Acute cardiovascular exercise and circulating neurotrophic factors in humans: A systematic review and meta-analysis of mechanisms and methodological moderators.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review and meta-analysis of intervention trials
PubMed 42276185 · doi:10.1016/j.brainres.2026.150428
What was done
Authors conducted a systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis evaluating the acute effects of a single bout of cardiovascular exercise on circulating neurotrophic factors (BDNF, VEGF, IGF-1) in healthy adults. Seven databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, PsycINFO, ScienceDirect, SPORTDiscus) plus gray literature were searched. Study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment were performed by two reviewers. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed for studies with extractable pre- and post-exercise BDNF data.
What was found
Twenty-two studies (N = 628) were included. Acute exercise produced a statistically significant moderate increase in circulating BDNF (pooled Hedges' g = 0.48, 95% CI [0.29, 0.68], p < 0.001), with larger effects following moderate-to-vigorous exercise, immediate post-exercise blood sampling, and in younger adults. Evidence for VEGF and IGF-1 was limited, inconsistent, and too sparse to pool quantitatively.
Why it matters
This meta-analysis quantifies the transient circulating BDNF elevation induced by acute cardiovascular exercise and identifies exercise intensity, biological sample type, and sampling timing as key methodological moderators explaining past discordant findings.
Limits
Data for VEGF and IGF-1 were insufficient to perform quantitative meta-analyses. Findings are limited to acute responses in healthy adults and cannot establish long-term clinical or neuroplastic significance. Methodological heterogeneity in biological sample handling and timing was substantial.
Cited by
- supports Aerobic exercise stimulates the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), promotes neurogenesis, and increases brain plasticity.