Synapse
⌘+K
Synapse
PulseExploreClubsResearchersJournals
Instagram
HomeClubsExplore
June 12, 2026Brain ResearchOpen Access

A single bout of acute cardiovascular exercise significantly increased circulating BDNF in healthy adults (Hedges' g 0.48; 95% CI 0.29-0.68; p<0.001).

View Full Paper
Ask AI
Bookmark
Share

Why the study?

Does a single bout of acute cardiovascular exercise increase circulating neurotrophic factors in healthy adults?

Population

628 healthy adults from 22 studies

Comparison

A single bout of acute cardiovascular exercise vs Pre-exercise baseline levels

Design

Meta-analysis

Follow-up

Immediate post-exercise

Key result

A single bout of acute cardiovascular exercise significantly increased circulating BDNF in healthy adults (Hedges' g 0.48; 95% CI 0.29-0.68; p<0.001).

Authors

DMDavid MoreauBLBreyten T. Chapple-De Lange

Discussion

Loading...

Member takes

Overview

Associated BDNF increase merits further study; leaves open its clinical utility as a cardiovascular biomarker.

Key Points

  • This review aims to clarify how acute cardiovascular exercise influences neurotrophic factors related to brain plasticity.
  • Conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 22 studies (N=628) on neurotrophic outcomes from a single exercise bout.
  • Evaluated brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1).
  • Utilized focused random-effects meta-analysis for studies providing pre- and post-exercise BDNF data.
  • Confirmed significant increase in BDNF post-exercise with pooled Hedges' g=0.48, 95% CI [0.29, 0.68], p<0.001.
  • Larger BDNF increases observed after higher intensity exercise and in younger adults.
  • VEGF and IGF-1 showed limited evidence, making them difficult to analyze.

Study Design

Type

Meta-Analysis (n=628)

Structured PICO

Does a single bout of acute cardiovascular exercise increase circulating neurotrophic factors in healthy adults?

P
Population
628 healthy adults from 22 studies undergoing a single bout of cardiovascular exercise to assess circulating neurotrophic factors.
I
Intervention
A single bout of acute cardiovascular exercise
C
Comparator
Pre-exercise baseline levels
O
Outcome
Circulating levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)surrogate

Main Result

Standardized Mean Difference: 0.48 (95% CI 0.29–0.68)

p-value: p=<0.001

A single bout of cardiovascular exercise transiently increases circulating BDNF in healthy adults, with larger effects seen at higher intensities and in younger adults.

Limitations

  • Evidence for VEGF and IGF-1 was limited, inconsistent, and too sparse to pool
  • Methodological variability across studies
  • Evidence for VEGF and IGF-1 was limited and inconsistent, and too sparse to pool
  • Methodological variability

Cite This Study

Moreau et al. (2026) conducted a meta-analysis in Healthy adults (n=628). Acute cardiovascular exercise vs. Pre-exercise baseline was evaluated on Circulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) (Hedges' g 0.48, 95% CI 0.29, 0.68, p=<0.001). A single bout of acute cardiovascular exercise significantly increased circulating BDNF in healthy adults (Hedges' g 0.48; 95% CI 0.29-0.68; p<0.001).

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a2bd53e5937892ebadfc154https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2026.150428
View Full Paper
Ask AI
Bookmark
Share

Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1Exercise as Modulator of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Adolescents: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials2025 · 6 citations
  2. 2Acute and chronic effects of aerobic exercise on serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor in patients with coronary artery disease2026
  3. 3Exercise as Modulator of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in Children: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials2025 · 15 citations
  4. 4Effects of Single-Bout Endurance Exercise Intensity on Peripheral Neurotrophic Factors in Patients With Ischemic Stroke During the Subacute Phase of Rehabilitation2026
  5. 5Effect of exercise on brain-derived neurotrophic factors in middle-aged and older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis2025 · 5 citations