Effect of Exercise Intensity on Neurotrophic Factors and Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability Induced by Oxidative-Nitrosative Stress in Male College Students.

We investigated the effects of aerobic exercise intensity on oxidative-nitrosative stress, neurotrophic factor expression, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. Fifteen healthy men performed treadmill running under low-intensity (LI), moderate-intensity (MI), and high-intensity (HI) conditions. Blood samples were collected immediately before exercise (IBE), immediately after exercise (IAE), and 60 min after exercise (60MAE) to examine oxidative-nitrosative stress (reactive oxygen species [ROS]; nitric oxide [NO]), neurotrophic factors (brain-derived neurotrophic factor [BDNF]; nerve growth factor [NGF]), and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability (S-100ß; neuron-specific enolase). ROS concentration significantly increased IAE and following HI (4.9 ± 1.7 mM) compared with that after LI (2.8 ± 1.4 mM) exercise (p < .05). At 60MAE, ROS concentration was higher following HI (2.5 ± 1.2 mM) than after LI (1.5 ± 0.5 mM) and MI (1.4 ± 0.3 mM) conditions (p < .05). Plasma NO IAE increased significantly after MI and HI exercise (p < .05). Serum BDNF, NGF, and S-100b levels were significantly higher IAE following MI and HI exercise (p < .05). BDNF and S-100b were higher IAE following MI (29.6 ± 3.4 ng/mL and 87.1 ± 22.8 ng/L, respectively) and HI (31.4 ± 3.8 ng/mL and 100.6 ± 21.2 ng/L, respectively) than following LI (26.5 ± 3.0 ng/mL and 64.8 ± 19.2 ng/L, respectively) exercise (p < .05). 60MAE, S-100b was higher following HI (71.1 ± 14.5 ng/L) than LI (56.2 ± 14.7 ng/L) exercise (p < .05). NSE levels were not significantly different among all intensity conditions and time points (p > .05). Moderate- and/or high-intensity exercise may induce higher oxidative-nitrosative stress than may low-intensity exercise, which can increase peripheral neurotrophic factor levels by increasing BBB permeability.

Effects of taekwondo intervention on cognitive function and academic self-efficacy in children.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of taekwondo training on cognitive function and academic self-efficacy in children. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty-five children participated in the study. Seventeen children were randomly selected to undergo taekwondo training for 16 weeks (5 times per week). As controls, 18 children received no training. Cognitive function and academic self-efficacy were measured using the Stroop Color and Word Test (Word, Color, and Color-Word) and academic self-efficacy scale (Self-confidence, Self-regulatory Efficacy, and Task Difficulty Preference), respectively. [Results] In the taekwondo group, the Color-Word and Self-confidence scores increased significantly after intervention as compared to those before intervention. [Conclusion] It is suggested that regular taekwondo training may be effective for enhancing cognitive function and academic self-efficacy in growing children.

Trekking poles reduce downhill walking-induced muscle and cartilage damage in obese women.

[Purpose] This study investigated the effect of the use of trekking poles on muscle and cartilage damage and fatigue during downhill walking in obese women. [Subjects and Methods] Subjects included eight obese women who had a body fat percentage greater than 30. Subjects performed downhill walking without a trekking pole (NP) and with a trekking pole (TP) at 50% heart rate reserve for 30 minutes on a treadmill. The treadmill was set at a 15% downhill declination. Blood samples were collected to examine muscle damage (serum creatine kinase [CK] and lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] levels), cartilage damage (serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein [COMP] levels), and fatigue (plasma lactate levels) at the pre-walking baseline (PWB), immediately after walking (IAW), and 2 hours post-walking (2HPW). [Results] The CK, LDH, COMP, and lactate levels were significantly increased IAW when compared with those at the PWB in both trials. In addition, in the NP trial, the CK, LDH, and COMP levels were significantly increased at 2HPW when compared with those at the PWB. [Conclusion] Downhill walking can cause muscle and cartilage damage, and our results suggest that the use of a trekking pole can reduce temporary muscle and cartilage damage after downhill walking.

Effects of aerobic exercise intervention on serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein levels and lymphocyte dna damage in obese elderly females.

