Enhancing cognitive function through blood flow restriction: An effective resistance exercise modality for middle-aged women
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)...
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Elsevier
2025-10-01
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| Series: | Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1728869X25000619 |
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| author | Dohyeon Lee Kyeongho Byun Sewon Lee |
| author_facet | Dohyeon Lee Kyeongho Byun Sewon Lee |
| author_sort | Dohyeon Lee |
| collection | DOAJ |
| 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 < 0.001, p = 0.014, respectively) and MLRE (p < 0.001, p = 0.004, respectively), whereas IGF-1 levels remained unchanged across conditions. Increases in lactate concentrations were positively correlated with changes in BDNF and VEGF (p < 0.001 for both), but not with IGF-1. Conclusion: A single session of LLBFR improved cognitive function and upregulated neurotrophic factors, particularly BDNF and VEGF, in middle-aged women. These findings suggest that LLBFR may be an effective intervention for promoting cognitive health in this population. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6a4e2b15c9304d9883a2bbe5dbc9b965 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1728-869X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-10-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness |
| spelling | doaj-art-6a4e2b15c9304d9883a2bbe5dbc9b9652025-08-20T05:06:11ZengElsevierJournal of Exercise Science & Fitness1728-869X2025-10-0123437938810.1016/j.jesf.2025.08.002Enhancing cognitive function through blood flow restriction: An effective resistance exercise modality for middle-aged womenDohyeon Lee0Kyeongho Byun1Sewon Lee2Department of Human Movement Science, Graduate School, Incheon National University, Incheon, Republic of KoreaDivision of Sport Science, College of Arts & Physical Education, Incheon National University, Incheon, Republic of Korea; Sport Science Institute, College of Arts & Physical Education, Incheon National University, Incheon, Republic of Korea; Health Promotion Center, College of Arts & Physical Education, Incheon National University, Incheon, Republic of KoreaDivision of Sport Science, College of Arts & Physical Education, Incheon National University, Incheon, Republic of Korea; Sport Science Institute, College of Arts & Physical Education, Incheon National University, Incheon, Republic of Korea; Health Promotion Center, College of Arts & Physical Education, Incheon National University, Incheon, Republic of Korea; Research Center of Brain-Machine Interface, Incheon National University, Incheon, Republic of Korea; Corresponding author. Division of Sport Science, Sport Science Institute & Health Promotion Center Incheon National University Bldg# 16, Room# 423 (Songdo-dong) 119 Academy-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, Republic of Korea.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 < 0.001, p = 0.014, respectively) and MLRE (p < 0.001, p = 0.004, respectively), whereas IGF-1 levels remained unchanged across conditions. Increases in lactate concentrations were positively correlated with changes in BDNF and VEGF (p < 0.001 for both), but not with IGF-1. Conclusion: A single session of LLBFR improved cognitive function and upregulated neurotrophic factors, particularly BDNF and VEGF, in middle-aged women. These findings suggest that LLBFR may be an effective intervention for promoting cognitive health in this population.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1728869X25000619Middle-aged womenResistance exerciseBlood flow restriction exerciseNeurotrophic factorsCognitive function |
| spellingShingle | Dohyeon Lee Kyeongho Byun Sewon Lee Enhancing cognitive function through blood flow restriction: An effective resistance exercise modality for middle-aged women Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness Middle-aged women Resistance exercise Blood flow restriction exercise Neurotrophic factors Cognitive function |
| title | Enhancing cognitive function through blood flow restriction: An effective resistance exercise modality for middle-aged women |
| title_full | Enhancing cognitive function through blood flow restriction: An effective resistance exercise modality for middle-aged women |
| title_fullStr | Enhancing cognitive function through blood flow restriction: An effective resistance exercise modality for middle-aged women |
| title_full_unstemmed | Enhancing cognitive function through blood flow restriction: An effective resistance exercise modality for middle-aged women |
| title_short | Enhancing cognitive function through blood flow restriction: An effective resistance exercise modality for middle-aged women |
| title_sort | enhancing cognitive function through blood flow restriction an effective resistance exercise modality for middle aged women |
| topic | Middle-aged women Resistance exercise Blood flow restriction exercise Neurotrophic factors Cognitive function |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1728869X25000619 |
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