Objectives: This study investigated the effect of acute resistance exercise on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in the elderly.

Methods & Materials: 22 healthy older men participated in this study (mean age of 60-75 years old). 72 hours after the determination of muscular maximal strength (by 1-RM test), subjects participated in acute resistance exercises via 75% 1-RM. Three blood samples were collected at before, immediately and 4hours after the exercise from Antecubital vein. Serum BDNF, IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 measured by ELISA methods. Also, for statistical analyses Pearson correlation test and Repeated Measures (1×3) were used. Significant level was set at P≤0.05.

Results: The results showed that, occurs significantly increased in serum BDNF levels, immediately after a session of resistance exercise. But 30 minutes after completion of the protocol, there were no significant changes compared to the serums before the activity (P≤0.05). There was also a significant increase in the amount of IGF-1, after a session of resistance exercise. But 30 minutes after completion of the protocol, there was no significant change compared to the serums before the activity (P≤0.05). In the end, there was no significant change in the levels of IGFBP-3 in immediately and 30 minutes after resistance exercise protocol, compared to the serums before the activity.

Conclusion: Summery, the results of this study showed that, in response to resistance exercise, the amount of BDNF and IGF-1 significantly increased, at immediately after the exercise, but there was no significant changes in the levels of IGFBP-3. According to the results of this study, it seems, resistance exercise causes positive changes in the amount of neurotrophic factors which involved in learning and memory. Subsequently, it may causes reduction in the prevalence of neurological disorders associated with learning and memory impairments such as Alzheimer's, depression and dementia in elderly.