Abstract
Environmental enrichment (EE) is defined as a combination of complex inanimate and social stimulation. Physical activity and EE may augment the beneficial effects of each other. This study aimed to assess the effects of running in an enriched environment on neurotrophic factors in adult males. Twelve volunteer adult males (age 26.75 ± 5.34 yrs, body mass 70.72 ± 8.61 kg, height 172.50 ± 5.68 cm, VO(2max) 56.8 ± 2.93) completed two sessions, each consisted of one hour of running at an intensity of 12-13 on the Borg Scale. One session was completed in a normal environment, while the other was performed in an enriched environment (running track with several obstacles). Participants completed this randomized cross-over study interspersed by two weeks. Ten minutes before and after each session, blood samples were collected from all participants. Serum levels of BDNF, IGF-1, and VEGF were measured by ELISA. There was a statistically significant interaction of condition and exercise on BDNF, F (1, 11) = 43.71, p < 0.001, ηP2 = 0.799; IGF-1, F (1, 11) = 83.58, p < 0.001, ηP2 = 0.884; and VEGF, F (1, 11) = 31.86, p < 0.001, ηP2 = 0.743. There was also a significant effect of condition on BDNF F (1, 11) = 21.08, p = 0.001, ηP2 = 0.657; IGF-1, F (1, 11) = 32.35, p < 0.001, ηP2 = 0.746; and VEGF, F (1, 11) = 116.29, p < 0.001, ηP2 = 0.914. In addition, there was a significant effect of Exercise on BDNF F (1, 11) = 52.86, p < 0.001, ηP2 = 0.828; IGF-1, F (1, 11) = 39.14, p < 0.001, ηP2 = 0.781; and VEGF, F (1, 11) = 171.21, p < 0.001, ηP2 = 0.940. One hour of moderate-intensity running in adult males significantly increased serum levels of BDNF, IGF-1, and VEGF. But, exercising in an enriched environment may have a significantly greater effect. Therefore, if enhancing neurotrophic factors are desired outcomes of training sessions, then including obstacles may enhance the likelihood of achieving this goal.