Effect of Immobilization Acute Stress on Spatial Learning and Memory of Male Rats and Its Effect Moderation through Swimming

Stress and its effects on mental functions are among influential factors of mental health; therefore, approaches to prevent the effects of stress, especially non-medical approaches, are beneficial. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the effect of restrained stress and swimming exercise on spatial learning and memory in male rats.

The present experimental study was conducted on 28 Albino-Westar rats assigned randomly to four groups (stress, swimming, stress+swimming, and control). Rats in stress group were exposed to immobilization stress (2h per day × 7 days), the swimming group were trained swimming (2h.per day × 7 days), and the stress+swimming group received the same stress protocol as stress group was and then received the same swimming training as swimming group for seven days. The control group performed behavioral tests without any intervention. Behavioral examination of the rats was performed using Morris Water Maze during both acquisition and recall levels.

The results reported significant progress in the traveled distance and escape latency of all groups in the acquisition phase (P≤05/0). However, the one-way ANOVA demonstrated that the swimming and stress+swimming groups traveled less distance compared to stress (P=0.007; P=0.03) and control groups (P=0.0001; P=0.001). In addition, the swimming group spent significantly less time to reach the target compared with the stress and control groups (P = 0.006 = 0.003). Furthermore, the stress + swimming group spent less time to reach the hidden platform compared with the stress and control group (P = 0.01; P= 0.001).

The swimming exercise can individually enhance the cognitive function. In addition, when there is stress, using swimming exercises in addition to stressful conditions can reduce the distance and time to reach the platform.