bims-empneu 2021-06-06 papers

bims-empneu

Biomed News

on Exercise and Molecular Pathways Involved in Neuroprotection

Issue of 2021–06–06
sixteen papers selected by
Navabeh Zare-Kookandeh, Victoria University

Role of Adiponectin-Notch pathway in cognitive dysfunction associated with depression and in the therapeutic effect of physical exercise.
Exercise ameliorates aberrant synaptic plasticity without enhancing adult-born cell survival in the hippocampus of serotonin transporter knockout mice.
Voluntary Wheel Running Exercise Improves Aging-Induced Sarcopenia via Activation of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator-1α/Fibronectin Type III Domain-Containing Protein 5/Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathway.
Treadmill Running Improves Spatial Learning Memory Through Inactivation of Nuclear Factor Kappa B/Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathway in Amyloid-β-Induced Alzheimer Disease Rats.
Effects of physical exercise on plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor in neurodegenerative disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Physical Exercise-Induced Myokines in Neurodegenerative Diseases.
Hypothalamus-skeletal muscle crosstalk during exercise and its role in metabolism modulation.
Rationale and methods to characterize the acute exercise response in aging and Alzheimer's Disease: the AEROBIC pilot study.
Strength training during pregnancy influences hippocampal plasticity but not body development in neonatal rats.
Exercise and estrogen: common pathways in Alzheimer's disease pathology.
High-Intensity Interval Training upon Cognitive and Psychological Outcomes in Youth: A Systematic Review.
The influence of a 16-week exercise program, APOE status, and age on executive function task performance: A randomized trial.
[Schizophrenia spectrum disorders and physical exercise].
Physiological and Psychological Responses to Three Distinct Exercise Training Regimens Performed in an Outdoor Setting: Acute and Delayed Response.
The Effects of the Combination of High-Intensity Interval Training with 3D-Multiple Object Tracking Task on Perceptual-Cognitive Performance: A Randomized Controlled Intervention Trial.
Sex Differences in the Oxygenation of the Left and Right Prefrontal Cortex during Moderate-Intensity Exercise.

Aging Cell. 2021 May 30. e13387

Role of Adiponectin-Notch pathway in cognitive dysfunction associated with depression and in the therapeutic effect of physical exercise.

Jingjing You, Linshan Sun, Jiangong Wang, Fengjiao Sun, Wentao Wang, Dan Wang, Xueli Fan, Dunjiang Liu, Zhicheng Xu, Changyun Qiu, Jinbo Chen, Haijing Yan, Bin Liu.

  A substantial percentage of late-life depression patients also have an cognitive impairment, which severely affects the life quality, while the co-occurring mechanisms are still unclear. Physical exercise can ameliorate both depressive behaviors and cognitive dysfunction, but the molecular mechanisms underlying its beneficial effects remain elusive. In this study, we uncover a novel adipose tissue to hippocampus crosstalk mediated by Adiponectin-Notch pathway, with an impact on hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive function. Adiponectin, an adipocyte-derived hormone, could activate Notch signaling in the hippocampus through upregulating ADAM10 and Notch1, two key molecules in the Notch signaling. Chronic stress inhibits the Adiponectin-Notch pathway and induces impaired hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive dysfunction, which can be rescued by AdipoRon and running. Inhibition Notch signaling by DAPT mimics the adverse effects of chronic stress on hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive function. Adiponectin knockout mice display depressive-like behaviors, associated with inhibited Notch signaling, impaired hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive dysfunction. Physical exercise could activate Adiponectin-Notch pathway, and improve hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive function, while deleting adiponectin gene or inhibiting Notch signaling blocks its beneficial effects. Together, our data not only suggest that Adiponectin-Notch pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of cognitive dysfunction associated with depression, but also contributes to the therapeutic effect of physical exercise. This work helps to decipher the etiology of cognitive impairment associated with depression and hence will provide a potential innovative therapeutic target for these patients.

Keywords:  Notch; aging; behavior; chronic stimulation; cognition dysfunction; endocrinology; mouse models; neural stem cells

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1111/acel.13387
Brain Struct Funct. 2021 May 30.

Exercise ameliorates aberrant synaptic plasticity without enhancing adult-born cell survival in the hippocampus of serotonin transporter knockout mice.

