Effects of Endurance Training, Detraining, and Shock Training on BDNF Levels and Physical Performance

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper I Open Access I Released under (CC BY-NC 4.0) license

Authors

1 Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran

2 Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran.

3 Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran / Division of Clinical Physiology, Department of laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.

Abstract

Endurance training enhances physiological and functional capacities; however, subsequent detraining may attenuate or reverse these adaptations. Nonetheless, the effects of relative detraining and shock training on endurance performance and hippocampal and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels remain insufficiently investigated. This study aimed to investigate the effects of endurance training, detraining, and shock training on endurance performance and BDNF levels in the hippocampus and serum of male rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 24 male Wistar rats (mean weight 247.05 ± 6.75 g) were acclimatized for one week and randomly assigned to four groups: control, endurance training, endurance training + detraining, and endurance training + shock training. The endurance training program consisted of 12 weeks of treadmill running (5 sessions per week). The shock training group, after 8 weeks of endurance training and a 1-week reduced-load period, underwent one 40-minute weekly session at 20–30 m/min from weeks 10 to 12. Endurance performance was assessed using an exhaustion test, and hippocampal and serum BDNF levels were measured via ELISA. Data were analyzed using ANOVA with a significance threshold of P < 0.05. Results: Endurance training significantly improved endurance performance (P = 0.001). Detraining led to a significant decline in performance (P = 0.001) and a 20% reduction in hippocampal BDNF levels. Shock training mitigated the performance decline (P = 0.001) and attenuated the reduction in hippocampal BDNF by 10% compared to the detraining group. Additionally, shock training significantly increased serum BDNF levels compared to the detraining group (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Shock training during detraining periods can prevent substantial declines in endurance performance and BDNF levels in both the hippocampus and serum. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating shock training into exercise programs to maintain physiological gains.

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Journal of Applied Health Studies in Sport Physiology

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 06 December 2025

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History

  • Receive Date: 26 May 2025
  • Revise Date: 04 December 2025
  • Accept Date: 24 November 2025

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