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Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology 10/2019

01-10-2019 | Growth Factors | Original Article

Twelve weeks of resistance training does not influence peripheral levels of neurotrophic growth factors or homocysteine in healthy adults: a randomized-controlled trial

Authors: Kieran J. Marston, Belinda M. Brown, Stephanie R. Rainey-Smith, Sabine Bird, Linda Wijaya, Shaun Y. M. Teo, Simon M. Laws, Ralph N. Martins, Jeremiah J. Peiffer

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 10/2019

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Abstract

Introduction

There is growing evidence for a preventative effect of resistance training on cognitive decline through physiological mechanisms; yet, the effect of resistance training on resting growth factors and homocysteine levels is incompletely understood. This study aimed to investigate the effect of intense resistance training, for 12 weeks, on changes in peripheral growth factors and homocysteine in late middle-aged adults.

Methods

45 healthy adults were enrolled into the single-site parallel groups’ randomized-controlled trial conducted at the Department of Exercise Science, Strength and Conditioning Laboratory, Murdoch University. Participants were allocated to the following conditions: (1) high-load resistance training (n = 14), or (2) moderate-load resistance training (n = 15) twice per week for 12 weeks; or (3) non-exercising control group (n = 16). Data were collected from September 2016 to December 2017. Fasted blood samples were collected at baseline and within 7 days of trial completion for the analysis of resting serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), insulin-like growth factor 1, vascular endothelial growth factor, and plasma homocysteine levels.

Results

No differences in baseline to post-intervention change in serum growth factors or plasma homocysteine levels were observed between groups. A medium effect was calculated for BDNF change within the high-load condition alone (+ 12.9%, g = 0.54).

Conclusions

High-load or moderate-load resistance training twice per week for 12 weeks has no effect on peripheral growth factors or homocysteine in healthy late middle-aged adults.

Trial registration

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12616000690459.
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Metadata
Title
Twelve weeks of resistance training does not influence peripheral levels of neurotrophic growth factors or homocysteine in healthy adults: a randomized-controlled trial
Authors
Kieran J. Marston
Belinda M. Brown
Stephanie R. Rainey-Smith
Sabine Bird
Linda Wijaya
Shaun Y. M. Teo
Simon M. Laws
Ralph N. Martins
Jeremiah J. Peiffer
Publication date
01-10-2019
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 10/2019
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-019-04202-w

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