[Purpose] The aim of the reported research was to investigate the effects of regular aerobic exercise on cartilage oligomeric matrix protein and oxidative DNA damage in obese, elderly females. [Subjects and Methods] Sixteen class I obese, elderly females, according to World Health Organization criteria, were randomly and equally assigned to a control group (n=8) or an exercise group (n=8). The exercise group participated in exercise sessions of 60 minutes per day, 3 days per week, for a period of 8 weeks. [Results] After aerobic exercise intervention, weight, body mass index, body fat, waist circumference, and DNA damage (Tail moment) were significantly decreased, compared with baseline values. In contrast, serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein levels were not significantly different among any groups or time-points. [Conclusion] Regular aerobic exercise may be effective for reducing obesity-induced high DNA damage levels in obese females, without causing the deformation or degradation of lower extremity articular cartilage.

Effects of aerobic exercise training on peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor and eotaxin-1 levels in obese young men.

[Purpose] The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of aerobic exercise training on the levels of peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor and eotaxin-1 in obese young men. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects included sixteen obese young men with a body mass index greater than 25 kg/m(2). They were randomly divided between control and exercise groups (n = 8 in each group). The exercise group performed treadmill exercise for 40 min, 3 times a week for 8 weeks at the intensity of 70% heart rate reserve. Blood collection was performed to examine the levels of serum glucose, plasma malonaldehyde, serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and plasma eotaxin-1 before and after the intervention (aerobic exercise training). [Results] Following the intervention, serum BDNF levels were significantly higher, while serum glucose, plasma MDA, and plasma eotaxin-1 levels were significantly lower than those prior to the intervention in the exercise group. [Conclusion] Aerobic exercise training can induce neurogenesis in obese individuals by increasing the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and reducing the levels of eotaxin-1. Alleviation of oxidative stress is possibly responsible for such changes.

Evaluation of tympanic temperature and thermal sensation responses during exercise to verify the positive effects of wearing germanium-coated functional clothing.

[Purpose] The present study investigated the effects of wearing germanium-coated functional clothing on tympanic temperature, thermal sensation, heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), and lactate during endurance exercise. [Subjects and Methods] Nine healthy and untrained male subjects were enrolled. Subjects ran for 60 min on a treadmill (75% heart rate reserve) in the following 2 tests: 1) control test (wearing conventional clothing) and 2) experimental test (wearing germanium-coated functional clothing). During each test, the tympanic temperature and thermal sensation were measured, and blood samples were collected immediately before exercise and immediately after exercise. Thermal sensation was measured using a DISC score. [Results] The tympanic temperature immediately after exercise was significantly increased compared to the temperature immediately before exercise in the control test, while no significant change was observed in the experimental test. In both tests, the DISC score and Hsp70 and lactate levels immediately after exercise were significantly increased compared to those immediately before exercise. In addition, the DISC score immediately after exercise was significantly higher in the control test than in the experimental test. [Conclusion] Wearing germanium-coated functional clothing during endurance exercise may have the positive effect of alleviating thermal stress that accumulates in the body during exercise.

Impact of different running distances on muscle and lymphocyte DNA damage in amateur marathon runners.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of different marathon running distances (10 km, 21 km, and 42.195 km) on muscle and lymphocyte DNA damage in amateur marathon runners. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty male amateur runners were randomly assigned to 10 km, 21 km, and 42 km groups, with 10 subjects in each group. Blood samples were collected before and after the races and on the 3rd day of recovery to examine levels of muscle damage (creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase) and lymphocyte DNA damage (DNA in the tail, tail length, and tail moment). [Results] Serum creatine kinase, serum lactate dehydrogenase, and tail moment were significantly higher after the races compared with before the races in all groups. In addition, the 42 km group showed significantly higher levels of creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and tail moment than the 10 km and 21 km groups after the races. [Conclusion] Strenuous endurance exercise can cause muscle and lymphocyte DNA damage, and the extent of such damage can increase as running distance increases.

The Effects of 12 Weeks Regular Aerobic Exercise on Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor and Inflammatory Factors in Juvenile Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 12 weeks regular aerobic exercise on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and inflammatory factors in juvenile obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Obesity and T2DM, typically common among adults, have recently become more prevalent in the Korean juvenile population, affecting not only their lipid profiles and oxidant stress levels, but also their BDNF and inflammatory factor levels. [Subjects] This study enrolled 26 juveniles (boys = 15, girls = 9) who were assigned to a control group (CG, n = 11), obesity group (OG, n = 8), or T2DM group (TG, n = 7). [Methods] The outcome of a 40-60-minute aerobic exercise session that took place three times per week for 12 weeks at a maximum oxygen intake (VO2max) of 50~60% was investigated. [Results] The exercise resulted in a significant reduction in the resting serum BDNF and TrkB levels (baseline) among juveniles in the OG and TG as compared to those in the CG. Additionally, the 12 weeks of regular aerobic exercise led to significant reductions in body weight, body fat percentage, and body mass index in the OG and a significant increase of VO2max in the OG and TG. However, no significant differences in serum NGF or inflammatory factors were found among the three groups. There was a significant increase in resting serum BDNF levels following the 12 weeks regular exercise only in the OG. [Conclusion] While 12 weeks of regular aerobic exercise had a positive effect on body composition, and increased BDNF levels of juveniles in the OG, it did not affect the inflammatory factor levels and had no effect on the TG.

