The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a protein mainly synthetized in the neurons. Early evidence showed that BDNF participates in cognitive processes as measured at the hippocampus. This neurotrophin is as a reliable marker of brain function; moreover, recent studies have demonstrated that BDNF participates in physiological processes such as glucose homeostasis and lipid metabolism. The BDNF has been also studied using the exercise paradigm to determine its response to different exercise modalities; therefore, BDNF is considered a new member of the exercise-related molecules. The high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is an exercise protocol characterized by low work volume performed at a high intensity [i.e., ≥80% of maximal heart rate (HRmax)]. Recent evidence supports the contention that HIIT elicits higher fat oxidation in skeletal muscle than other forms of exercise. Similarly, HIIT is a good stimulus to increase maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max). Few studies have investigated the impact of HIIT on the BDNF response. The present work summarizes the effects of acute and long-term HIIT on BDNF.

Background: Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) increases neuronal viability and cognitive function, peripheral lipid metabolism and skeletal muscle repair. The primary purpose of this study was to determine the effect of short‐term high‐intensity interval training (HIIT) on serum BDNF concentrations in healthy young women. Methods: Seventeen women (age:22 ± 1 years); body mass index (BMI:24.2 ± 2.2 kg/m²), body fat percentage (% fat:25.8 ± 4.7) participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to a control (n = 8) or HIIT group (n = 9). All participants performed a graded exercise test (GXT) on an electronically‐braked cycle ergometer to determine maximal aerobic power (MAP, Watts). HIIT was performed three days per week for four weeks. Each HIIT session consisted of three to five cycling bouts of 30 s each at 80% MAP, followed by four‐minutes of recovery at 40% MAP. Forty‐eight hours after the last bout of exercise, both groups performed a follow‐up GXT. Non‐fasting blood samples were collected before and immediately after each GXT. Mixed factorial (2 groups x 4 measures, and 2 groups x 2 measures) ANOVA was used to assess BDNF concentrations, performance and anthropometric variables. Results: Serum BDNF concentrations in the HIIT group (21.9 ± 1.3 ng/mL) increased compared to control (19.2 ± 2.8 ng/mL) (∼12%, P < 0.05) following HIIT. In contrast, circulating BDNF concentrations were reduced following the GXT (P < 0.05). The MAP and % Fat did not change with HIIT. Conclusions: Twelve sessions of HIIT increases circulating BDNF concentrations in healthy young women despite no change in physical performance or % fat.

Introducción: En la actualidad el consumo de bebidas azucaradas ha incrementado y se asocia con la ganancia de peso, principalmente en la población infantil. Es por esto que el objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar el efecto de un programa actividad física y educación nutricional extracurricular sobre variables antropométricas y hábitos alimentarios en niños de edad escolar. Material y métodos: El diseño del estudio fue cuasi-experimental pre/post con grupo control donde se realizó un muestreo no probabilístico por conveniencia de una cohorte de 35 niños, divididos en dos grupos, experimental (GE n=21) y control (GC n=14). Se evaluó la estatura, el peso y la circunferencia de cintura y se aplicó un cuestionario de frecuencia de consumo de bebidas. El programa de intervención tuvo una duración de 9 meses con sesiones de actividad física de 50 minutos y 10 minutos de educación nutricional con una periodicidad de 5 días a la semana. Se utilizó un análisis de varianza 2x2 para determinar la significancia estadística (p≤0.05) por efecto de la intervención en ambos grupos.Resultados: Los sujetos presentaron un aumento de la estatura (GE: 0,04m, p=0,0001; GC: 0.04m, p=0.0001), del peso corporal (GE: 2,2kg, p=0.0001; GC: 1,1kg, p=0,0001) y la circunferencia de cintura solamente incremento en el GE (2,8cm, p=0,02), sin embargo el IMC no cambio significativamente en ambos grupos. El GE disminuyó el consumo de azúcar (14,7g/día, p=0,05) y de kilocalorías (63,4kcal, p=0.05) provenientes de bebidas, mientras que en el GC no se encontraron diferencias significativas. Conclusión: Se pudo notar que el programa de actividad física y educación nutricional tuvo efecto positivo en los hábitos alimentarios de los escolares al disminuir el consumo de bebidas azucaradas, así como la ingesta de azúcar y kilocalorías proveniente de las mismas.

Teacher-endorsed supporting behaviors present themselves as key influencers of student adaptive academic and social functions. The objective of this paper was twofold. First, this study sought to test a model in which student-perceived autonomy support was associated with group cohesion, considering the mediating role of basic psychological needs satisfaction and intrinsic motivation. Second, the current study examined the dimensionality of the model across five Western countries, namely Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico. A convenience sample of 3033 college students (M_age = 21.51 ± SD = 3.71) were recruited for the analysis. The results revealed that perceived autonomy support was positively associated with needs satisfaction, being consequently associated with intrinsic motivation and, ultimately, with group cohesion. Additionally, a multigroup analysis revealed that the model was invariant across college students from the different countries. The current results are discussed around the promotion of teacher uses of autonomy-supportive behaviors fostering adaptive outcomes in students regarding positive social relations and that the cultures of Ibero-American countries are equivalent in this process.