Carey Wilson, Jake Rogers, Feng Chen, Shanshan Li, Paul A Adlard, Anthony J Hannan, Thibault Renoir.

  Deficits in hippocampal cellular and synaptic plasticity are frequently associated with cognitive and mood disorders, and indeed common mechanisms of antidepressants are thought to involve neuroplastic processes. Here, we investigate hippocampal adult-born cell survival and synaptic plasticity (long-term potentiation, LTP, and long-term depression, LTD) in serotonin transporter (5-HTT) knockout (KO) mice. From 8 weeks of age, mice either continued in standard-housing conditions or were given access to voluntary running wheels for 1 month. Electrophysiology was performed on hippocampal slices to measure LTP and LTD, and immunohistochemistry was used to assess cell proliferation and subsequent survival in the dentate gyrus. The results revealed a reduced LTP in 5-HTT KO mice that was restored to wild-type (WT) levels after chronic exercise. While LTD appeared normal in 5-HTT KO, exercise decreased the magnitude of LTD in both WT and 5-HTT KO mice. Furthermore, although 5-HTT KO mice had normal hippocampal adult-born cell survival, they did not benefit from the pro-proliferative effects of exercise observed in WT animals. Taken together, these findings suggest that reduced 5-HTT expression is associated with significant alterations to functional neuroplasticity. Interestingly, 5-HTT appeared necessary for exercise-induced augmentation of adult-born hippocampal cell survival, yet exercise corrected the LTP impairment displayed by 5-HTT KO mice. Together, our findings further highlight the salience of serotonergic signalling in mediating the neurophysiological benefits of exercise.

Keywords:  5-HTT knockout mice; Adult-born hippocampal cell proliferation; Exercise; Long-term potentiation; Serotonin; Synaptic plasticity

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-021-02283-y
Int Neurourol J. 2021 May;25(Suppl 1): S27-34

Voluntary Wheel Running Exercise Improves Aging-Induced Sarcopenia via Activation of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator-1α/Fibronectin Type III Domain-Containing Protein 5/Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathway.

Young Jun Ko, Il-Gyu Ko.

   PURPOSE: In this study, the protective effect of voluntary wheel running exercise on muscle loss and muscle weakness in gastrocnemius of old rats was investigated. The association of voluntary wheel exercise with the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α)/fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5)/adenosine monophosphate- activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression was also evaluated.
METHODS: Six-month-old and 22-month-old male rats were used for this experiment. The rats in voluntary wheel running exercise groups were performed wheel running for 2 months. Weight bearing test for walking strength, rotarod test for motor coordination and balance, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining for histological changes in the muscle tissues, Western blot analysis for PGC-1α, FNDC5, AMPK, immunofluorescence for VEGF were conducted.
RESULTS: Decreased muscle mass, strength, and coordination due to aging were associated with a decrease in the PGC-1α/ FNDC5/AMPK signaling pathway in the gastrocnemius. Voluntary wheel running exercise enhanced VEGF expression by activating the PGC-1α/FNDC5/AMPK signaling pathway, then increased muscle mass, strength, and coordination.
CONCLUSION: It has been suggested that voluntary wheel running exercise alleviates symptoms of urological diseases that are difficult to treat. Wheel running exercise is a good therapeutic strategy to prevent or treat aging-related sarcopenia.

Keywords:  Aging; Muscle mass; Sarcopenia; Strength; Voluntary wheel running exercise

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.5213/inj.2142170.085
Int Neurourol J. 2021 May;25(Suppl 1): S35-43

Treadmill Running Improves Spatial Learning Memory Through Inactivation of Nuclear Factor Kappa B/Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathway in Amyloid-β-Induced Alzheimer Disease Rats.

Sang-Hoon Kim, Young Jun Ko, Jee-Youn Kim, Young-Je Sim.

