The Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor and Attention of Elderly Females

One of the main concerns of aged people is the attention attenuation in the aging period. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise on Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and attention/ concentration of elderly females. It was a semi experimental study with 41 elderly subjects with mean age of 66±3.2yr whom were randomly assigned into either an exercise (EG, n=21) or a control group (CG, n=20). fasting blood test was taken 24 hours prior to experiment and 24 hours after the end of tests. COG test in Viena system was used to collect data.The aerobic training group trained for 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week, 30 to 45 hours in each session. The aerobic training performed with 40% to 55% of maximum heart rate. Training group had rank percentile of 87 compared to reference group while it was 34 for control group. The results suggested that speed processing(P=0.001)selective attention (P=0.001)and concentration (P=0.001) were significantly improved in the training group. Since a direct relationship has been foun between BDNF and Aerobic Excercises, besides, the positive eddefct of BDNF on cognitive capacities is well proven, therefore, a mild type of aerobic exercise colud imrove the psychomotor performance.