Impact of Particulate Matter Exposure and Aerobic Exercise on Circulating Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress, Antioxidant Status, and Inflammation in Young and Aged Mice.

Exposure to particulate matter (PM) and exercise training can have antagonistic effects on inflammatory responses and the balance between pro-oxidants and antioxidants in the body. However, the underlying mechanisms of these effects remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of PM exposure and aerobic exercise training on oxidative stress, antioxidant status, and inflammation in mice of different ages. Two groups of male C57BL/6 mice, comprising forty 1-month-old and forty 12-month-old mice, were exposed to either PM or exercise training or both for 8 weeks. PM exposure led to significantly higher 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) levels (p < 0.05) and significantly lower superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities (p < 0.05) in both age groups exposed to PM compared to the control groups. Conversely, aerobic exercise training led to significantly lower 8-OHdG, MDA, IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α levels (p < 0.05) and significantly higher SOD and CAT activities (p < 0.05) in both age groups receiving exercise training, compared to those exposed to PM. Moreover, young mice in the exercise training and PM group showed significantly lower 8-OHdG, MDA, and IL-1ß levels (p < 0.05) and significantly higher SOD and CAT activities (p < 0.05) than young mice in the PM exposure group. However, these levels did not vary significantly between the group of old mice that either received exercise training or exposure to PM. Our results suggest that while PM exposure could cause pro-oxidant/antioxidant imbalances and inflammatory responses, regular aerobic exercise could ameliorate these negative effects, although these vary with age. Nevertheless, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of exercise were countered by PM exposure, especially in older mice.

The Impact of Neck Cooling on Serum Oxidant/Antioxidant Status and HSP70 Levels during High-Intensity Cycling.

Numerous studies have been conducted in an attempt to discover cooling strategies that can be effective in improving exercise performance. However, the mechanism by which neck cooling relieves exercise-induced physiological stress and the optimal cooling temperature are unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of neck cooling at different temperatures during high-intensity cycling on body temperature, physiological variables, oxidant/antioxidant status, heat shock protein (HSP) 70 levels, and exercise performance in adolescent athletes. Seven well-trained male adolescent cyclists (age, 17.00 ± 0.76 years; athletic career, 3.86 ± 0.90 years) participated in three exercise trials involving three cooling regimens: control (CON), low-temperature (7 °C) neck cooling (LNC), and mixed-temperature (14 + 20 °C) neck cooling (MNC). The experimental condition used a cross-over design to minimize adaption to the repetitive cycling trials. Cycling consisted of a 20 km warm-up session and a two 2 km race session. Neck cooling at different temperatures was administered for 20 min during each rest period: after the warm-up, after the first 2 km race, and after the second 2 km race. Blood samples were taken to assess serum malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and HSP70 levels. In addition, tympanic temperature (Tty), thermal sensation (TS), heart rate (HR), and the saturation of percutaneous oxygen (SpO2) were measured before, immediately after, and 24 h after exercise. As a measure of cycling performance, the race record and speed were measured in the first and second 2 km races. In all trials, Tty, TS, HR, MDA, SOD, and HSP70 levels significantly increased (p < 0.05), and SpO2 levels significantly decreased (p < 0.05). TS significantly decreased 24 h after exercise compared to that immediately after exercise in the LNC and MNC trials (p < 0.05). Serum HSP70 levels were significantly higher 24 h after exercise (0.87 ± 0.10 ng/mL) than immediately after exercise (0.79 ± 0.04 ng/mL) in the CON trial (p < 0.05). Twenty-four hours after exercise, the CON (0.87 ± 0.10 ng/mL) trial showed significantly higher serum HSP70 levels than the LNC (0.73 ± 0.01 ng/mL) trial (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in cycling race record or speed between the trials (p > 0.05). Our findings suggest that neck cooling can induce a positive effect on thermal perception during recovery after cycling and that neck cooling at a relatively low temperature may be more effective in reducing exercise-induced HSP70 expression.

