Sex and genotype dependent effect of aerobic training on executive functions
Table There was a significant three-way interaction between experimental group, BDNF genotype, and sex [F(1,48) = 4.412, Total time taken to complete the Trail Making Test (B–A) in seconds at trial completion, adjusted for baseline Montreal Cognitive Assessment and baseline Trail Making Test (B–A) scores. A 6-month aerobic training program significantly improved performance in female brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val/Val carriers and decreased performance in male BDNF Val/Val carriers compared with a usual care plus education control program. No difference was seen in female and male Met carriersA significant three-way interaction was observed between experimental group, BDNF genotype, and sex [F(1,47) = 10.833, Total score on the Digit Symbol Substitution Test at trial completion, adjusted for baseline Montreal Cognitive Assessment and baseline Digit Symbol Substitution Test scores. A 6-month aerobic training program significantly improved performance in female brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val/Val carriers and decreased performance in female BDNF Met carriers. No difference was seen in male Val/Val or Met carriersOverall, analyses indicate that 6 months of AT increases performance on two tests of executive functions compared to CON in female BDNF Val/Val carriers (see Figs. 