Influence of Acute and Chronic High-Intensity Intermittent Aerobic Plus Strength Exercise on BDNF, Lipid and Autonomic Parameters

Abstract

The purpose of the present study is two-fold. First, we evaluated whether 8-weeks of combined training (high-intensity intermittent plus strength training) may change brain derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) and lipid parameters (triacylglycerol, HDL-c and non-HDL) in a fasted state. Second, we investigated the effect of an acute session of high-intensity intermittent exercise followed by strength training on systemic BDNF and lipid parameters pre- and post 8-weeks of training. Twenty-one healthy and physically active men were divided into two groups: high-intensity intermittent exercise combined with strength training (HSG; n = 11) and control (CG; n = 10). The HSG exercised for one minute at 100% of speedVO₂max (sVO₂max) interspersed with one minute of passive recovery followed by strength training (8 exercises with 8-12 repetition maximum loads) for 8-weeks. Heart rate variability, blood pressure, lipid profile, and BDNF concentrations were measured in the fasted state pre- and post-exercise and before and after the 8-week training period. After 8-weeks of exercise training, there was an increase in spectral high frequency component (ms²) and RR interval (p < 0.05), a decreased spectral low frequency component (nu) and heart rate values (p < 0.05), an increase in HDL-c (p < 0.001), and lower BDNF concentrations (p < 0.001). These results suggest that 8-weeks of high-intensity intermittent exercise combined with strength exercise is an effective protective cardio-metabolic strategy capable of increasing HDL-c and BDNF concentrations after an acute exercise session. In the long-term, the modulation on BDNF and HDL-c concentrations may be a determining factor for protection against neurological and cardiovascular diseases.

Keywords: HIIT; autonomic modulation; cholesterol; combined exercise; health; heart rate variability.

Figure 1.

Schematic showing the study design.

Figure 2.

A and B Mean and standard deviation of TAG and BDNF before (●) and after (■) 8-weeks of HIIE plus strength exercise. a = lower than post-HIE, pre-SE post-SE; and post-30 exercise session; b = lower than pre-training values. C and D Mean and standard deviation of non-HDL and HDL-c before (■) and after (●) 8-weeks of HIIE plus strength exercise. a = higher than pre training values; b = higher than pre-HIE, 30- and 60-min post exercise session; c = higher than 30-min post exercise session.

Figure 3.

A and B: RMSSD and SDNN recovery before (●) and after (■) 8-weeks of HIIE plus strength exercise. a = higher than post 5-10- and 20-min post exercise session. C and D: Mean RR and Mean HR recovery before (■) and after (●) 8-weeks of HIIE plus strength exercise. a = higher than all other time of measurement; b = lower than 20-, 25- and 30-min post exercise session; c = lower than 20- and 30- min post exercise session; d = lower than 25- and 30- min post acute exercise session; e = pre-training lower than post-training; f = lower than all other time of measurement g= higher than 25- and 30-min post exercise session; h = higher than 25- and 30-min post exercise session; I = higher than 30-min post-exercise session; j = post lower than pre-training.

Figure 4.

A and B: HF before (●) and after (■) 8-weeks of HIIE plus strength exercise. a = lower than 30-min post exercise session; b = higher than 10-, 20- and 30-min post exercise session. C and D: LF before (■) and after (●) 8-weeks of HIIE plus strength exercise. a = lower than 10 and 20-min post exercise session. E: Behavior of LF/HF ratio before (■) and after (●) 8-weeks of HIIE plus strength exercise.