Effects of Padel Competition on Brain Health-Related Myokines
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Pradas, Francisco; Pía Cádiz, María; Nestares Pleguezuelo, María Teresa; Martínez Díaz, Inmaculada C.; Carrasco Páez, LuisEditorial
MDPI
Materia
Padel Sport competition Myokines BDNF Leukemia inhibitory factor Irisin
Date
2021Referencia bibliográfica
Pradas, F.; Cádiz, M.P.; Nestares, M.T.; Martínez-Díaz, I.C.; Carrasco, L. Effects of Padel Competition on Brain Health-Related Myokines. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 6042. https:// doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18116042
Abstract
Padel is becoming one of the most widespread racket sports that may have potential
health benefits. Considering that several myokines mediate the cross-talk between skeletal muscles
and the brain, exerting positive effects on brain health status, this study was designed to evaluate
the responses of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and
irisin (IR) to padel competition in trained players and to determine whether these responses were
sex-dependent. Twenty-four trained padel players (14 women and 10 men with a mean age of
27.8 ± 6.3 years) participated voluntarily in this study. Circulating levels of BDNF, LIF, and IR were
assessed before and after simulated padel competition (real playing time, 27.8 ± 8.49 min; relative
intensity, 75.2 ± 7.9% maximum heart rate). Except for BDNF responses observed in female players
(increasing from 1531.12 ± 269.09 to 1768.56 ± 410.75 ng/mL), no significant changes in LIF and
IR concentrations were reported after padel competition. In addition, no sex-related differences
were found. Moreover, significant associations between IR and BDNF were established at both
pre- and post-competition. Our results suggest that while competitive padel practice stimulates
BDNF response in female players, padel competition failed to boost the release of LIF and IR. Future
studies are needed to further explore the role of these exercise-induced myokines in the regulation
of brain functions and to identify the field sports that can contribute to myokine-mediated muscle–
brain crosstalk.