Journal Meeting: Enhancing cognitive function through blood flow restriction: An effective resistance exercise modality for middle-aged women
PACN Journal Meeting
Physical Activity and Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, National Taiwan Normal University
162, Section 1, Heping E. Rd., Taipei City, Daan Dist. 106
Presentation Highlights / 報告精華
Introduction & Rationale
Cognitive decline progresses more rapidly in women than in men, with a higher prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases observed in females. While exercise has been shown to enhance cognitive function through the upregulation of neurotrophic factors (like BDNF, VEGF, and IGF-1), high-load resistance exercise may not be suitable for all populations, particularly middle-aged women. Low-load resistance exercise with blood flow restriction (LLBFR) has emerged as an effective alternative.
Key Findings
- Cognitive Performance: Only the LLBFR condition showed significant improvements in Color-Word Stroop Task (CWST) reaction time, with no changes in error rates, indicating enhanced cognitive performance.
- Neurotrophic Factors: Serum BDNF and VEGF levels increased significantly following both LLBFR and moderate-load resistance exercise (MLRE). IGF-1 levels remained unchanged across conditions.
- Metabolic Responses: Increases in lactate concentrations were positively correlated with changes in BDNF and VEGF.
Practical Application
A single session of LLBFR successfully improves cognitive function and upregulates key neurotrophic factors (BDNF and VEGF) in middle-aged women. This makes LLBFR an effective and practical intervention for promoting cognitive health in this population.
研究動機與背景
女性認知衰退的速度較男性更快，且神經退化性疾病的盛行率也較高。雖然運動能透過提升神經營養因子（如 BDNF、VEGF 和 IGF-1）來改善認知功能，但高負荷阻力訓練並不一定適合所有族群，尤其是中年女性。因此，低負荷血流限制阻力訓練（LLBFR）成為了一種安全且有效的替代方案。
核心發現
- 認知表現：僅有 LLBFR 組在史楚普色詞測驗（CWST）的反應時間有顯著進步，且錯誤率未增加，顯示認知表現獲得實質提升。
- 神經營養因子：在執行 LLBFR 與中等負荷阻力訓練（MLRE）後，血清中的 BDNF 與 VEGF 濃度皆顯著上升，而 IGF-1 則無顯著變化。
- 代謝反應：乳酸濃度的增加與 BDNF 及 VEGF 的變化量呈現正相關。
實務建議
單次低負荷血流限制阻力訓練（LLBFR）即可改善中年女性的認知功能，並提升關鍵的神經營養因子（BDNF 與 VEGF）。這項結果表明，LLBFR 可作為促進該族群認知健康的有效介入策略。
報告資訊
- Presenter / 報告人: Steve Ying-Chu Chen, Ph.D. candidate
- Advisor / 指導教授: Yu-Kai Chang (張育愷), Ph.D.
- Lab / 實驗室: Physical Activity & Cognitive Neuroscience Lab (PACN Lab), NTNU