   PURPOSE: Exercise is known to reduce proinflammatory cytokines production and apoptosis. We investigated the effect of treadmill running on spatial learning memory in terms of activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway in Alzheimer disease (AD) rats. We also evaluated the effect of treadmill running on proinflammatory cytokine production and apoptosis.
METHODS: Using the stereotaxic frame, amyloid-β (Aβ) was injected into the lateral ventricle of the brain. The rats belong to treadmill running groups were forced to run on a motorized treadmill for 30 minutes per a day during 4 weeks, starting 3 days after Aβ injection. Morris water maze task was done for the determination of spatial learning memory. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, immunohistochemistry for cleaved caspase-3, and western blot for NF-κB, inhibitory protein of NF-κB (IκB), MAPK signaling pathway, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β were done.
RESULTS: Induction of AD increased proinflammatory cytokine secretion by activating the NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathway. These changes induced apoptosis in the hippocampus and reduced spatial learning memory. In contrast, treadmill running inactivated the NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathway and suppressed proinflammatory cytokine production. These changes inhibited apoptosis and improved spatial learning memory.
CONCLUSION: Current results showed that treadmill running promoted spatial learning memory through suppressing proinflammatory cytokine production and apoptosis via inactivation of NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathway. Treadmill exercise can be considered an effective intervention for symptom relieve of AD.

Keywords:  Alzheimer disease; Amyloid-β; Apoptosis; Inflammation; Treadmill exercise

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.5213/inj.2142164.082
Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2021 Jun 01. pii: S0149-7634(21)00235-9. [Epub ahead of print]

Effects of physical exercise on plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor in neurodegenerative disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

David Ruiz-González, Alba Hernández-Martínez, Pedro L Valenzuela, Javier S Morales, Alberto Soriano-Maldonado.

  Neurodegenerative disorders are associated with reduced levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). We aimed to assess the effect of exercise interventions on plasma BDNF levels in individuals with neurodegenerative disorders. Eighteen randomized controlled trials (RCT) assessing the effects of exercise interventions versus no exercise on plasma BDNF levels in individuals with neurodegenerative disorders (i.e., multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, mild cognitive impairment [MCI] and Alzheimer's disease) were included. Exercise interventions induced a significant increase in plasma BDNF levels (SMD = 2.22, 95 %CI = 1.33-3.12, p < 0.001), which was separately confirmed for multiple sclerosis (p < 0.001) and Parkinson's disease (p = 0.009), with a non-significant trend also observed for MCI (p = 0.080). BDNF levels significantly increased regardless of exercise type (p < 0.001, p = 0.003 and p = 0.020 for combined, aerobic and resistance exercise, respectively), weekly exercise volume (p < 0.001 for both ≥150 and <150 min/week) and intervention length (p < 0.001 for both interventions of ≥12 and <12 weeks). In conclusion, physical exercise interventions increase plasma BDNF levels in individuals with neurodegenerative disorders. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020199459.

Keywords:  Aerobic exercise; Mild cognitive impairment; Multiple sclerosis; Neurodegeneration; Neurotrophins; Parkinson disease; Physical activity; Resistance training

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.05.025
Int J Mol Sci. 2021 May 28. pii: 5795. [Epub ahead of print]22(11):

Physical Exercise-Induced Myokines in Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Banseok Lee, Myeongcheol Shin, Youngjae Park, So-Yoon Won, Kyoung Sang Cho.

  Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), are disorders characterized by progressive degeneration of the nervous system. Currently, there is no disease-modifying treatments for most NDs. Meanwhile, numerous studies conducted on human and animal models over the past decades have showed that exercises had beneficial effects on NDs. Inter-tissue communication by myokine, a peptide produced and secreted by skeletal muscles during exercise, is thought to be an important underlying mechanism for the advantages. Here, we reviewed studies about the effects of myokines regulated by exercise on NDs and their mechanisms. Myokines could exert beneficial effects on NDs through a variety of regulatory mechanisms, including cell survival, neurogenesis, neuroinflammation, proteostasis, oxidative stress, and protein modification. Studies on exercise-induced myokines are expected to provide a novel strategy for treating NDs, for which there are no adequate treatments nowadays. To date, only a few myokines have been investigated for their effects on NDs and studies on mechanisms involved in them are in their infancy. Therefore, future studies are needed to discover more myokines and test their effects on NDs.

Keywords:  Alzheimer’s disease; Huntington’s disease; Parkinson’s disease; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; exercise; muscle–brain axis; myokines; neurodegenerative diseases

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22115795
Biochem Pharmacol. 2021 Jun 01. pii: S0006-2952(21)00253-7. [Epub ahead of print] 114640

Hypothalamus-skeletal muscle crosstalk during exercise and its role in metabolism modulation.

