The Effect of Eight Weeks of Aerobic and Resistance Training on Serum Concentrations of Nerve Growth Factor and Neurotrophin 4 in Women with Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy is a peripheral nerve disorder in people with diabetes that affects the nerve fibers in these patients. This study has been perforemd aiming to investigate the effect of eight weeks of aerobic and resistance training on serum concentrations of nerve growth factor and neurotrophin 4 in women with diabetic neuropathy. Forty-two diabetic women with the avergae age of 47.97 ±4.58 years were selecetd by convenience sampling. Then, they were randomly divided into three groups including the control, aerobic and resistance training groups (15 people in each group). NGF and NT4 levels were measured by sandwitch ELISA before and after training . The training program was done for eight weeks (three sessions a week) with 50-70% of heart rate reserve. Resistance training was also continued for eight weeks and three sessions a week with an intensity of 40-60% of a maximum repetition. Repeated measures ANOVA test was used for data analysis. The results of the significant increase in serum NGF levels were compared in aerobic (p=0.001) and resistance (p=0.001) groups after eight weeks; the changes were not significant compared to the control group (p≤0.05) and in comparison of the two mentioend groups (P=0.50).Also, significance of the increase in serum NT4 levels was comapred in aerobic (p=0.015) and resistance (p=0.153) groups after eight weeks; the changes in the groups were significant compared to control group, but not comaprd to each other (p=1.00). Aerobic resistance training seems to have a protective effect on progression of diabetic neuropathy, and it can even slow or improve the progression of the disease.