Fitness
High-intensity exercise provides short boost to brain protein in PTSD sufferers
A new study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research has found that a single session of high intensity interval training can temporarily increase levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a brain protein important for memory and learning, in individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the research also found that neither high intensity nor low intensity exercise led to sustained increases in BDNF over a period of nearly two weeks. These findings suggest that while intense exercise might offer a short-term biological boost, more research is needed to understand how exercise can best be used to support long-term brain health in people with PTSD.
PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after a person experiences or witnesses a terrifying event. These events can include serious accidents, physical or sexual assault, war, natural disasters, or other life-threatening situations. People with PTSD can experience a range of distressing symptoms that significantly interfere with their daily lives. These symptoms can include re-experiencing the trauma through nightmares or flashbacks, avoiding reminders of the trauma, negative changes in mood and thinking, and feeling constantly on edge or hyperaroused. While effective treatments like therapy exist, many individuals with PTSD continue to struggle with their symptoms, highlighting the need for additional and complementary approaches to care.
Researchers are increasingly interested in biological factors that might contribute to PTSD and its treatment. One such factor is BDNF, a protein that acts like fertilizer for the brain, helping to support the survival, growth, and connection of brain cells. It plays a key role in brain plasticity, which is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life.
Studies have shown that individuals with PTSD often have lower levels of BDNF in their bloodstream compared to people without the condition. This reduced level of BDNF may play a role in some of the difficulties faced by individuals with PTSD, such as problems with processing and overcoming traumatic memories. For example, BDNF is thought to be involved in the brain’s ability to ‘extinguish’ fear memories – to learn that a previously feared situation is now safe. If BDNF levels are low, this process might be impaired, potentially contributing to the persistent fear and anxiety seen in PTSD.
Because of BDNF’s importance in brain health and its potential link to PTSD, researchers are eager to explore ways to increase BDNF levels in individuals with this condition, hoping to find new avenues for improving treatment and recovery. Given that physical exercise has been shown to boost BDNF in other populations, the researchers sought to determine whether exercise could be a way to raise BDNF levels and potentially alleviate PTSD symptoms.
To conduct their research, the team recruited 40 adults who had been diagnosed with PTSD. Participants were carefully screened to ensure they met specific criteria, including having a confirmed diagnosis of PTSD according to established guidelines. Individuals with certain other serious mental health conditions like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, those with current substance abuse issues, or those at immediate risk of suicide were excluded from the study. People who were already engaging in a significant amount of regular exercise were also not included, to ensure that the exercise interventions in the study would be the primary factor influencing any changes. Importantly, individuals who were taking psychiatric medications or undergoing psychotherapy were allowed to participate, as long as their medication doses and therapy type had been stable for at least two months prior to the study.
Once enrolled, participants underwent a thorough physical examination, including a fitness test to determine their individual exercise capacity and maximum heart rate. This personalized assessment was important to tailor the exercise programs to each person’s fitness level and to ensure safety. Participants were then randomly assigned to one of two exercise groups: high intensity interval training or low intensity training. The exercise period lasted for 12 days, with participants engaging in exercise sessions every other day, for a total of six sessions. Each session was 30 minutes long and consisted of a warm-up, 20 minutes of the assigned exercise type, and a cool-down period.
The high intensity interval training involved cycling on an exercise bike. During the high intensity intervals, participants were encouraged to cycle at a pace that elevated their heart rate to above 77% of their maximum heart rate. This high intensity period was followed by a recovery interval where they cycled at a lower intensity allowing their heart rate to drop below 77% of their maximum. Each high intensity interval training session included ten cycles of high intensity and recovery. The low intensity training was designed to be less strenuous. It consisted of a series of gentle movements and stability exercises inspired by yoga, but without the focus on breathing or mindfulness that is often part of yoga practice. The goal was to keep participants’ heart rates below 70% of their maximum during these sessions. Throughout all exercise sessions, participants wore heart rate monitors to ensure they were exercising at the correct intensity.
