Effect of pedaling cadence on serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor during ergometric exercise in healthy adults

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a known essential mediator responsible for the beneficial effects of physical activity on brain health. Exercise-induced lactate is a potential endogenous factor that may increase BDNF expression, and the selection of cadence in exercise prescription is thought to influence lactate concentrations. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of pedaling cadence on circulating BDNF levels through lactate production in healthy adult men. Seventeen healthy adult men participated in three experimental sessions: a 40-min session of cycle-ergometry exercise with a pedaling cadence of 60 rpm at a workload of 40% peak oxygen uptake (Ex.60), a 40-min cycling exercise with a pedaling cadence of 100 rpm at the same workload as the Ex.60 (Ex.100), and a session of complete rest for 40 min (CON). Serum BDNF levels were measured before and after each session, and heart rate (HR) and lactate concentrations were evaluated after each session. Ex.100 significantly increased serum BDNF and lactate levels (p 0.05). The relative change in BDNF levels had a significant strong correlation with relative change in lactate (p 0.05). High-cadence aerobic exercise can increase peripheral BDNF levels through an increase in lactate concentrations, whereas the workload is low to moderate. This study indicates that exercise regimen considering pedaling cadence may have the possibility of inducing better brain health.