Different responses of serum levels of some neurotrophins and neurotransmitters to open- and closed-skill exercises in judoka females

Neurotrophins and neurotransmitters play an important role in improving cognitive function. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of a judo training session and a weight training session on serum levels of glutamate, noradrenaline, IGF-1 and VEGF in judoka females. In this quasi-experimental study, 11 judoka females (age: 25.60±3.57 years, weight: 66.20±9.60 kg, height: 165.40 ± 4.50 cm) voluntarily participated. Subjects participated in two sessions of judo and weight training for one hour 10 days apart. Blood samples were taken from the subjects five minutes before and after each training session. serum levels of glutamate, noradrenaline, IGF-1 and VEGF were measured. The results showed that serum concentrations of all variables increased significantly after both training sessions (p<0.05). Also, the results of covariance test showed that serum levels of glutamate (p=0.013) and IGF-1 (p=0.014) after weight training session increased significantly more than judo training session. However, changes in serum levels of noradrenaline (p=0.117) and VEGF (p=0.192) were the same after both training sessions. It seems that open- and closed-skill exercises have different effects on serum levels of some neurotrophins and neurotransmitters. Therefore, the mechanism of the effect of judo training and weight training on cognitive function is different.