Nordic Walking training in BungyPump form improves cognitive functions and physical performance and induces changes in amino acids and kynurenine profiles in older adults

Ewa Rodziewicz-Flis; Ulana Juhas; Jakub Antoni Kortas; Joanna Jaworska; Ilona Bidzan-Bluma; Anna Babińska; Katarzyna Micielska; Małgorzata Żychowska; Giovanni Lombardi; Jędrzej Antosiewicz; Ewa Ziemann

doi:10.3389/fendo.2023.1151184

Nordic Walking training in BungyPump form improves cognitive functions and physical performance and induces changes in amino acids and kynurenine profiles in older adults

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023 Sep 11:14:1151184. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1151184. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physiotherapy, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, Poland.
² Department of Bioenergetics and Physiology of Exercise, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.
³ Department of Health and Natural Sciences, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, Poland.
⁴ Department of Physiology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.
⁵ Department of Psychology, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, Poland.
⁶ Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.
⁷ Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.
⁸ Department of Physical Education and Lifelong Sports, Poznan University of Physical Education, Poznan, Poland.
⁹ Department of Biological Foundations of Physical Culture, Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, Poland.
¹⁰ Department of Athletics, Strength and Conditioning, Poznan University of Physical Education, Poznan, Poland.
¹¹ Laboratory of Experimental Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milano, Italy.

Abstract

Introduction: Although impacts of physical activity on cognitive functions have been intensively investigated, they are still far from being completely understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 12 weeks of the Nordic Walking training with BungyPump resistance poles (NW-RSA) on the amino acid and kynurenine profiles as well as selected myokine/exerkine concentrations, which may modify the interface between physical and cognitive functions.

Methods: A group of 32 older adults participated in the study. Before and after the intervention, body composition, cognitive functions, and physical performance were assessed. Blood samples were taken before and 1 h after the first and last sessions of the NW-RSA training, to determine circulating levels of exercise-induced proteins, i.e., brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), irisin, kynurenine (KYN), metabolites, and amino acids.

Results: The NW-RSA training induced a significant improvement in cognitive functions and physical performance as well as a reduction in fat mass (p = 0.05). Changes were accompanied by a decline in resting serum BDNF (p = 0.02) and a slight reduction in irisin concentration (p = 0.08). Still, changes in irisin concentration immediately after the NW-RSA intervention depended on shifts in kynurenine-irisin dropped as kynurenine increased. The kynurenine-to-tryptophan and phenylalanine-to-tyrosine ratios decreased significantly, suggesting their possible involvement in the amelioration of cognitive functions. No changes of glucose homeostasis or lipid profile were found. Shifts in the concentrations of selected amino acids might have covered the increased energy demand in response to the NW-RSA training and contributed to an improvement of physical performance.

Conclusion: Regular Nordic Walking training with additional resistance (BungyPump) improved cognitive functions and physical performance. These positive effects were associated with a reduced BDNF concentration and kynurenine-to-tryptophan ratio as well as changes in the amino acid profile.

Keywords: brain-derived neurotrophic factor; exerkines; irisin; mental health; training physical.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Amino Acids*
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
Cognition
Fibronectins
Kynurenine*
Nordic Walking
Phenylalanine
Physical Functional Performance
Tryptophan

Substances

Amino Acids
Kynurenine
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
Tryptophan
Fibronectins
Phenylalanine

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the National Science Center OPUS_15, project no. NCN 2018/29/B/NZ7/02094.