Kevin Ibeas, Laura Herrero, Paula Mera, Dolors Serra.

  Physical inactivity is a major public health problem that contributes to the development of several pathologies such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Regular exercise mitigates the progression of these metabolic problems and contributes positively to memory and behavior. Therefore, public health agencies have incorporated exercise in the treatment of widespread disorders. The hypothalamus, specifically the ventromedial and the arcuate nuclei, responds to exercise activity and modulates energy metabolism through stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system and catecholamine secretion into the circulation. In addition, physical performance enhances cognitive functions and memory, mediated mostly by an increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in brain. During exercise training, skeletal muscle myofibers remodel their biochemical, morphological and physiological state. Moreover, skeletal muscle interacts with other organs by the release into the circulation of myokines, molecules that exhibit autocrine, paracrine and endocrine functions. Several studies have focused on the role of skeletal muscle and tissues in response to physical activity. However, how the hypothalamus could influence the skeletal muscle task in the context of exercise is less studied. Here, we review recent data about hypothalamus-skeletal muscle crosstalk in response to physical activity and focus on specific aspects such as the neuroendocrinological effects of exercise and the endocrine functions of skeletal muscle, to provide a perspective for future study directions.

Keywords:  exercise; hypothalamus; myokines; skeletal muscle; sympathetic nervous system

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114640
Contemp Clin Trials. 2021 May 27. pii: S1551-7144(21)00193-2. [Epub ahead of print]107 106457

Rationale and methods to characterize the acute exercise response in aging and Alzheimer's Disease: the AEROBIC pilot study.

Zachary D Green, Casey S John, Paul J Kueck, Jeffrey M Burns, Mark Perry, Joseph Donald, Jonathan D Mahnken, Robyn A Honea, Eric D Vidoni, Jill K Morris.

  There is evidence that exercise benefits the brain, but the mechanisms for this benefit are unclear. The chronic benefits of exercise are likely a product of discreet, acute responses in exercise-related blood biomarkers and brain metabolism. This acute exercise response has not been compared in aging and Alzheimer's Disease (AD). It is known that acute exercise elicits a powerful peripheral response in young individuals, and exercise-related biomarkers such as glucose and lactate readily penetrate the brain. How this changes with aging and neurodegenerative disease is less clear. It is critical to characterize and understand the acute effects of exercise, including different exercise intensities, in terms of the peripheral metabolic response and relationship with brain metabolism. This will help determine potential mechanisms for brain benefits of exercise and better inform the design of future clinical trials. The primary goal of the AEROBIC study is to characterize the acute exercise response of brain glucose metabolism and exercise-related blood biomarkers. We will measure how cerebral metabolism is affected by an acute bout of moderate and higher intensity exercise and characterize the extent to which this differs between cognitively healthy older adults and individuals with AD. Related to this primary goal, we will quantify the peripheral biomarker response to moderate and higher intensity exercise and how this relates to brain metabolic change in both groups.

Keywords:  Alzheimer's Disease; Biomarker; Exercise; Lactate; Metabolism

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cct.2021.106457
J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact. 2021 Jun 01. 21(2): 279-286

Strength training during pregnancy influences hippocampal plasticity but not body development in neonatal rats.

André Luís Ferreira Meireles, Ethiane Segabinazi, Christiano Spindler, Tailene Rabello, Filipe Mega, Gabriela Dos Santos Salvalaggio, Simone Marcuzzo.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the effects of strength exercise practice during pregnancy on the offspring's development parameters: growth and motor performance, hippocampal neuroplasticity, and stress levels.
METHODS: Pregnant Wistar rats were divided into two groups: sedentary and exercised rats. Exercised pregnant rats were subjected to a strength training protocol (vertical ladder climbing) throughout the gestational period. Male offspring's body weight, length, and head size were evaluated during the neonatal period (postnatal days [P]2-P21), as well as motor milestones during P0-P8. At P8, a set of male pups were subjected to global hippocampal DNA methylation, hippocampal cell proliferation, and plasma corticosterone concentration.
RESULTS: Offspring from trained mothers presented a transient change in body morphometric evaluations, no differences in milestone assessments, enhancement of cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, and decreased global hippocampal DNA methylation compared with the offspring from sedentary mothers. Furthermore, strength training during pregnancy did not change the corticosterone concentration of exercised mothers and their offspring.
CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that strength training can protect offspring's development and could impact positively on parameters linked to cognitive function. This study provides a greater understanding of the effects of strength exercise practiced during pregnancy on the offspring's health.