To measure BDNF levels, the researchers collected blood samples from participants on the first and last days of the exercise period. On each of these days, blood was drawn both before and immediately after the exercise session. These blood samples were carefully processed to measure the amount of BDNF in the serum, which is the liquid part of the blood. Because BDNF is also found in platelets, blood cells that help with clotting, the researchers also measured platelet counts in the participants’ blood and took these counts into account when analyzing the BDNF data, to get a more precise measure of BDNF levels. In addition to these biological measures, participants also completed a questionnaire each day to track their PTSD symptoms.
The study’s findings revealed that high intensity interval training did indeed lead to a short-term increase in BDNF levels. Immediately after a high intensity interval training session, participants in this group showed a significant rise in BDNF in their blood, both on the first and last days of the exercise period. This increase was observed even after accounting for platelet counts. In contrast, the low intensity training group did not experience a similar increase in BDNF levels after their exercise sessions.
However, the researchers also found that neither type of exercise, high intensity or low intensity, resulted in a sustained increase in BDNF levels over the 12-day exercise period. When comparing BDNF levels from the beginning to the end of the study, there was no significant change in either exercise group.
Finally, while the study explored whether the short-term increase in BDNF was related to improvements in PTSD symptoms, no strong link was found. There was a slight suggestion that individuals who experienced a larger increase in BDNF after exercise might also report slightly greater day-to-day improvements in their symptoms, but this trend was not statistically strong.
The researchers concluded that high intensity interval training “might be a beneficial form of exercise for individuals with PTSD regarding serum BDNF levels,” but “further studies are needed to investigate whether transient and long-term BDNF increase contributes to a reduction of PTSD symptoms.”
In particular, future research could build upon these findings by examining larger groups of individuals with PTSD and specifically considering potential gender differences in the response to exercise. Longer-term studies are also needed to investigate whether regular high intensity interval training, or other forms of exercise, can lead to sustained increases in BDNF and, importantly, whether these increases translate into meaningful reductions in PTSD symptoms over time. Understanding how exercise affects BDNF in individuals with PTSD could pave the way for developing more effective and personalized exercise interventions to support their recovery and well-being.
The study, “Effects of high intensity interval training on serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor in individuals with PTSD,” was authored by Annabell Jäger, Anima Pieper, Kathlen Priebe, Rainer Hellweg, Kristina Meyer, Sarah Herrmann, Bernd Wolfarth, Maximilian Grummt, Andreas Ströhle, and Nikola Schoofs.
Fitness
Adults hop on viral ‘rebounding’ trend to make exercise fun again — ‘I feel like a kid’
Forget boring home workouts, on-demand HITT classes and cold winter runs.
The latest wellness trend bouncing around TikTok involves a workout you might not even realize you’re doing, and that’s the point. It’s called rebounding. This low-impact exercise involves jumping on a mini fitness trampoline — called a rebounder — to get your heart pumping and support lymphatic drainage.
On Amazon, this best-selling model is currently on sale for just $129. It measures in at just 40 inches, making it ideal for small spaces while still offering room for an adult to jump, squat and jog in place. Users swear it gives them a seriously effective full-body workout, and many remark that it’s “so much fun” to use.
Clinical trials also back the benefits: a 12-week rebounding program for overweight women showed significant improvements in body composition as well as a decrease in diastolic blood pressure.
Ready to jump on the rebounding trend, too? You’d better hop on this Amazon deal fast.
This sleek rebounder by BCAN is sturdy and easy to set up, thanks to pre-assembled bungees and simpel video tutorial.
Reviewers say it’s completely changed their workouts, with one remarking they “feel like a little kid again.” Others have also noted it’s much easier on their joints than higher-impact exercises.
“It absorbs impact well and allows for a nice, smooth rebound that is gentle on the joints, making it perfect for a low-impact cardio workout,” one person explained. “Whether I’m doing high-intensity intervals or simply bouncing for fun, the movement feels fluid and responsive.
