Author(s): TSAI, C., CHANG, C.L., WANG, C.T., Institution: NATIONAL CHENG KUNG UNIVERSITY, Country: TAIWAN, Abstract-ID: 161

INTRODUCTION:
Estrogen plays a crucial role in female neurobiology and contributes to prefrontal cortex function [1], which is responsible for executive functions such as inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility [2]. Consequently, cognitive decline (e.g., interference control) often emerges in women after menopause. Regular physical exercise is a non-pharmacological approach that effectively ameliorates cognitive function [3]. However, different exercise modalities may induce distinct molecular biomarker responses and neurocognitive effects [4]. To date, no studies have examined whether different types of exercise facilitate distinct myokine release in postmenopausal women. In addition, the molecular mechanisms underlying regular exercise–induced neuropsychological changes, as well as the interrelationships among these factors, remain unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 16-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT), whole-body vibration (WBV), and combined HIIT and WBV interventions on interference control performance and circulating myokine levels [e.g., brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), irisin, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and osteocalcin (OC)] in postmenopausal women.
METHODS:
Sixty-seven postmenopausal women (aged 55-75 years) were randomly assigned to one of three training conditions: HIIT (n = 22), combined HIIT plus WBV (n = 22), or WBV (n = 23). Cognitive performance was assessed using a computerized Stroop task, while serum concentrations of myokines were measured at baseline and following completion of the 16-week intervention. To evaluate changes in neurocognitive performance and biochemical markers across time and between groups, mixed-design factorial analyses of variance and repeated-measures ANOVAs were conducted.
RESULTS:
Training did not result in significant alterations in reaction time across any of the intervention groups. However, participants in the HIIT group demonstrated significant improvements in accuracy during incompatible trials in both the word-reading (p = .021) and color-naming (p = .007) conditions. In contrast, individuals assigned to the HIIT+WBV and WBV groups showed enhanced accuracy not only in incompatible trials across both task blocks (ps < .004), but also in the compatible word-reading condition (ps < .031). Analysis of circulating biomarkers revealed modality-specific molecular adaptations. In the HIIT group, postintervention levels of BDNF (p < .001) and irisin (p = .019) increased significantly. The combined HIIT+WBV intervention elicited significant elevations in IGF-1, BDNF, irisin, and OC (all ps < .020). Meanwhile, participants in the WBV group exhibited significant increases in IGF-1 (p = .003) and OC (p < .001). Notably, gains in accuracy performance were positively associated with changes in BDNF and/or irisin in both the HIIT and HIIT+WBV groups (r = 0.47–0.55, ps < .026), whereas improvements in the WBV group were significantly correlated with changes in IGF-1 and OC (r = 0.43–0.51, ps < .039).
CONCLUSION:
Collectively, these findings demonstrate that HIIT, WBV, and their combined application induce distinct profiles of myokine secretion alongside differential improvements in executive function among postmenopausal women. Of the three training approaches, the combined HIIT+WBV intervention produced the most robust and comprehensive effects, suggesting that its cognitive benefits may be mediated through the engagement of multiple, modality-specific molecular mechanisms. (Grant number: MOST 111-2410-H-006-018-MY3)

References
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