Keywords: Epigenetics; Neural Plasticity; Neurogenesis; Physical Activity
Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2021 05 31.

Exercise and estrogen: common pathways in Alzheimer's disease pathology.

Ahmed Bagit, Grant C Hayward, Rebecca Ek MacPherson.

  Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by progressive declines in cognitive function. Current epidemiological data indicates significant sex-linked disparities, where females have a higher risk of developing AD compared to male counterparts. This disparity necessitates further investigations to uncover the pathological and molecular factors influencing these sex differences. Although the underlying pathways behind this observed disparity remain elusive, recent research points to menopausal estrogen loss as a potential factor. Estrogen holds a significant role in APP processing as well as overall neuronal health through the regulation of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) - a factor that is also reduced in post-menopausal women. BDNF is a known contributor to neuronal health, and its reduced expression is typically linked to AD disorders. Exercise is known to increased BDNF and may provide an accessible activity for post-menopausal women to reduce their risk of AD. This review aims to discuss the relationship between estrogen, exercise, and BDNF in AD pathology.

Keywords:  BDNF; amyloid precursor protein; estrogen; neurodegeneration; sex

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpendo.00008.2021
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 May 17. pii: 5344. [Epub ahead of print]18(10):

High-Intensity Interval Training upon Cognitive and Psychological Outcomes in Youth: A Systematic Review.

Ana R Alves, Renata Dias, Henrique P Neiva, Daniel A Marinho, Mário C Marques, António C Sousa, Vânia Loureiro, Nuno Loureiro.

  Development of innovative and time-efficient strategies to involve youth in physical activity is pivotal in the actual inactivity pandemic. Moreover, physical activity may improve academic performance, of great interest for educators. This present systematic review aimed to analyze the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on cognitive performance and psychological outcomes in youth. A database search (Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO) for original research articles was performed. A total of eight articles met the inclusion criteria, and the Cochrane risk of bias tool was used. The studies' results were recalculated to determine effect sizes using Cohen's d. Different HIIT interventions reported improvements on cognitive performance at executive function (d = 0.75, +78.56%), linguistic reasoning (d = 0.25, +7.66%), concentration (d = 0.71, +61.10%), selective attention (d = 0.81, +60.73%), non-verbal and verbal abilities (d = 0.88, +47.50%; d = 1.58, +22.61%, respectively), abstract reasoning (d = 0.75, +44.50%), spatial and numerical abilities (d = 37.19, +22.85%; d = 1.20, +8.28%, respectively), and verbal reasoning (d = 1.00, +15.71%) in youth. Regarding psychological outcomes, HIIT showed higher self-concept (d = 0.28, +8.71%) and psychological well-being in boys and girls (d = 0.73, +32.43%, d = 0.39, +11.58%, respectively). To sum up, HIIT interventions between 4-16 weeks, for 8-30 min/session, at ≥85% maximal heart rate, would provide positive effects on cognitive performance and psychological outcomes in youth.

Keywords:  attention; concentration; evaluation; exercise; performance; self-concept; systematic review; well-being

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18105344
Exp Gerontol. 2021 May 29. pii: S0531-5565(21)00213-8. [Epub ahead of print] 111431

The influence of a 16-week exercise program, APOE status, and age on executive function task performance: A randomized trial.

Renée Martin-Willett, Benjamin A Morris, Gregory R Giordano, Ramsey Wilcox, Jessica R Andrews-Hanna, Marie T Banich, Angela D Bryan.

