Effect of Aerobic and Anaerobic Physical Exercises to Brain Derived

Neurothropic Factor Plasma Levels on Mice

Iyakrus Iyakrus, Rostika Flora, and Januar Ikhsan

Magister Program of Sport Education Studies Program Sriwijaya University, Palembang, Indonesia

iyakrus@fkip.unsri.ac.id

Keywords: Aerobic and anaerobic physical exercise, Frequency, BDNF, Neurogenesis.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of aerobic and anaerobic physical exercise on BDNF

Plasma levels in mice treated with aerobic and anaerobic physical exercise with different frequency for 1

week. This research is an experimental laboratory.The design used in this research is Post Test Control

Group Design. Subjects used in this study were Mice, aged 6-8 weeks and 1 control group. Data were taken

by doing anaerobic physical exercise at a rate of 35 meters per minute for 20 minutes and aerobic physical

exercise at 20 meters per minute for 30 minutes. One way Anova test result showed that there was a high

increase in BDNF level of aerobic exercise group 1 times and 3 times a week compared with aerobic

exercise group 7 times a week and control group. Furthermore, there was a high increase in BDNF levels of

anaerobic physical exercise group 1 times and 3 times a week compared with anaerobic exercise group 7

times a week and control group. However, BDNF levels of anaerobic groups are lower than in the aerobic

group. The conclusions of this study showed that physical exercise resulted in increased levels of BDNF.

1 INTRODUCTION

Physical exercise is a physical burden on the body

and continuous through proper exercise program

(Flora, 2015). Aerobic exercise is physical exercise

that uses energy derived from aerobic metabolism or

metabolism that requires oxygen. In contrast,

anaerobic physical exercise is physical exercise that

uses the energy from anaerobic metabolism or

metabolism that does not require oxygen. This

means that almost all of the energy required for

muscle activity during physical exercise is produced

through aerobic and anaerobic processes (Fox, 1993;

Santosa, 2012; Flora, 2015). According to Santosa

(2012), the relationship between aerobics and

anaerobics is the basis of the division of sports in

accordance with the dominant exercise. It is called

aerobic exercise if during its appearance at least

two-thirds (70%) of all energy used is obtained

through aerobic exercise. This means a maximum of

only 30% which is an anaerobic exercise. In

contrast, anaerobic exercise, if during its appearance,

at least two-thirds (70%) of all the energy used is

provided through anaerobic exercise. This means a

maximum of only 30% anaerobic exercise that can

be covered by aerobic exercise.

Physical exercise may increase the expression

of the hippocampal BDNF and result in the

emergence of neurotrophic factors (Cheen & Russo,

2011). BDNF plays a major role in neuronal

plasticity. Physical exercise results in BDNF (brain

derived neurotrophic factor) upregulation that helps

increase the brain's resistance to damage and

neurodegeneration that occurs with age (Egan et al,

2003). Research conducted by Oliff et al, (1998)

mentions that an increase in expression of BDNF

mRNA 6 hours after physical exercise in mice

treated voluntary running wheel. Similarly, studies

conducted by Rhodes et al, (2003) mentioned that,

an increase in the concentration of BDNF and

neurogenesis in the hippocampus of mice who were

treated running wheel. There is a correlation

between the distance traveled with neurogenesis.

Research on humans conducted by Vega et al,

(2006) mentions that there is an increase in serum

BDNF in athletes who perform short term aerobics.

The problems of this study is whether there are

differences in BDNF levels between aerobic and

anaerobic exercise conducted during the first week

with a different frequency. The aim of this study was

to compare the effect of aerobic and anaerobic

physical exercise on BDNF Plasma concentration in

Iyakrus, I., Flora, R. and Ikhsan, J.

Effect of Aerobic and Anaerobic Physical Exercises to Brain Derived Neurothropic Factor Plasma Levels on Mice.

In Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Sports Science, Health and Physical Education (ICSSHPE 2017) - Volume 1, pages 211-214

ISBN: 978-989-758-317-9

211

mice treated with aerobic and anaerobic physical

exercise with different frequency for 1 week.

2 LITERATURE REVIEW

Physical exercise is a regular physical activity in a

certain period of time and intensity, which aims to

keep the body in order to always be in good health

and fit. Physical exercise is done by muscle

regularly, repeatedly and continuously (Flora, 2015).