Effects of Exercise Training on Neurotrophic Factors and Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability in Young-Old and Old-Old Women.

Aging and regular exercise may have opposite effects on brain health, and although oxidative stress and sirtuins may be involved in these effects, studies on this topic are limited. Accordingly, the present study aimed to verify the effect of exercise training on oxidant-antioxidant balance, neurotrophic factors, blood-brain barrier permeability, and sirtuins in young-old and old-old women. The study participants were 12 women aged 65-74 years (Young-Old group) and 12 women aged 75-84 years (Old-Old group). All of the selected participants performed exercise training consisting of treadmill walking and resistance band exercise three times a week for 12 weeks. Blood samples were collected before and after exercise training to analyze serum oxidant-antioxidant markers (reactive oxygen species [ROS], superoxide dismutase [SOD]), neurotrophic factor (brain-derived neurotrophic factor [BDNF], vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]) levels, and blood-brain barrier permeability marker (S100 calcium-binding protein ß [S100ß], matrix metalloproteinase-9 [MMP-9]) levels, and sirtuin (SIRT-1, SIRT-2, SIRT-3) levels. The Young-Old group showed significantly increased SOD, BDNF, VEGF, SIRT-1, and SIRT-3 levels after training in comparison with the levels before training (p < 0.05), and a significantly higher BDNF level than the Old-Old group after training (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the Old-Old group showed significantly higher SIRT-1 levels after training in comparison with the levels before training (p < 0.05). Thus, exercise training may be effective in increasing the levels of neurotropic factors and reducing blood-brain barrier permeability in the elderly women, and increased antioxidant capacity and elevated levels of sirtuins are believed to play a major role in these effects. The positive effect of exercise may be greater in participants of relatively young age.

Impact of Exercise Intensity on Systemic Oxidative Stress, Inflammatory Responses, and Sirtuin Levels in Healthy Male Volunteers.

Exercise can induce anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, for which regulation of sirtuins (SIRTs) may be a major consideration for exercise prescription. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of acute aerobic exercise, in particular its intensity, on systemic oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and SIRT levels. Twenty healthy, untrained males were recruited and randomly assigned to moderate-intensity (MI, 65% VO2max, n = 10) and high-intensity (HI, 85% VO2max, n = 10) exercise. Blood samples were obtained pre-, immediately post-, and 1 h post-exercise for measurements of malonaldehyde (MDA), superoxide dis-mutase (SOD), interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, SIRT-1, SIRT-2, and SIRT-3. Overall, MDA, SOD, IL-6, SIRT-1, and SIRT-3 levels were significantly increased at post-exercise compared with pre-exercise regardless of exercise intensity (p < 0.05). The HI group had significantly higher MDA, SOD, and IL-6 levels than the MI group at post-exercise (p < 0.05), whereas no significant differences were observed in the IL-1ß, TNF-α, and SIRT-2 levels (p > 0.05). Altogether, these findings suggest that exercise-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory responses may be dependent on exercise intensity. Moreover, activation of inflammatory cytokines and SIRT family members may be dependent on the intensity of the exercise.

Effects of 16 Weeks of Taekwondo Training on the Cerebral Blood Flow Velocity, Circulating Neurotransmitters, and Subjective Well-Being of Obese Postmenopausal Women.

We investigated the effects of Taekwondo training on the body composition, serum lipid profiles, plasma neurotransmitter levels, cerebral blood flow velocities, and subjective well-being of 24 obese postmenopausal women. The women were randomly assigned into the experimental (n = 12) and control (n = 12) groups. The experimental group underwent Taekwondo training five times per week for 16 weeks, while the control group did not. All participants underwent evaluation for the following parameters before and after the intervention: body composition; serum lipid profiles; plasma serotonin and dopamine levels; cerebral blood flow velocities; positive and negative affect schedule (PANAS) scores; satisfaction with life scale (SWLS) scores. After the intervention, it was observed that the weight, body mass index, body fat percentage, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and PANAS-NA (negative affect in the PANAS questionnaire) scores were significantly decreased (p < 0.05)-while the plasma serotonin levels were significantly increased (p < 0.05)-in the experimental group. Conversely, there were no significant changes in the cerebral blood flow velocities (p > 0.05). Taekwondo training can be effective in not only reducing obesity, but also in increasing the circulating neurotransmitters and enhancing the subjective well-being of obese postmenopausal women.

