Effects of Exercise Training on Cognitive Function and Neurotrophic Factors in Overweight Adults

Inclusion criteria

• Written informed consent.
• Interested in improving health and fitness.
• Central obesity: waist circumference ≥90cm
• Body mass index ≥ 26 kg/m(2)

Exclusion criteria

• Systemic infections.
• Weight loss or gain of >10% of body weight in the past 6 months for any reason.
• Currently taking medication that suppresses or stimulates appetite.
• Uncontrolled hypertension: systolic blood pressure 160 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure 95 mm Hg on treatment.
• Gastrointestinal disease, including self-reported chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis, any episode of alcoholic hepatitis or alcoholic pancreatitis within past year, inflammatory bowel disease requiring treatment in the past year, recent or significant abdominal surgery (e.g., gastrectomy).
• Asthma.
• Diagnosed diabetes (type 1 or 2), fasting impaired glucose tolerance (blood glucose 118 mg/dL), or use of any anti-diabetic medications.
• Currently taking antidepressant, steroid, or thyroid medication, unless dosage is stable (no change for 6 months).
• Any active use of illegal or illicit drugs.
• Current exerciser (>30 min organized exercise per week).
• Indication of unsuitability of current health for exercise protocol (PARQ).