Low-Volume Acute Multi-Joint Resistance Exercise Elicits A Circulating Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Response But Not A Cathepsin B Response In Well-Trained Men

This study examined if acute multi-joint resistance exercises (RE; back squat, bench press, and deadlift) to volitional failure elicited a postexercise increase in the circulating response of biomarkers associated with neuroprotection. Thirteen males (age: 24.5 +/- 3.8 years, body mass: 84.01 +/- 15.44 kg, height: 173.43 +/- 8.57 cm, training age: 7.1 +/- 4.2 years) performed 4 sets to failure at 80% of a 1-repetition maximum on the squat, bench press, and deadlift in successive weeks. The measured biomarkers were brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), insulin-like growth factor 1 (1CF-1), cathepsin B (CatB), and interleukin 6 (IL-6). Biomarkers were assessed immediately before and 10-min after exercise. There was a main time effect (pre-exercise: 24.00 +/- 0.61 to postexercise: 27.38 +/- 0.48 ngfmL; p < 0.01) for BDNF with increases in the deadlift (p = 0.01) and bench press (p = 0.01) conditions, but not in the squat condition (p = 0.21). There was a main time effect (pre-exercise: 0.87 +/- 0.16 to postexercise: 2.03 +/- 0.32 pg/mnL; p < 0.01) for IL-6 with a significant increase in the squat (p <0.01), but not the bench press (p = 0.88) and deadlift conditions (p = 0.24). No main time effect was observed for either CatB (p = 0.62) or IGF-1 (p = 0.56). In summary, acute multi-joint RE increases circulating BDNF. Further, this investigation is the first to report the lack of a transient change of CatB to an acute RE protocol.NoveltyLow-volume RE to failure can increase BDNF.Resistance training does not confer an acute Cat B response.