Swimming exercise training is known to improve brain functions including spatial learning ability, memory capability, cognitive function, neurogenesis, and neurotrophic factors. But, the effects of detraining of swimming exercise on neurogenesis, lear...
Swimming exercise training is known to improve brain functions including spatial learning ability, memory capability, cognitive function, neurogenesis, and neurotrophic factors. But, the effects of detraining of swimming exercise on neurogenesis, learning ability, and spatial memory capability are still scarce. In the present study, we investigated the effect of swimming training and detraining on learning ability, spatial memory capability, neurogenesis (BrdU), neurotransmitter (5-HT, TPH), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression, and relationship with μ-opioid receptor in the mice brain. Male Crl:CD-1 (ICR) mice were randomly assigned into three groups (n = 15 in each group): the control group, swimming training group, and detraining group. The mice in swimming training group were made to swim (6 days/week, 60 min/day) for 8 weeks. Detraining group was made to swim for 4 weeks and remained sedentary for the next 4 weeks. In the present results, swimming training enhanced learning ability and memory capability, and increased hippocampal neurogenesis, BDNF expression, and expression of neurotransmitter. In contrast, detraining significant decreased learning ability and memory capability compared to the control level. Hippocampal neurogenesis and BDNF expression in the detraining showed similar or low level compared to the control group. μ-opioid receptor in the swimming training group showed significant decreased compared to the control group. But detraining showed more significant increased. There is a close connection between swimming training and μ-opioid receptor. Here in this study, we suggest that sudden cessation of swimming training might bring decline of the brain functions.