
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