Physical exercise protects against age-related cognitive decline. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may mediate some of the cognitive benefits of physical exercise, but the effect of physical exercise on serum BDNF is unclear. Indeed, differential findings have been reported depending on the characteristics of the participants and the intensity, duration, and type of exercise. The aim of this study was to determine whether three different physical exercise interventions alter serum BDNF levels in older adults living in long-term nursing homes (LTNHs) and whether changes in physical, cognitive, and dual-task performance are related to changes in serum BDNF. LTNH study participants (n = 126) were randomly assigned to multicomponent or dual-task training or a walking program and serum BDNF levels were analyzed by ELISA. We also assessed physical, cognitive, and dual-task parameters. Neither the multicomponent, dual-task, nor walking exercise programs caused changes in serum BDNF concentration in older adults living in LTNHs. Changes in BDNF during the interventions were not significantly associated with modifications in physical, cognitive or dual-task performance parameters. Our results provide new evidence clarifying the relationship between physical and cognitive exercise and BDNF.

体育锻炼可以防止与年龄有关的认知能力下降。脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）可能介导体育锻炼的某些认知益处，但是体育锻炼对血清BDNF的影响尚不清楚。实际上，已经根据参与者的特征以及强度，持续时间和运动类型报告了不同的发现。这项研究的目的是确定三种不同的体育锻炼干预措施是否会改变居住在长期护理院（LTNHs）中的老年人的血清BDNF水平，以及身体，认知和双重任务表现的变化是否与血清变化有关BDNF。LTNH研究参与者（n = 126）被随机分配到多组分或双任务训练或步行计划中，并通过ELISA分析血清BDNF水平。我们还评估了身体，认知和双重任务参数。多组分，双重任务或步行锻炼程序均未引起居住在LTNHs中的老年人血清BDNF浓度的变化。干预期间BDNF的变化与身体，认知或双任务表现参数的改变没有显着相关。我们的结果提供了新的证据，阐明了体育锻炼和认知锻炼与BDNF之间的关系。