Background: Neurotrophins belong to a small group of growth factors family and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) as one of the most active forms of them is widely distributed in mammalian brain and also can be found in plasma and platelets. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of acute circuit resistance exercise on plasma BDNF concentration in young healthy men.
Materials and methods:  In this semi experimental study, twelve young healthy men (age 22.1±2.1 y, height 176.2±6.5 cm, and weight 69.0±8.2 kg) were selected and after familiarization sessions and determining of maximal strength (1-RM), referred to the laboratory after both sessions of exercise or control. The circuit resistance exercise was performed at an intensity corresponding to 55% of 1-RM, consisted of three sets of 15 repetitions and two minutes rest between them. Blood samples from antecubital vein were collected at before, immediately after, after one hour recovery, and next morning after the exercise session. Data were analyzed with ANOVA method with repeated measure at p<0.05 level.
Results: The results showed that circuit resistance exercise led to significant increase in levels of BDNF immediately after the exercise (p=0.001), but no significant changes were found in BDNF levels at one hour recovery and next morning after the exercise sessions.
Conclusion: According to the results of this study, it seems that acute circuit resistance exercise is strong stimulus for the transient increase in plasma BDNF. Therefore, as the result of the beneficial effects of BDNF, this increase could be effective on brain health.