Examination of Serum BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) Levels in Judokas

Year 2023, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, 252 - 257, 31.08.2023

Geylan Bostan , Murat Can , Mustafa Gümüş

https://doi.org/10.29058/mjwbs.1320287

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential effects of judo on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic
Factor (BDNF) levels, and to understand its impact on athletic performance and overall brain health Additionally, by comparing BDNF levels between sedentary individuals and judokas, the study aims to gain deeper insights into the potential
impact of a sedentary lifestyle on BDNF levels. Judo, with its training principles, is considered a sport that could positively affect BDNF levels.
The specific objective of this research is to analyze the serum BDNF levels of members of the Turkish National Judo Team.
Material and Methods: The sample of our study consists of a total of 40 healthy volunteers, including 20 national-level judokas and
20 sedentary control subjects (with no exercise for at least a year), aged between 17 and 22. The participating judokas were randomly
selected from Turkish national teams, while the control group was selected through random sampling from individuals who had not previously
engaged in regular physical activity. Body mass index (BMI) measurements of the subjects were taken using the Segmental Body Analysis
Scale. Blood samples for BDNF measurement were drawn intravenously. For all statistical analyses in the study, results with a p-value less
than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Results: Statistically significant differences were observed in age, fat percentage, and fat mass between judokas and sedentary participants
(p<0.05). However, no statistically significant differences were observed in height, weight, lean mass, and BMI values (p>0.05). When
biochemical parameters were analyzed, BDNF levels in the judoka group [1264.8 ± 438.0 pg/mL (466 - 1822 pg/mL)] were higher than the
sedentary group [1166.2 pg/mL ± 314.9 (473 - 1645 pg/mL)], although the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). A statistically
significant positive correlation was found between serum BDNF and weight in the judoka group, and between serum BDNF and height in
the sedentary group (p<0.05).
Conclusion: According to the results of our study, no statistically significant difference was found in serum BDNF levels between judokas
and sedentary individuals. However, the higher serum BDNF levels observed in judokas could indicate a positive impact of the sport on
serum BDNF concentrations. These findings highlight the need for more comprehensive studies to further investigate the potential effects
of judo on BDNF levels

Keywords

BDNF, judo, physical activity

Project Number

Yok

Judocuların Serum Beyin-Kaynaklı Nörotrofik Faktör (BDNF) Seviyelerinin İncelenmesi

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışma, judonun Beyin-Kaynaklı Nörotrofik Faktör (BDNF) üzerindeki olası etkilerini
belirlemeyi ve spor performansı ile genel beyin sağlığı üzerindeki etkisini anlamayı amaçlamaktadır.
Ayrıca, sedanter bireylerin BDNF seviyeleri ile judocu bireyler arasında bir karşılaştırma yaparak,
sedanter yaşam tarzının BDNF üzerindeki potansiyel etkisini daha derinlemesine kavramak da
çalışmanın hedeflerindendir. Judo’nun antrenman prensipleri, BDNF seviyelerine olumlu bir etki
yapabileceği düşünülen bir spor dalı olarak kabul edilir. Bu çalışmanın spesifik hedefi, Türk Milli Judo
Takımı üyelerinin serum BDNF seviyelerinin analizini yapmaktır.
Gereç ve Yöntemler: Çalışmamızın örneklemi, 20 milli judocu ve 20 sedanter kontrol grubu (en az
bir yıl ve üzeri egzersiz yapmamış) dahil olmak üzere toplam 40 sağlıklı gönüllüden (17-22 yaş arası)
oluşmaktadır. Çalışmaya katılan judocular, Türk milli takımları içerisinden rastgele örnekleme yöntemi
kullanılarak seçilmiştir. Kontrol grubu ise, daha önce düzenli fiziksel aktivite ile ilgilenmemiş bireyler
arasından rastgele örnekleme yöntemi kullanılarak seçilmiştir. Deneklerin vücut kütle indeksi (VKİ)
ölçümleri Segmental Vücut Analiz Tartısı ile ölçülmüştür. BDNF ölçümü için kan örnekleri damar yoluyla
alınmıştır. Çalışmanın tüm istatistiksel analizlerinde p değeri 0.05’in altında olan sonuçlar istatistiksel
olarak anlamlı olarak kabul edilmiştir.
Bulgular: Judocu ve sedanterlerin yaş, yağ yüzdesi ve yağ kütlesi değerlerinin istatistiksel olarak birbirinden
farklı olduğu görülmüştür (p<0.05). Bunun yanı sıra, boy, kilo, yağsız kütle ve VKİ değerleri
arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir farklılık gözlenmemiştir (p>0.05). Biyokimyasal parametre farklılıkları
incelendiğinde, BDNF sonuçları judocu grupta [1264,8 ± 438,0 pg/mL (466 - 1822 pg/mL)] sedanter
gruba [1166,2 pg/mL ± 314,9 (473 - 1645 pg/mL)] göre yüksek olsa da iki grup arasında istatistiksel
olarak anlamlı bir fark bulunmadı (p>0.05). Judocu grupta serum BDNF ile kilo arasında, sedanter grupta
serum BDNF ile boy arasında istatistiksel açıdan anlamlı pozitif korelasyon saptanmıştır (p<0.05).
Sonuç: Çalışmamızın sonuçlarına göre, judocu ve sedanter bireyler arasında serum BDNF düzeylerinde
istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir fark bulunmamıştır. Bununla birlikte, judocularda gözlemlenen yüksek
serum BDNF düzeyleri, sporun serum BDNF konsantrasyonları üzerinde olumlu bir etki yapabileceğine
işaret edebilir. Bu bulgular, judonun BDNF üzerindeki potansiyel etkilerini daha ayrıntılı olarak incelemek
amacıyla daha kapsamlı araştırmaların gerekliliğini vurgulamaktadır.

Keywords

BDNF, Judo, fiziksel aktivite

Supporting Institution

Yok

Project Number

Yok

Thanks

Yok

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