Changes in metabolites level in internet-addicted adolescents through exercise

Abstract

Background: Internet addiction has been particularly prevalent among adolescents in recent years. This type of addiction, similar to drug addiction, causes dependence and disturbance in brain reward pathways. Physical activity is one way to prevent and treat some types of addiction. Aerobic exercise affects the dopaminergic and serotonergic pathways and improves the side effects of addiction. In this study, we examined the effect of eight weeks of aerobic exercise on the dopamine metabolite including homovanillic acid, L-tryptophan and 5-hydroxy indole acetic acid, which are precursors and the final product of serotonin metabolism in adolescent boys with internet addiction.

Materials and methods: Twenty-nine healthy non-internet addicted and internet-addicted boys were selected and divided into three groups: exercising internet-addicted (G1), internet-addicted (G2), and healthy non-internet addicted (G3) groups. Before and after aerobic exercise, 24-h urine samples were collected, and the target metabolites were analyzed spectrophotometrically.

Results: Results showed that for pre-exercise subjects, there was a significant difference in the homovanillic acid levels in G3 as compared to G1 and G2. For post-exercise cases, the changes were significant in G1 in comparison to G2 and for G2 in comparison G3. For pre-exercise subjects, there was a significant difference in the L-tryptophan level in G3 and G1, as well as G3 and G2.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that Aerobic exercise can improve the dopaminergic system that is disrupted by internet addiction.

Keywords: 5-Hydroxy indole acetic acid; Aerobic exercise; Homovanillic acid; Internet addiction; L-tryptophan.