Acute effects of two different combined exercise modalities on executive function and circulating neurotrophic factors in young healthy adults

Yi-Hung Liao; Toby Mündel; Ying-Chu Chen; Shiow-Chwen Tsai; Kuo-Cheng Wu; Mu-Tsung Chen; Li-Chen Lee; Chih-Peng Su; Yu-Kai Chang; Chung-Yu Chen

doi:10.1007/s00421-025-05877-0

Acute effects of two different combined exercise modalities on executive function and circulating neurotrophic factors in young healthy adults

Eur J Appl Physiol. 2025 Jul 3. doi: 10.1007/s00421-025-05877-0. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Yi-Hung Liao¹, Toby Mündel², Ying-Chu Chen³, Shiow-Chwen Tsai⁴, Kuo-Cheng Wu⁵, Mu-Tsung Chen⁶, Li-Chen Lee⁷, Chih-Peng Su⁸, Yu-Kai Chang³, Chung-Yu Chen⁹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Exercise and Health Science, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei City, Taiwan.
² Department of Kinesiology, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada.
³ Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei City, Taiwan.
⁴ Institute of Sports Sciences, University of Taipei, Taipei City, Taiwan.
⁵ Graduate Institute of Sports Training, University of Taipei, Taipei City, Taiwan.
⁶ Office of Physical Education, Shih Chien University, Taipei City, Taiwan.
⁷ Department of Physical Education, Shih Hsin University, Taipei City, Taiwan.
⁸ Department of Sports Performing Arts, University of Taipei, Taipei City, Taiwan.
⁹ Department of Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Taipei, No.101, Sec. 2, Zhongcheng Rd., Shilin Dist., Taipei City, 111, Taiwan. fish0510@gmail.com.

PMID: 40608068
DOI: 10.1007/s00421-025-05877-0

Abstract

Purposes: This study investigated the effects of two different combined exercise modalities on executive function in healthy adults and observed the associations of potential biomarkers (i.e., brain-derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF; human growth hormone, HGH; insulin-like growth factor-1, IGF-1; and cortisol) on cognitive performance.

Methods: Twelve young healthy male adults were recruited and assigned to the following three experimental interventions in a randomized crossover manner: sitting control (SC), resistance exercise plus continuous aerobic exercise (RA) and resistance exercise plus intermittent aerobic exercise (RI). Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT) and blood collection were conducted before and immediately after each intervention.

Results: The results showed that both acute combined exercise trials significantly reduced SCWT-incongruent response time compared to the SC trial (RA: p = .015, RI: p = .014). The serum BDNF and HGH levels were significantly increased in both RA (BDNF: p < .0001, HGH: p = .004) and RI (BDNF: p = .013, HGH: p = .007) trials, and the serum IGF-1 level was significantly increased in the RI trial (p = .008). The changes in SCWT-incongruent response time were significantly associated with the changes in blood lactate (r = - 0.622, p < .0001) and RPE (r = - 0.364, p = .029) following the interventions.

Conclusion: Our findings indicate the beneficial effects of two different combined exercise modalities on executive function in these young healthy males that could be related to an increase in brain energy supply and arousal status.

Irb registration number: IRB-2021-011.

Keywords: Aerobic exercise; Blood lactate; Cognition; Concurrent exercise; Neurotrophins; Resistance exercise.

Grants and funding

MOST 110-2410-H-845-021-MY2./National Science and Technology Council