Exercise is a series of organized and planned

exercise that people do consciously to improve their

functional abilities (Safari, 2011).

Based on the energy source that is used there are

two types of physical exercise is aerobic exercise

and anaerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise is a

physical exercise that depends on the availability of

oxygen to help the combustion process of energy

sources so that it will also depend on the optimal

work of the organs of the body such as heart, lungs

and blood vessels to transport oxygen to the

combustion process of energy sources to run

perfectly. Anaerobic physical exercise is a high

intensity physical exercise that requires fast energy

in a short time but can not be done continuously for

long durations of time.

Physical exercise will increase BDNF. BDNF

has been recognized as an important tropic hormone

in the regulation of neuron morphology and survival.

Endogenous BDNF is known to be involved in

cellular development and growth, mood regulation,

and cognitive functions such as learning and

memory (Schmolesky et all, 2013). BDNF is the

most common growth factor in the brain in the

central nervous system (CNS) (James, 2012). BDNF

is important for CNS development and neuron

plasticity. BDNF plays an important role in brain

development and plasticity. The results of a study by

Cruz (1999) that BDNF has a molecular weight of

32 kDa precursors and a 14 kDa adult BDNF

molecular weight. BDNF also has a molecular

weight of 27 kDa and originally derived from pig

brain that serves as a trophic factor for cells of the

dorsal root ganglia (Leibrock et al, 1989) and then

comes from the human brain (Barde et al, 1982).

Blaydes (2001) mentioned that serotonin, dopamine,

BDNF due to physical exercise will strengthen the

bond between nerve cells.

The formation of BDNF (brain derived

neurotrophic factor) causes neurons to work more

efficiently. BDNF is a neurotropin that acts as a

survival regulator, growth and differentiation of

neurons during development to the adult nervous

system. BDNF is not formed in the human brain, but

also in animals. Like animals Mice (Mus musculus).

There is a study of experimental animals conducted

by Oliff et al. (1998) mentioned that an increase in

expression of BDNF mRNA 6 hours after physical

exercise in mice treated voluntary wheel running.

Similarly, a study conducted by Rhodes et al (2003)

mentions that there is an increase in BDNF

concentration and neurogenesis in hippocampus of

mice that are fed running wheel. There is a

correlation between the distance traveled with

neurogenesis.

3 METHODS

This research is an experimental laboratory. The

design used in this research is Post Test Control

Group Design. Subjects used in this study were

Mice, aged 6-8 weeks and 1 control group. Data

were taken by doing anaerobic physical exercise at a

rate of 35 meters per minute for 20 minutes and

aerobic physical exercise at 20 meters per minute for

30 minute

4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Research Results

4.1.1 The Mean of Mice (Mus musculus)

BDNF Plasma Level in Control and

Treatment Group

The result of BDNF Plasma calculation after giving

the physical exercise treatment as follows:

Table 1: Average BDNF Levels.

Group

Mean ± Standard

Deviation (pg/ml)

Control

28,62 ± 11,53

Aerobic 1x

62,24 ± 17,28

Aerobic 3x

58,51 ± 10,76

Aerobic 7x

32,53 ± 5,89

Anaerobic 1x

45,38 ± 4,76

Anaerobic 3x

54,23 ± 7,47

Anaerobic 7x

34,36 ± 11,04

Total

Table 1 shows that there was an increase in mean

BDNF plasma levels in Mice (Mus musculus)

treated with aerobic and anaerobic physical exercise

once a week, 3 times a week and 7 times a week

ICSSHPE 2017 - 2nd International Conference on Sports Science, Health and Physical Education

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compared to the control group. Based on the

normality test that the average BDNF plasma level

of Mice (Mus musculus) in the control group,

aerobic and anaerobic physical exercise 1 times a

week, 3 times a week and 7 times a week normal

distribution (p> 0.05).

Then t test is not paired or independent sample

test T-Test to know the significant difference

between aerobic group, anaerobic with control

group. For the aerobic group the result was a

significant difference (p value <0.05) average BDNF

plasma level of Mice (Mus musculus) treated with

aerobic physical exercise 1 x and aerobic 3 x with

control group. There was no significant difference (p

value> 0,05) mean BDNF plasma level of Mice

(Mus musculus) treated with aerobic physical

exercise 7 x with control group.

