Department of Physiotherapy, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, Poland.
Department of Bioenergetics and Physiology of Exercise, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.
Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023 Sep 11;14:1151184. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1151184. eCollection 2023.
Although impacts of physical activity on cognitive functions have been intensively investigated, they are still far from being completely understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 12 weeks of the Nordic Walking training with BungyPump resistance poles (NW-RSA) on the amino acid and kynurenine profiles as well as selected myokine/exerkine concentrations, which may modify the interface between physical and cognitive functions.
A group of 32 older adults participated in the study. Before and after the intervention, body composition, cognitive functions, and physical performance were assessed. Blood samples were taken before and 1 h after the first and last sessions of the NW-RSA training, to determine circulating levels of exercise-induced proteins, i.e., brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), irisin, kynurenine (KYN), metabolites, and amino acids.
The NW-RSA training induced a significant improvement in cognitive functions and physical performance as well as a reduction in fat mass (p = 0.05). Changes were accompanied by a decline in resting serum BDNF (p = 0.02) and a slight reduction in irisin concentration (p = 0.08). Still, changes in irisin concentration immediately after the NW-RSA intervention depended on shifts in kynurenine-irisin dropped as kynurenine increased. The kynurenine-to-tryptophan and phenylalanine-to-tyrosine ratios decreased significantly, suggesting their possible involvement in the amelioration of cognitive functions. No changes of glucose homeostasis or lipid profile were found. Shifts in the concentrations of selected amino acids might have covered the increased energy demand in response to the NW-RSA training and contributed to an improvement of physical performance.
Regular Nordic Walking training with additional resistance (BungyPump) improved cognitive functions and physical performance. These positive effects were associated with a reduced BDNF concentration and kynurenine-to-tryptophan ratio as well as changes in the amino acid profile.
尽管人们已经深入研究了体力活动对认知功能的影响，但这些影响仍远未被完全理解。本研究的目的是评估 12 周北欧行走训练（带 BungyPump 阻力杆的北欧行走训练，即 NW-RSA）对氨基酸和犬尿氨酸谱以及某些肌因子/运动因子浓度的影响，这些浓度可能会改变身体和认知功能之间的界面。
一组 32 名老年人参加了这项研究。在干预前后，评估了身体成分、认知功能和身体表现。在 NW-RSA 训练的第一次和最后一次训练前后，采集了血液样本，以确定运动诱导蛋白（脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）、鸢尾素、犬尿氨酸（KYN）代谢物和氨基酸）的循环水平。
NW-RSA 训练显著改善了认知功能和身体表现，同时减少了脂肪量（p=0.05）。这些变化伴随着静息血清 BDNF 的下降（p=0.02）和鸢尾素浓度的轻微下降（p=0.08）。然而，NW-RSA 干预后即刻的鸢尾素浓度变化取决于犬尿氨酸-鸢尾素的变化，因为犬尿氨酸增加，鸢尾素减少。色氨酸-苯丙氨酸和酪氨酸-苯丙氨酸比值显著降低，表明它们可能参与了认知功能的改善。葡萄糖稳态或脂质谱没有变化。所选氨基酸浓度的变化可能满足了对 NW-RSA 训练的增加能量需求，并有助于身体表现的改善。
定期进行带附加阻力（BungyPump）的北欧行走训练可以改善认知功能和身体表现。这些积极影响与 BDNF 浓度和色氨酸-苯丙氨酸比值降低以及氨基酸谱变化有关。
