ArticleNeurobiology of learning and memory2018
The effect of energy-matched exercise intensity on brain-derived neurotrophic factor and motor learning.
Article in Neurobiology of learning and memory, 2018. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 12 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
12 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 41 citations in OpenAlex.
- Immediate effect of high-intensity exercise on brain-derived neurotrophic factor in healthy young adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Journal of sport and health science · 2022Pooled it
- The effect of physical exercise on circulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor in healthy subjects: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Brain and behavior · 2022Pooled it
- Investigating the Acute and Chronic Effects of Cardiovascular Exercise on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Early Subacute Stroke.Neurorehabilitation and neural repair · 2025Trial
- Enhanced motor learning and motor savings after acute intermittent hypoxia are associated with a reduction in metabolic cost.The Journal of physiology · 2024Trial
- Moderate-intensity cardiovascular exercise performed before motor practice attenuates offline implicit motor learning in stroke survivors but not age-matched neurotypical adults.Experimental brain research · 2023Trial
- Modulation of premotor cortex response to sequence motor learning during escitalopram intake.Journal of cerebral blood flow and metabolism : official journal of the International Society of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism · 2021Trial
- Gating of Neuroplasticity: Effects and Mechanisms of Acute Aerobic Exercise as a Brain Stimulation for the Sensorimotor Cortex.Advances in neurobiology · 2025Review
- Increased Salivary BDNF and Improved Fundamental Motor Skills in Children Following a 3-Month Integrated Neuromuscular Training in Primary School.Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology · 2024Article
- High-intensity acute exercise impacts motor learning in healthy older adults.NPJ science of learning · 2024Article
- Effects of positive social comparative feedback on motor sequence learning and performance expectancies.Frontiers in psychology · 2022Article
- Acute Aerobic Exercise-Induced Motor Priming Improves Piano Performance and Alters Motor Cortex Activation.Frontiers in psychology · 2022Article
- Current Methodological Pitfalls and Caveats in the Assessment of Exercise-Induced Changes in Peripheral Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor: How Result Reproducibility Can Be Improved.Frontiers in neuroergonomics · 2021Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
8 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundPairing a bout of high-intensity exercise with motor task practice can enhance motor learning beyond task practice alone, which is thought, in part, to be facilitated by an exercise-related increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The purpose of the current study was to examine the effect of different exercise intensities on BDNF levels and motor learning while controlling for exercise-related energy expenditure.
methodsForty-eight young, healthy participants were assigned to one of three groups: high-intensity exercise [High], low-intensity exercise [Low], or quiet rest [Rest]. The duration of the exercise bouts were individually adjusted so that each participant expended 200 kcals regardless of exercise intensity. BDNF was measured before and after exercise or rest. After exercise or rest, all participants practiced a 3-dimensional motor learning task, which involved reach movements made to sequentially presented targets. Retention was tested after 24-h. BDNF genotype was determined for each participant to explore its effects on BDNF and motor learning.
resultsAll participants equally improved performance, indicated by a reduction in time to complete the task. However, the kinematic profile used to control the reach movement differed by group. The Rest group travelled the shortest distance between the targets, the High group had higher reach speed (peak velocity), and the Low group had earlier peak velocities. The rise in BDNF post-exercise was not significant, regardless of exercise intensity, and the change in BDNF was not associated with motor learning. The BDNF response to exercise did not differ by genotype. However, performance differed between those with the polymorphism (Met carriers) and those without (Val/Val). Compared to the Val/Val genotype, Met carriers had faster response times throughout task practice, which was supported by higher reach speeds and earlier peak velocities.
conclusionResults indicated that both low and high-intensity exercise can alter the kinematic approach used to complete a reach task, and these changes appear unrelated to a change in BDNF. In addition, the BDNF genotype did not influence BDNF concentration, but it did have an effect on motor performance of a sequential target reach task.
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