Purpose: Cortisol and BDNF are two factors that affect the human brain neurogenesis. The purpose of this study was to comparison the effect of two exhaustive aerobic and anaerobic physical activity on serum BDNF and cortisol levels and their relationship together in active men.
Material and Methods: 16 active students divided into two groups randomly. Tests used in this study consisted of Cunningham and Faulkner test for anaerobic group and Astrand test for aerobic group. blood sample was taken before and immediately after exhaustion.
Results: T-test results showed that both acute exhaustive anaerobic and aerobic exercise increases significantly BDNF level (P < 0/05). Also, Serum cortisol levels following Implementation of aerobic and anaerobic exercise to exhaustion decreased significantly (P < 0/05) and increased non significantly (P>0/05), respectively. There was no significant correlation between cortisol and BDNF levels in the two groups. Likewise, independent samples t-test showed no significantly different between aerobic and anaerobic groups in BDNF and COR levels.
Conclusion: The present results indicate exhaustive aerobic and anaerobic exercise had significant and positive impact on serum BDNF. Due to the lack of correlation between these two factors can be stated that probably run acute aerobic and anaerobic activity is not increased COR to the extent that suppresses BDNF levels in active individuals, therefore is not a threat to the health of the nervous system.