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Enhancing cognitive function through blood flow restriction: An effective resistance exercise modality for middle-aged women

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Title: Enhancing cognitive function through blood flow restriction: An effective resistance exercise modality for middle-aged women
Authors: Dohyeon Lee, Kyeongho Byun, Sewon Lee
Source: Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness, Vol 23, Iss 4, Pp 405-414 (2025)
Publisher Information: Elsevier, 2025.
Publication Year: 2025
Collection: LCC:Sports
Subject Terms: Middle-aged women, Resistance exercise, Blood flow restriction exercise, Neurotrophic factors, Cognitive function, Sports, GV557-1198.995
Description: Purpose: Cognitive decline progresses more rapidly in women than in men, with a higher prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases observed in females. Exercise has been shown to enhance cognitive function through the upregulation of neurotrophic factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). However, high-load resistance exercise may not be suitable for all populations, particularly middle-aged women. Low-load resistance exercise with blood flow restriction (LLBFR) has emerged as an effective alternative. This study investigated the acute effects of LLBFR on neurotrophic factors and cognitive function in middle-aged women. Methods: Fifteen healthy middle-aged women completed a randomized crossover trial involving four conditions: control (CON), low-load resistance exercise (LLRE), LLBFR, and moderate-load resistance exercise (MLRE). Cognitive function was assessed before and after each session using the color-word matching Stroop task (CWST). Blood samples were analyzed for serum levels of BDNF, VEGF, and IGF-1, and lactate concentrations were measured to evaluate metabolic responses. Results: Only the LLBFR condition showed significant improvements in CWST reaction time (p = 0.002) with no changes in error rates, indicating enhanced cognitive performance. Serum BDNF and VEGF levels increased significantly following both LLBFR (p
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 1728-869X
Relation: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1728869X25000619; https://doaj.org/toc/1728-869X
DOI: 10.1016/j.jesf.2025.08.002
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/6a4e2b15c9304d9883a2bbe5dbc9b965
Accession Number: edsdoj.6a4e2b15c9304d9883a2bbe5dbc9b965
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
Description
Abstract:Purpose: Cognitive decline progresses more rapidly in women than in men, with a higher prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases observed in females. Exercise has been shown to enhance cognitive function through the upregulation of neurotrophic factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). However, high-load resistance exercise may not be suitable for all populations, particularly middle-aged women. Low-load resistance exercise with blood flow restriction (LLBFR) has emerged as an effective alternative. This study investigated the acute effects of LLBFR on neurotrophic factors and cognitive function in middle-aged women. Methods: Fifteen healthy middle-aged women completed a randomized crossover trial involving four conditions: control (CON), low-load resistance exercise (LLRE), LLBFR, and moderate-load resistance exercise (MLRE). Cognitive function was assessed before and after each session using the color-word matching Stroop task (CWST). Blood samples were analyzed for serum levels of BDNF, VEGF, and IGF-1, and lactate concentrations were measured to evaluate metabolic responses. Results: Only the LLBFR condition showed significant improvements in CWST reaction time (p = 0.002) with no changes in error rates, indicating enhanced cognitive performance. Serum BDNF and VEGF levels increased significantly following both LLBFR (p
ISSN:1728869X
DOI:10.1016/j.jesf.2025.08.002