title: Increased basal plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in sprint runners.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Exercise is known to enhance circulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in healthy humans. BDNF changes have been measured in endurance but not in strength exercise. The present study aimed to investigate whether anaerobic activity such as sprinting differentially alters basal plasma BDNF concentration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Brazilian sprinters (100 m) at either the international (Olympics and Outdoor World Championships) (n = 14) or the domestic level (n = 8), and sedentary subjects (n = 15), were recruited. Plasma BDNF concentrations were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The basal plasma BDNF concentrations were significantly higher in the international and the domestic sprinters than in the sedentary subjects. In addition, sprinters at the international level had higher plasma BDNF concentrations than those at the domestic level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that increased basal plasma BDNF level is related to enhanced exercise performance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paulo Roberto
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Correia
authors.forename: Fulvio Alexandre
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Scorza
authors.forename: Sérgio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gomes da Silva
authors.forename: Aline
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pansani
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Toscano-Silva
authors.forename: Antonio Carlos
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: de Almeida
authors.forename: Ricardo Mario
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Arida
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor