title: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentrations in tetraplegic athletes.
abstract: METHODS
  A prospective cohort with acute tetraplegia.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate acute changes in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentrations in tetraplegic spinal cord-injured (SCI) athletes during a typical training session of wheelchair rugby.
  
  
  METHODS
  German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven male SCI (AIS A and B) athletes completed a 90-min training session: The warm-up period included continuous pushing, submaximal increasing sprints and agility drills. The main training section comprised ball handling, passing drills, scrimmage activity and tactical practice. At the end of the training session, the athletes did moderate continuous pushing as a short cool-down. Venous blood samples were taken at rest before exercise, after the warm-up period and immediately following the first part of the main training section. Serum was pipetted after 30 min of blood sample resting and a subsequent centrifugation. BDNF concentrations were measured using an enzyme immunoassay ELISA kit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Heart rate (P < 0.01) and lactate (P = 0.04 and P < 0.01) concentration differed significantly in warm-up and main training part in comparison with basal values at rest. At rest, BDNF concentrations were 33.2 ± 21.6 ng ml(-1), after warm up 31.9 ± 18.9 ng ml(-1) and after the training session 29.9 ± 11 ng ml(-1), without significant differences (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A typical wheelchair rugby training session does not affect basal serum BDNF concentration in elite SCI athletes. In comparison with concentrations previously reported in healthy subjects, the current values at rest were slightly higher or rather at the upper limit.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Movement and Neurosciences, German Sport University Cologne,Cologne, Germany.|European Research Group in Disability Sport.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zeller
authors.affiliation: Institute of Movement and Neurosciences, German Sport University Cologne,Cologne, Germany.|European Research Group in Disability Sport.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Abel
authors.affiliation: Institute of Movement and Neurosciences, German Sport University Cologne,Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rojas-Vega
authors.affiliation: Institute of Movement and Neurosciences, German Sport University Cologne,Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Foitschik
authors.affiliation: Institute of Movement and Neurosciences, German Sport University Cologne,Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: H K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Strueder
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications; D014910:Wheelchairs
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D019344:Lactic Acid