This study aims to investigate how the exercise intensity and the Phytoncide in the air affect Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), Insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) of the neurotrophic factors of the middle-aged woman according to the inclination of ground and forest.
Participants in the study were divided into 3 types of exercise program. Ⅰ Type group( ground, low level of Phytoncide); 60% HRR, Ⅱ Type group(low forest slope, high level of Phytoncide); 60% HRR, Ⅲ Type group(middle forest slope, general level of Phytoncide); 80% HRR were ordered to exercise for 110 minutes 3 times a week for 12 weeks.
The blood samples of all the study participants were taken after having a grand rest both before and after 12-weeks exercise program and then the changes of neurotrophic factors were analyzed.
After finding the mean and standard deviation, independent T-test and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used to analyze the data and Scheffe as a post analysis was also conducted.
The bottom line is as follows. First, BDNF in Ⅲ type group increased significantly comparing with both Ⅰ type and Ⅱ type group. However there were no significant difference between Ⅰ type and Ⅱ type group.
Second, IGF-1 in Ⅱ type group increased significantly comparing with Ⅰ type and Ⅲ type group. However there were no significant difference between Ⅰ type and Ⅲ type group.
Third, VEGF in Ⅱ type group increased significantly comparing with Ⅰ type and Ⅲ type group. Ⅰ type and Ⅲ type group decreased but there were no significant difference between Ⅰ type and Ⅲ type group.
The Results described that the exercise program in middle slope under 80% HRR is effective on BDNF through the exercise program for 12 weeks according to the terrain and the exercise program in low slope with high level of Phytoncide under HRR 60% were effective on both IGF-1 and VEGF which are important growth factors in angiogenesis. Therefore, it is determined that neurotrophic factor is influenced by the exercise according to the forest gradient and phytoncide. Further more, even though there is not high forest slope walking exercise in moderate forest gradient and the environment phytoncide can improve cognitive function enhancing neurotrophic factor in blood of ordinary person.