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The combined effect of six weeks of resistance training and Sudoku mental exercise on serum BDNF, IGF-1 levels, and working memory in university students
Sara Arman , Nabi Shamsaei * , Hadi Abdi
Department of Sports Physiology, Faculty of Humanities, Ilam University, Ilam, Iran , n.shamsaei@ilam.ac.ir
Abstract:   (23 Views)
Background and aims: Growing evidence suggests that resistance training and cognitive games, such as Sudoku, may enhance cognitive performance and memory. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a six-week intervention combining resistance training and Sudoku mental exercises on serum levels of BDNF, IGF-1, and working memory in female students at Ilam University.
Methods: A total of 40 female students were recruited through purposive sampling of available volunteers and randomly assigned to four experimental groups (n=10 each): 1) Resistance training alone, 2) Sudoku alone, 3) Combined (training + Sudoku), and 4) control group. The interventions were conducted three times per week for six weeks. Blood samples and working memory tests were administered before and after the training protocols.
Results: The results revealed a statistically significant increase in serum BDNF and IGF-1 levels across all intervention groups (training, Sudoku, and combined) (p< 0.001). Working memory performance improved significantly only in the Sudoku group and the combined intervention group compared to baseline measurements (p< 0.05). Between-group comparisons showed that the combined intervention yielded significantly greater improvements in serum BDNF levels (p< 0.05), IGF-1 concentrations (p< 0.01), and working memory performance (p< 0.001) relative to the control group.
Conclusion: Combining resistance training with Sudoku cognitive exercise produces synergistic effects on serum neurotrophic factor levels and working memory performance, surpassing the benefits of either intervention alone. The results underscore the clinical relevance of integrated physical-cognitive interventions as an effective strategy for enhancing brain health and cognitive function in young adults.
 
Keywords: Resistance training, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Insulin-like growth factor-1, Memory
Full-Text [PDF 2013 kb]   (20 Downloads)    
Type of Study: Original |
Received: 2025/06/5 | Revised: 2025/09/20 | Accepted: 2025/07/1
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