The Effect of an 8-Week Anaerobic Gymnastics Training on Bdnf, Vegf, and Some Physiological Characteristics in Children

The purpose of the present study was to observe changes in levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), resting metabolic rate (RMR) and maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) in the gymnast children after an anaerobic gymnastics training program. Thirty beginner gymnasts aged 8-12 years old were randomly assigned to control (n = 15) and experimental (n = 15) groups. The anaerobic gymnastics training was conducted for 8 weeks, 3 times per a week. Each session lasted 45 minutes: 10 min warm-up, 30 min core exercise, and 5 min cool down. The anthropometric and body composition of subjects were measured and growth factors were measured by using human BDNF and VEGF PicoKine™ ELISA Kit and analysis was performed using sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Morland et al.) before and after the intervention, and VO2max, maximum heart rate and RMR were measured using a gas analyzer. At the baseline there were not any significant differences between both groups (p>0.05). But in the post-test, a significant difference was observed for BDNF(p=0.02) and VEGF(p=0.018) values between the two groups. Within-group there was a decrease in the value of the maximum heart rate indicator (P<0.05) and VO2max and BDNF increased significantly after an intervention (P<0.05). In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that anaerobic gymnastic training increases the level of salivary BDNF and VEGF in children. These types of exercises may also improve cardiorespiratory fitness in children.