The BCAN model features an upgraded handlebar for added stability. It’s 8mm premium bungee — with a durable woven outer layer and a 350-strand natural latex core — delivers smooth, quiet bounces, so you can enjoy your workout without disturbing others.
This article was written by Miska Salemann, New York Post Commerce Writer/Reporter. As a health-forward member of Gen Z, Miska seeks out experts to weigh in on the benefits, safety and designs of both trending and tried-and-true fitness equipment, workout clothing, dietary supplements and more. Taking matters into her own hands, Miska intrepidly tests wellness products, ranging from Bryan Johnson’s Blueprint Longevity Mix to the viral Oura Ring to Jennifer Aniston’s favorite workout platform – often with her adorable toddler by her side. Before joining The Post, Miska covered lifestyle and consumer topics for the U.S. Sun and The Cannon Beach Gazette.
Fitness
Fitness trainer with 18 years of experience shares why exercise is crucial for kids: ‘Not just about health and fitness’
Exercise is often spoken about in the context of physical fitness – stronger muscles, better stamina and improved overall health. But its value, especially for children, extends far beyond the body. Regular physical activity can quietly shape character, teaching lessons about effort, patience, discipline and resilience that mirror how the real world works. From learning to cope with discomfort to understanding that progress takes time, exercise can become a powerful training ground for life itself.
Also Read | Chennai fitness trainer with 18 years of experience shares 5 simple things to focus on for long-term fitness
Chennai-based fitness trainer with 18 years of experience, Raj Ganpath – founder of the Slow Burn Method, co-founder and head coach at Quad Fitness, and author of Simple, Not Easy – is shedding light on why exercise is important for kids, with the benefits going beyond health and fitness. In an Instagram video shared on February 27, he explains how the impact of exercise extends far beyond physical wellness, shaping resilience, discipline and long-term character development.
Embracing discomfort
According to Raj, exercise is one of the healthiest ways to help children learn how to sit with discomfort in a safe, structured and sustainable way. Life inevitably brings challenges and unease – something adults understand well – but many children today are shielded from situations that test their resilience.
He explains, “Exercise is a great way to experience this discomfort in a safe and sustainable manner. Lifting weights, holding a plank, doing cardio, repping till it burns, all of these things are opportunities to embrace discomfort, opportunities to put themselves in a place where they’re not comfortable and learn from it, opportunities to practice physical and mental resilience.”
Learning hardship
The fitness trainer emphasises that hardship is an inevitable part of life, and meaningful success often requires pushing through moments of difficulty. While most adults recognise this truth through lived experience, children may not always have the same exposure to challenge. Raj believes exercise can bridge that gap.
He elaborates, “It will teach them that they need to do hard things if they want to accomplish something. Getting through a very hard workout, setting a goal and achieving it, completing a task. All of these things are not just random chores. These are incredible opportunities – opportunities to experience hardship and build fortitude.”
Delayed gratification
In today’s fast-paced world, the desire for instant gratification is stronger than ever – and children are growing up at the centre of it. With technology, streaming platforms and 10-minute delivery services, almost everything is available at the tap of a screen. As a result, the ability to wait, persist and work steadily towards a long-term goal can easily take a back seat. Exercise, notes Raj, offers a powerful counterbalance.
He explains, “Everyone wants everything right away today. This is true for us adults too, but it is even more true for our kids because this is the only world they know. A world where everything happens right then and right there, whenever they want it, wherever they want it. Exercise will teach them to wait, to be patient, to trust the process, to fail and still keep going, to work towards something larger that they will get much later. This is a very important character building quality and will serve them well for many, many years to come.”
The fitness trainer concludes, “Exercise is not just about health and fitness. It is a simulation of life itself. A ready-made character building tool available to you to help prepare your kids for life, the raw and real life that they’re going to have to deal with no matter what. So make sure they build the habit and make sure they embrace it.”
