Introduction: Behaviors and our lifestyles affect the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF-Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) and experiences with emotional health, such as exercise and enriched environment lead to increased levels of this neurotrophin. This study aimed to identify the possible effects of two different ways of training on levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus of adult male rats with a clearer focus on the role of exercise on modifying the synaptic plasticity.

Materials & methods: In this experimental research, twenty-one Wistar rats were divided into three groups: (1) Control, (2) endurance training (ET), (3) high-intensity interval training (HIIT). ET group received 8-wk mild-intensity endurance exercise. The exercise schedule of HIIT group consisted of high intensity interval training for 8 weeks (with Active recovery). Hippocampal BDNF protein was assessed using commercial ELISA kits and the data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. Statistical differences were considered significant at p<0.05.

Findings : The results showed that the ET group had no significant effect on BDNF protein level (p=0.735). In addition, HIIT group revealed no significant increase in BDNF protein level compared with the Control (p=0.070) and ET group (p=0.131).

Discussion & Conclusion: The results of the present study, do not show significant change in BDNF levels via exercise training, it seems that perform of HIIT training can increase amount of hippocampus BDNF protein level more than endurance training.