  Previous research has shown beneficial cognitive changes following exercise training in older adults. However, the work on the potential moderating effects of Apoliprotein E (APOE) ε4 carrier status has been mixed, and the role of exercise intensity remains largely unexplored. The present study sought to examine the influence of APOE ε4 status and exercise intensity on measures of cognitive performance in a group of older adults. Cross-sectional comparisons between a group of younger inactive adults (n = 44, age = 28.86 ± 0.473 SD, 60.5% female) and a group of older inactive adults (n = 142, age = 67.8 ± 5.4, 62.7% female) were made on baseline measurements of APOE ε4 status, VO2peak, and cognitive performance in the domain of executive functioning. The older adults also participated in a randomized controlled exercise trial, exercising three times per week for 16-weeks in either a low-intensity continuous training (LICT) group or a moderate-intensity continuous training plus interval training (MICT+IT) group at the Center for Health and Neuroscience, Genes, and Environment (CUChange) Exercise Laboratory. Follow-up measurements of VO2peak and cognitive performance were collected on the older adults after the exercise intervention. Cross-sectional comparisons between the older and younger adults demonstrated significant impairments among older adults in Stroop effect on error and time, Category Switch mixing effects, and Keep Track task. This impairment was not moderated by APOE ε4 carrier status. Improvements from pre- to post-exercise intervention were observed in both exercise groups in Stroop effect on error ([F (1, 256) = 9.381, p < 0.01, η2 = 0.031]) and Category Switch switching effect reaction time ([F(1, 274) = 4.442, p < 0.05, η2 = 0.020]), with no difference between exercise groups. The moderating effects of APOE ε4 carrier status were mixed. Exercise did not improve the Stroop effect on error among ε4 carriers assigned to MICT+IT when improvements were seen in all other groups. Further research is needed to examine the mechanisms of action by which exercise impacts cognitive task performance, and possible moderators such as genetic variability and exercise intensity.

Keywords:  APOE; Cognition; Executive function; Exercise; Older adults

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2021.111431
Psychiatriki. 2021 May 28.

[Schizophrenia spectrum disorders and physical exercise].

Kostas Makris, Konstantinos Kollias.

  Recent research data points to the beneficial role of physical exercise in mental health. Long-term physical activity may promote neurogenesis and angiogenesis in people with mental illnesses improving their cognitive functions and overall functionality. In many cases, it is strongly recommended to include physical exercise in the therapeutic planning for people with mental illnesses, including schizophrenia. The purpose of this review is to study current research data on the effect of physical exercise on the symptomatology of the first-episode psychosis and schizophrenia as well as to search for any physical exercise programs suitable for the mentally ill. International literature as well as Greek online publications were searched. The search language was English and the search terms were: "schizophrenia", "first episode psychosis", "physical exercise". A study of the literature suggests that physical exercise offers multiple benefits to people with severe mental illness, such as weight control, improved cardiovascular health, preventing metabolic disorders -with the positive implications of the above in relation to receiving antipsychotic treatment- and improving the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, cognitive functioning and global functioning by activating the neuroplasticity of the brain. However, starting and engaging in physical activity programs faces many obstacles for the population under study. It appears that when the physical activity programs offered give participants both pleasure and satisfaction, promote personal choice of physical activity and the opportunity for group interaction during the process, then the likelihood of commitment to them is maximized. The crucial importance of a stable social-supportive environment for the success of intervention programs is mentioned. In addition, there is a need to develop ways of linking mental health services with community physical training centres and incorporating specialized professional coaches into these services. Moreover, this area of research needs further clinical studies to develop more effective training programs that overcome the lack of motivation experienced by people with severe mental illness. Installing treadmills in mental health centres, establishing partnerships with specialized coaches or community training centres and identifying individuals who may benefit from physical exercise programs are some of the first steps addressing the matter of functional recovery from first-episode psychosis and schizophrenia.

Keywords:  Schizophrenia; first episode psychosis; physical exercise

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.22365/jpsych.2021.019
J Funct Morphol Kinesiol. 2021 May 24. pii: 44. [Epub ahead of print]6(2):

Physiological and Psychological Responses to Three Distinct Exercise Training Regimens Performed in an Outdoor Setting: Acute and Delayed Response.

Stefano Benítez-Flores, Carlos A Magallanes, Cristine Lima Alberton, Todd A Astorino.

