Abstract
Aerobic exercise improves cognitive function and adult hippocampal neurogenesis. However, the effects of aerobic exercise combined with strength exercise on cognitive function and adult hippocampal neurogenesis are still unknown. In this study, we established exercise paradigms in rats to mimic aerobic exercise combined with low- and high-intensity strength exercise. We found that aerobic exercise improved spatial learning and memory as well as adult hippocampal neurogenesis, whereas strength exercise suppressed aerobic exercise-induced cognitive improvements and adult hippocampal neurogenesis in an intensity-dependent manner. Furthermore, the levels of β-hydroxybutyrate (β-HB) and its downstream effector brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were increased in the aerobic exercise group, and strength exercise impaired the aerobic exercise-induced increases in β-HB and BDNF mRNA levels. Taken together, these results demonstrated that strength exercise weakened aerobic exercise-induced cognitive improvements and adult hippocampal neurogenesis in rats.
Highlights
Aerobic exercise is well known for its beneficial effects on cognitive performance [1,2,3,4]
The neural stem cells in the subgranular zone of the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) undergo a dynamic process, including proliferation, neuronal fate specification, neuronal migration, and synaptic integration [7]. These newly generated neurons in the DG contribute to memory formation [8] and spatial pattern separation [9], while reduced adult hippocampal neurogenesis contributes to stress-induced anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors [10]
We found that aerobic exercise improved cognitive performance and increased adult hippocampal neurogenesis, while aerobic exercise combined with low- or highintensity strength exercise decreased these benefits
Summary
Aerobic exercise is well known for its beneficial effects on cognitive performance [1,2,3,4]. Aerobic exercise refers to the use of aerobic metabolism to adequately meet energy demands during exercise This process reflects the delivery of oxygen in the blood, which is pumped by the heart and transported to muscles. The neural stem cells in the subgranular zone of the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) undergo a dynamic process, including proliferation, neuronal fate specification, neuronal migration, and synaptic integration [7]. These newly generated neurons in the DG contribute to memory formation [8] and spatial pattern separation [9], while reduced adult hippocampal neurogenesis contributes to stress-induced anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors [10].
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