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. It is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.
Fitness
What Are “Movement Snacks”? How To Try This Trending Fitness Hack
The World Health Organization says the average adult is supposed to get 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity five days a week, which sounds somewhat doable until it’s 9 p.m., your kids are finally in bed, and you just want to fall onto the couch and dissociate. But more and more people online are talking about “movement snacks” — little bite-sized amounts of exercise you can do throughout your day to meet your 60-minute goal without having to make special time for one big workout. Because yes, we all want to be our healthiest, but sometimes a HIIT class at the gym is just not in the schedule.
We asked personal trainers and fitness coaches for their favorite movement snacks you can do in the office, around the house, and on busy weekends when everyone’s home.
How much exercise is a person really supposed to get?
While the WHO recommends 60 minutes a day, the CDC is a little more lax, recommending at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week, or about 30 minutes a day, five days a week. While it may feel like you’re the only one struggling to fit a workout into your daily routine, you’re far from alone. In fact, it’s always been hard for most Americans. So, while movement snacks may be a cute new term we’re all hearing for the first time, fitness pros have been promoting bite-sized exercise forever.
“I work with busy professionals, so I’ve been integrating micro workouts of two to 10 minutes into my clients’ lifestyles for almost 20 years,” says Andrea Marcellus, certified personal trainer and CEO of AND/life.
The most important thing for your health isn’t getting all your daily movement done in one big, perfectly curated workout — it’s about being consistent, Marcellus says. Movement snacks can help you stay consistent because you don’t have to budget a big chunk of time; instead, you can fit something simple into your day when you have three minutes to spare. Hell, you don’t even have to change clothes or go anywhere.
“Most people think movement only counts if it’s a workout. That mindset is what keeps people sedentary. In reality, your body doesn’t care if steps come from a hike, a gym session, or pacing when you’re on a call,” says Lindy Royer, physical therapist and balanced body educator. “This is where you win the game — by stacking movement into things you’re already doing.”
Movement Snacks To Try Throughout Your Day
- Set an alarm on your phone to chime every hour — that’s what women’s fitness coach Allison Kalsched tells her clients. When it goes off, stand up and do 10 bodyweight squats. Then go back to work. When you get tired of squats, mix in walking lunges, push-ups (it’s fine if they’re modified!), or dead bugs. Throw on 30 seconds of jumping jacks or high knees for bone-building benefits, which is important for women in menopause, she adds.
- Take a micro walk. “Five minutes or 500 steps is my absolute favorite,” says Dr. Milica McDowell, doctor of physical therapy, author of the forthcoming book Walk, and exercise physiologist at US Physical Therapy. “It changes mood, lowers blood pressure, boosts mental clarity, and can help you get your cumulative steps in.”
- Dance to your new favorite song with your kids or all by yourself. “Dance party was big with my kids after dinner,” Marcellus says. “It takes four to 10 mins and helps kids burn off dinner energy, while also giving parents a metabolic boost.”
- Stop and do 60 reps of any full-body exercise, like squats, lunges, or jumping jacks — this usually takes about two minutes, no matter which one you choose, Marcellus says. Or, hold a plank for one to two minutes.
- Pair walking with habits that already exist to get your steps in, like marching in place while brushing your teeth or doing a lap inside the house while your food is in the microwave. “This means you’re not adding time — you are upgrading your time,” says Royer.
- Count your housework. Sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, general domestic labor — these things totally contribute to your total exercise time each day, says Royer.
- If you go up or down the stairs at home, just… do it two or three times. That little extra here and there adds up, according to Royer.
The best advice is to focus not on “how can I move right now?” but “how can I do something that isn’t sitting right now?” Royer says. “The real truth that most people ignore is that sedentary time is the real enemy, not a lack of workouts. Focus on breaking up your sitting time. Build in frequent movement snacks. You’re not looking for perfection, just something more than nothing. You don’t need more time; you actually just need more conscious efforts to move.”
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