Effect of C242T Polymorphism in the Gene Encoding the NAD(P)H Oxidase p22phox Subunit and Aerobic Fitness Levels on Redox State Biomarkers and DNA Damage Responses to Exhaustive Exercise: A Randomized Trial.

NAD(P)H oxidases (NOXs) constitute a principal source of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and contribute to exercise-induced ROS production in the skeletal muscle. Here, we aimed to investigate the effect of single-bout exhaustive exercise on redox state biomarkers and oxidative DNA damage based on the C242T polymorphism in the gene encoding NOXs subunit p22phox (CYBA) and aerobic fitness levels. We enrolled 220 healthy adults in their 20s (men, n = 110; women, n = 110), who were divided into CC genotype and T allele groups through the analysis of the CYBA C242T polymorphism. Furthermore, maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) was evaluated to divide subjects into high fitness (HF; 70th percentile for aerobic fitness) and mid-range fitness (MF; 40-60th percentile for aerobic fitness) groups, with a total of 32 subjects assigned to four groups (eight subjects per group): CC genotype and HF group (CC + HF), CC genotype and MF group (CC + MF), T allele and HF group (T + HF), and T allele and MF group (T + MF). All subjects performed treadmill running exercise at 85% of VO2max until exhaustion. Plasma lactate, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and lymphocyte DNA damage (tail DNA percentage [TD], tail length [TL], and the tail moment [TM]) were measured in the blood samples obtained immediately before (IBE), immediately after (IAE), and 30 min after exercise (30 MAE). Plasma lactate levels, SOD activities, and lymphocyte DNA damage markers (TD, TL, and TM) were significantly increased at IAE than that at IBE and significantly decreased at 30 MAE (p < 0.05). All groups displayed increased plasma MDA levels at IAE rather than at IBE, with CC + MF being significantly higher than T + HF (p < 0.05); only the CC + HF and T + HF groups exhibited a significant reduction at 30 MAE (p < 0.05). Moreover, TL at IAE was significantly higher in the CC + MF group than in the T + HF group (p < 0.05), and significantly higher in the CC + MF and CC + HF groups than in the T + HF group at 30 MAE (p < 0.05). TM was significantly higher in the T + MF than in the T + HF group at IAE (p < 0.05) and that of CC + MF was significantly higher than CC + HF and T + HF values at IAE and 30 MAE (p < 0.05). These results suggest that single-bout exhaustive exercise could induce peripheral fatigue and the accumulation of temporary redox imbalance and oxidative DNA damage. Moreover, high aerobic fitness levels combined with the T allele may protect against exercise-induced redox imbalance and DNA damage.

A Cross-Sectional Study Evaluating the Effects of Resistance Exercise on Inflammation and Neurotrophic Factors in Elderly Women with Obesity.

PURPOSE: Aging lowers brain functionality, and obesity accelerates this process. Resistance exercise can help reverse aging; however, studies examining how it affects brain function and body mass are limited. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of resistance exercise on inflammation and neurotrophic factors in elderly women with obesity. METHODS: Twenty-six elderly women with obesity were selected for this study and randomly assigned into a control group (CG, n = 13) and an experimental group (EG, n = 13). The EG performed resistance training thrice weekly for 12 weeks using elastic bands, while the CG did not exercise. Serum lipid profile (total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)) and nuclear factor Kappa B (NF-κB), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and eotaxin-1 levels were analyzed before and after the intervention. Body composition (soft lean mass (SLM), skeletal muscle mass (SMM), body fat mass (BFM), percent body fat (PBF), waist-hip-ratio (WHR), basal metabolic rates (BMR)) measurements and blood tests were performed. RESULTS: Among the body composition variables, SLM, SMM, and BMR in the EG were significantly increased after intervention (p < 0.05). Serum lipid profile was not significantly different after intervention (p > 0.05). After intervention, the levels of NF-κB, IFN-γ, and eotaxin-1 were significantly lower and BDNF and VEGF were significantly higher in the EG than in the CG (p < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: These results imply that regular resistance training in elderly women with obesity can increase muscle mass, reduce inflammation, and stimulate neurotrophic factors.

Effects of Regular Taekwondo Intervention on Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and Myokines in Overweight and Obese Adolescents.