For the anaerobic group the result was a

significant difference (p value <0.05) mean BDNF

plasma level of Mice (Mus musculus) treated with

anaerobic physical exercise 1 x and anaerobic 3 x

with control group. There was no significant

difference (p value> 0,05) mean BDNF plasma level

of Mice (Mus musculus) treated with anaerobic

physical exercise 7 x with control group.

Then to know which groups are different more

meaningful, then the next test Anova. Anova test

results between aerobic group and control group

showed that there was a significant difference (p

value <0.05) average BDNF plasma of Mice (Mus

musculus) level between aerobic exercise group 1

times a week, 3 times a week, 7 times a week with

Control group.

The results of Anova test between the anaerobic

group and the control group showed that there was a

significant difference (p value <0.05) the mean

BDNF plasma of Mice (Mus musculus) between the

anaerobic physical exercise group 1 times a week, 3

times weekly, 7 times a week with group control.

4.2 Discussion

Based on the above research statement, it can be

concluded that, the mean of plasma BDNF level in

the highest aerobic group is 1 x aerobic group (62,24

± 17,28). While the mean plasma BDNF levels in

the highest anaerobic group were the 3 x anaerobic

group (54.23 ± 7.47). However, plasma anaerobic

BDNF levels of 3 x (54.23 ± 7.47) were lower than

the 1 x azobic group (62.24 ± 17.28). According to

the researchers this happens because the treatment of

physical exercise there are acute and chronic and

depends on the use of exercise intensity, duration of

exercise and recovery period of exercise.

The results of treatment from each group

obtained the average concentration of aerobic

plasma BDNF 1x (62.24 ± 17.28) has a high value

due to aerobic physical exercise is acute. Charles H.

Hillman et al. (2009) suggests that acute exercise

effects improve neurocognitive function and have

the intensity and duration of exercise that improve

the cognitive functioning and nervous system of the

brain. Then the rate decreased in aerobic physical

exercise 3x (58,51 ± 10,76). This happens because

the mice experience a period of recovery or rest

periods. Then the rate decreased again in aerobic

physical exercise 7x (32.53 ± 5.89). This happens

because aerobic physical exercise is chronic. This

exercise is done every day without any recovery

period causing fatigue, dehydration and will reduce

the accuracy in doing physical activity (Flora, 2015:

43). Research Lawrence E. Armstrong et al, (1998)

mentions that the occurrence of fatigue during

physical activity due to various things, namely the

increase in lactic acid in the muscle, homeostatic

disorders, neuromuscular disorders and heat air

temperature.

Then, anaerobic plasma BDNF rate of 1x (45.38

± 4.76) has a high value because the anaerobic

physical exercise is acute. In this exercise there is a

time interval of 1 minute with a speed of 10 meters

per minute of the overall time. This exercise also

usually requires a rest interval so that ATP

(Adenosine Tripospat) can be regenerated so that its

activities can be resumed. Then again increase in

mean of 3 x anaerobic BDNF (54,23 ± 7,47). This

happens because the mice experience a period of

recovery or rest periods. According Cloud Cenedy et

al, (2008) that the intensity of aerobic and anaerobic

physical exercise that can improve physical fitness

and brain function if done routinely at least 3 times a

week. Furthermore, BDNF levels decreased

significantly in anaerobic physical exercise 7 x

(34.36 ± 11.04). This is because the physical

exercise is chronic and done every day without any

recovery period resulting in fatigue, dehydration and

will reduce the accuracy in physical activity (Flora,

2015: 43).

5 CONCLUSIONS

The conclusion from this study that physical

exercise resulted in increased levels of Brain

Derived Neurothropic Factor (BDNF) Plasma of

Mice (Mus musculus). This is proven based on

Anova test result which shows that there is a

significant difference (p value <0,05) mean of

Effect of Aerobic and Anaerobic Physical Exercises to Brain Derived Neurothropic Factor Plasma Levels on Mice

213

BDNF plasma of Mice (Mus musculus) between

group of aerobic physical exercise 1 times a week, 3

times a week, 7 times a week with group control.

Furthermore, there was a significant difference (p

value <0,05) mean BDNF plasma of Mice (Mus

musculus) level between physical anaerobic exercise

group 1 times a week, 3 times a week, 7 times a

week with control group.

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