  The aim of this study was to compare the acute responses to three time-matched exercise regimens. Ten trained adults (age, maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max), and body mass index (BMI) = 25.9 ± 5.6 yr, 50.9 ± 5.4 mL·kg-1·min-1, and 22.1 ± 1.8 kg·m-2) completed sprint interval training (SIT) requiring 14 × 5 s efforts with 35 s of recovery, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) consisting of 18 × 15 s efforts at ~90% of peak heart rate (HRpeak) with 15 s of recovery, and vigorous continuous training (CT) consisting of 8.75 min at ~85 %HRpeak, in randomized order. Heart rate, blood lactate concentration, rating of perceived exertion, affective valence, and enjoyment were monitored. Moreover, indices of neuromuscular function, autonomic balance, diet, mental stress, incidental physical activity (PA), and sleep were measured 24 h after each session to analyze the magnitude of recovery. Both HIIT and CT exhibited a greater %HRpeak and time ≥ 90 %HRpeak than SIT (p < 0.05). Blood lactate and rating of perceived exertion were higher in response to SIT and HIIT vs. CT (p < 0.05); however, there were no differences in enjoyment (p > 0.05). No differences were exhibited in any variable assessed along 24 h post-exercise between conditions (p > 0.05). These data suggest that HIIT and CT accumulate the longest duration at near maximal intensities, which is considered a key factor to enhance VO2max.

Keywords:  continuous training; fatigue; high-intensity interval training; recovery; sprint interval training

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk6020044
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 May 02. pii: 4862. [Epub ahead of print]18(9):

The Effects of the Combination of High-Intensity Interval Training with 3D-Multiple Object Tracking Task on Perceptual-Cognitive Performance: A Randomized Controlled Intervention Trial.

Soo-Yong Park, Thomas Jürgen Klotzbier, Nadja Schott.

  The ability to process goal-related visual information while ignoring goal-irrelevant information is essential for the human attention system. The study aimed to investigate how perceptual-cognitive performance was affected during high-intensity interval training (HIIT) using a 3D-multiple object tracking (3D-MOT) task called Neurotracker (NT). In an experimental design, 42 healthy adults (age M = 23.3 SD = 2.94, VO2max 52.8 ± 5.66 mL·kg-1·min-1) were randomly assigned to an intervention (HIIT + NT, NT, HIIT) or control group. NT performance (20 trials per session) was measured pre-and post-test (at 5, 15, and 25 min while running on the treadmill). The participants trained twice a week for a 4-week intervention period. There was a significant interaction effect between pre/post-test and groups regarding perceptual-cognitive performance, indicating similar enhancements in the HIIT + NT and the NT group during exercise. HIIT influences physical fitness but did not show any impact on perceptual-cognitive performance. Due to the specific NT task characteristics, improved physical abilities may not directly impact sport-specific perceptual-cognitive performance. Our findings suggest that training resulted in substantial task-specific gains. Therefore, combination training may be proposed as a training program to improve perceptual-cognitive, and physical performance in a time-efficient way.

Keywords:  3D-multiple object tracking; cognitive training; high-intensity interval training; perceptual–cognitive skills; working memory

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18094862
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 May 14. pii: 5212. [Epub ahead of print]18(10):

Sex Differences in the Oxygenation of the Left and Right Prefrontal Cortex during Moderate-Intensity Exercise.

Yuta Inagaki, Reo Sato, Takashi Uchiyama, Sho Kojima, Shinichiro Morishita, Weixiang Qin, Atsuhiro Tsubaki.

   INTRODUCTION: Differences in cognitive performance with exercise between men and women have previously been reported. In this study, we evaluated between-sex differences in oxygenation of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) with moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (AE), which could contribute to noted differences in cognitive function.
METHOD: The subjects were ten men (age, 21.5 ± 0.5 years; height, 171.7 ± 4.8 cm; weight, 65.6 ± 5.6 kg) and ten women (age, 21.4 ± 0.5 years; height, 157.6 ± 4.9 cm; weight, 51.3 ± 6.5 kg). They completed our AE protocol, consisting of a 30-min leg-ergometer cycling at an intensity of 50% peak oxygen uptake, with an initial 4-min rest period for baseline measurement. Measures of the dynamics of cerebral oxygenation included: oxygenated hemoglobin (O2Hb) in the left and right PFC (LR-PFC) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (HHb). The 30-min exercise period was subdivided into six 5-min phases, with the average and peak values determined in each phase.
RESULTS: A significant interaction was found between LR-PFC HHb and sex (p < 0.001), with significantly higher values in men than in women in phases 3-6 (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSION: We report a significant sex effect of HHb in the LR-PFC.

Keywords:  aerobic exercise; deoxygenated hemoglobin; oxygenated hemoglobin; prefrontal cortex; sex differences

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18105212