Purpose: Regular exercise can alleviate oxidative stress related to obesity and can induce secretion of myokines that are involved in the regulation of metabolic homeostasis. There are no studies examining changes in these variables as a result of Taekwondo training intervention. We aimed to investigate the effect of Taekwondo training on oxidative stress and myokine levels in overweight and obese adolescents. Methods: We randomly assigned 20 overweight and obese adolescents to control (control group; CG, n = 10) and experimental (experimental group; EG, n = 10) groups. The EG performed Taekwondo training five times a week for 16 weeks. Physical parameters (height, weight, body mass index (BMI)), physical fitness (maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) (cardiorespiratory endurance), grip and leg strength (muscular strength), sit-and-reach (flexibility), Sargent jump (power), and stork stand test (balance)) were measured before and after intervention. We measured levels of serum oxidative stress markers (plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)) and myokines (serum interleukin-15 (IL-15), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), irisin, and myostatin). Results: The weight and BMI in the EG after intervention were significantly lower and leg strength (muscular strength), sit-and-reach (flexibility), and Sargent jump (power) were significantly improved compared to those of the CG (p < 0.05). There were no significant interaction effects in terms of height, VO2 max, grip strength, or stork stand test (p > 0.05). The SOD and BDNF level after intervention were significantly higher in the EG after the intervention, whereas MDA and irisin levels were significantly lower than those of the CG (p < 0.05). There were no significant interaction effects in terms of serum IL-15 and myostatin levels (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Taekwondo training can reduce obesity and increase physical fitness with respect to muscular strength, flexibility, and power as well as alleviate oxidative stress and modulate myokine secretion in adolescents.

Fluid replacement following dehydration reduces oxidative stress during recovery.

To investigate the effects of hydration status on oxidative DNA damage and exercise performance, 10 subjects ran on a treadmill until exhaustion at 80% VO(2max) during four different trials [control (C), 3% dehydration (D), 3% dehydration+water (W) or 3% dehydration+sports drink (S)]. Dehydration significantly decreased exercise time to exhaustion (D

Taekwondo Enhances Cognitive Function as a Result of Increased Neurotrophic Growth Factors in Elderly Women.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of regular taekwondo (TKD) training on physical fitness, neurotrophic growth factors, cerebral blood flow (CBF) velocity, and cognitive function in elderly women. Thirty-seven women aged 65 or older were randomly assigned to either TKD (n = 19) or control (n = 18) group. TKD training was performed at 50⁻80% maximum heart rate (HRmax) for 60 min, five times per week for 16 weeks. All participants underwent the following examinations before and after the intervention: Senior Fitness Test; serum levels of neurotrophic growth factors, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1); systolic, diastolic, and mean blood flow velocity and pulsatility index of the middle cerebral artery using Doppler ultrasonography; Mini-Mental State Examination for dementia screening (MMSE-DS); and Stroop Color and Word Test (word, color, and color-word). In the TKD group, lower body strength and flexibility, aerobic endurance levels, BDNF, VEGF, and IGF-1 serum levels as well as the color-word test scores were significantly increased after as compared to before the intervention (p < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were found in cerebral blood flow velocities and the MMSE-DS score (p > 0.05). These findings suggest that regular TKD training may be effective in improving not only fitness but also cognitive function in elderly women. The latter effect may be due to increased neurotrophic growth factor levels.

Taekwondo Training Improves Mood and Sociability in Children from Multicultural Families in South Korea: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.

PURPOSE: Children from multicultural families face physical, social, mental, and intellectual hurdles; however, relative interventions are lacking in South Korea (hereafter Korea) in this regard. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of regular Taekwondo (TKD) training on physical fitness, mood, sociability, and cognitive functions in these children. METHODS: This study included 30 children from multicultural families in Korea who were randomly assigned to a TKD group (n = 15) and control group (n = 15). The children in TKD group underwent 16 weeks of TKD training once a week for 60 min. Each participant underwent a basic fitness test and sociability questionnaire before and after the intervention. Furthermore, we examined the changes in the mood and cognitive function by determining the profile of mood states (POMS), and Stroop color and word test, respectively. RESULTS: Results of the Stork test of balance were significantly higher in the TKD group after intervention (p < 0.05). In terms of sub-variables, POMS, tension, and depression scores were significantly lower (p < 0.05) after the intervention, while the vigor score was significantly higher in the intervention group than those in the control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, sociability and 'being left out' score, a sub-variable of sociability, was significantly lower (p < 0.05) after the intervention, while sociability score was significantly higher (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that participation in regular TKD training can be effective for balanced improvements in variables of basic fitness and that it exerts a positive effect on the mood and development of sociability.