Kurdi F.N., Flora R. The Impact of Physical Exercise on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic

Factor (BDNF) Level in Elderly Population. Open Access Maced J Med Sci 2019; 7(10): 1618-1620.

• This study focused on the effects of jogging for at least 15 minutes daily over 60 days on people aged 60 and above. It found significant differences in MMSE test results and BDNF levels between the exercise group and a control group without additional activity.

Håkansson K., Ledreux A., Daffner K., Terjestam Y., Bergman P., Carlsson R., Kivipelto M., Winblad B., Granholm A.C., Mohammed A.K. (2017). BDNF Responses in Healthy Older Persons to 35 Minutes of Physical Exercise, Cognitive Training, and Mindfulness: Associations with Working Memory Function. J Alzheimers Dis 2017; 55(2): 645-657.

• This research involved three different 35-minute training sessions (physical exercise, cognitive training, and mindfulness) with a minimum 5-day gap between sessions. The study, involving healthy individuals aged 65-85, showed that a single dose of physical exercise significantly increased BDNF levels compared to cognitive training and mindfulness.

Fleitas JC, Hammuod SFP, Kakuta E, Loreti EH. A meta-analysis of the effects of physical exercise on peripheral levels of a brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the elderly. Biomarkers. 2022 May;27(3):205-214. doi: 10.1080/1354750X.2021.2024602. Epub 2022 Jan 12. PMID: 35021939.

• This meta-analysis of 10 studies explored the influence of physical activity on BDNF in older adults. The findings indicated that physical exercises do not increase BDNF in those leading a sedentary lifestyle.

Zhou B, Wang Z, Zhu L, Huang G, Li B, Chen C, Huang J, Ma F, Liu TC. Effects of different physical activities on brain-derived neurotrophic factor: A systematic review and bayesian network meta-analysis. Front Aging Neurosci. 2022 Aug 26;14:981002. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.981002. PMID: 36092802; PMCID: PMC9461137.

• Analyzing various age groups, this review concluded that moderate-intensity aerobic exercise is most effective in increasing BDNF levels.

Ledreux A, Håkansson K, Carlsson R, Kidane M, Columbo L, Terjestam Y, Ryan E, Tusch E, Winblad B, Daffner K, Granholm AC, Mohammed AKH. Differential Effects of Physical Exercise, Cognitive Training, and Mindfulness Practice on Serum BDNF Levels in Healthy Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Intervention Study. J Alzheimers Dis. 2019;71(4):1245-1261. doi: 10.3233/JAD-190756. PMID: 31498125.

• This study compared the effects of physical exercise, cognitive training, and mindfulness on BDNF levels. The cognitive training group showed a significant increase in BDNF.

Tarassova O, Ekblom MM, Moberg M, Lövdén M, Nilsson J. Peripheral BDNF Response to Physical and Cognitive Exercise and Its Association With Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Healthy Older Adults. Front Physiol. 2020 Aug 25;11:1080. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2020.01080. PMID: 32982796; PMCID: PMC7477111.

• The study involved different combinations of physical and cognitive exercises. It found that pBDNF increased in response to cognitive training and physical exercises, while sBDNF significantly increased only after physical exercises.

Arazi, H., Babaei, P., Moghimi, M. i in. Ostre efekty ćwiczeń siłowych i wytrzymałościowych na poziomy BDNF i IGF-1 w surowicy u starszych mężczyzn. BMC Geriatr 21 , 50 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-020-01937-6

• This study looked at the acute effects of strength and endurance exercises on BDNF levels in older men. Both types of exercises resulted in a significant increase in BDNF levels.

Marinus N, Hansen D, Feys P, Meesen R, Timmermans A, Spildooren J. The Impact of Different Types of Exercise Training on Peripheral Blood Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Concentrations in Older Adults: A Meta-Analysis. Sports Med. 2019 Oct;49(10):1529-1546. doi: 10.1007/s40279-019-01148-z. PMID: 31270754.

• A meta-analysis that evaluated the impact of different types of exercise training on BDNF concentrations. It concluded that especially resistance and mixed training increased BDNF levels, while aerobic exercises did not have a significant impact.
  

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Cha HJ, Kim KB, Baek SY. Square-Stepping Exercise Program Effects on Fall-Related Fitness and BDNF Levels in Older Adults in Korea: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Jun 8;19(12):7033. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19127033. PMID: 35742280; PMCID: PMC9222997.

• This study assessed the effects of a 12-week square-stepping exercise program on BDNF levels. The experimental group showed significant improvement in the tests conducted.

These studies collectively suggest that various forms of physical and cognitive exercises can influence BDNF levels in the elderly, with some types of exercises being more effective than others.