Journal of Exercise & Organ Cross Talk
Journal of Eexercise & Organ Cross Talk

The effect of aerobic training and diaphragmatic breathing exercises on BDNF and TNF-α in healthy non-athletic men

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Reza Zandi 1
Sedigheh Hosseinpour Delavar 1
Mehdi Bagzadeh 2

1 Department of Exercise Physiology, Ker.C., Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah, Iran.

2 Department of Exercise Physiology, Eslamabad- E- Gharb branch, Islamic Azad University, Eslamabad -E-Gharb, Iran.

10.22122/jeoct.2026.597989.1223
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) supports neural plasticity and cognitive function, while tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine linked to systemic inflammation. Exercise and breathing techniques may modulate these markers, but their combined effects in healthy non-athletic individuals remain underexplored. This study investigated the effects of 12 weeks of diaphragmatic breathing exercises (DBE), alone and combined with aerobic training (AT), on plasma BDNF and TNF-α concentrations in healthy young men. Forty-five non-athletic aged 18–25 years were randomly assigned to three groups: control (CONT, n=15), DBE (n=15), and DBE + AT (n=15). The DBE protocol involved twice-daily pursed-lip and abdominal breathing sessions. Aerobic training consisted of progressive running at 70–75% HRmax. Plasma BDNF and TNF-α were measured before and after the 12-week intervention using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Post-intervention blood samples were obtained 48 h after the final training session under standardized fasting conditions. Repeated-measures analyses demonstrated significant differences in BDNF and TNF-α across the study groups (P<0.001). For BDNF, the reported between-group effect was F=57.47, P<0.001. Bonferroni-adjusted comparisons demonstrated significant differences between CONT and DBE, CONT and DBE + AT, and DBE and DBE + AT. For TNF-α, a significant overall group effect was observed (F=14.51, P<0.001), with significant differences between CONT and DBE and CONT and DBE + AT. Twelve weeks of DBE, alone and combined with aerobic training, were associated with significant between-group differences in plasma BDNF and TNF-α in healthy non-athletic young men.

What is already known on this subject?

• Circulating BDNF is influenced by physical exercise, although its response depends on exercise characteristics and methodological factors related to blood sampling and processing. 

• Diaphragmatic and slow-breathing interventions may influence autonomic and stress-related physiological responses.

• Exercise interventions can influence systemic inflammatory biomarkers, including TNF-α.

 

What this study adds?

• In healthy non-athletic young men, 12 weeks of DBE and DBE combined with aerobic training were associated with significant differences in circulating BDNF and TNF-α compared with the control group.

• The DBE + AT group showed a significantly different BDNF response from the DBE group in the reported Bonferroni comparison (P=0.005).

• No statistically significant difference in TNF-α was observed between DBE and DBE + AT.

• Because no AT-only group was included and mechanistic or cognitive outcomes were not measured, the study does not establish synergy or demonstrate a direct improvement in brain health.

Keywords

BDNF, TNF-α, Diaphragmatic breathing exercises, Aerobic training, Non-athletic
Subjects

Organ Cross-Talk Tips:

  • Exercise may modulate brain–muscle–immune crosstalk through changes in circulating BDNF and TNF-α.
  • Aerobic training combined with diaphragmatic breathing was associated with a greater increase in circulating BDNF than breathing exercises alone.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude to all individuals and institutions who contributed to the completion of this work.

Funding

No funding.

Data availability

The data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Compliance with ethical standards

Conflict of interest the authors declare that there is no conflict of interest in the present research.

Ethical approval The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Islamic Azad University of Kermanshah, Iran (IR.IAU.KSH.REC.1405.051).

Informed consent 

Written informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to participation.

Consent for publication

Not applicable. 

Author contributions 

Conceptualization: R.Z Methodology: S.HD..; Validation: M.B., Formal analysis: R.Z.; Investigation: R.Z, S.A.; Resources: R.Z.; Data curation: R.Z.; Writing - original draft: M.B.; Writing – review & editing: P.A.; Visualization: R.Z.; Supervision: M.B. Project administration: S.HD. Funding acquisition: Not applicable.

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Journal of Exercise & Organ Cross Talk

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 01 January 2027

  • Receive Date 19 August 2026
  • Revise Date 03 October 2026
  • Accept Date 23 October 2026

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