Effect of Exercise on Neurotransmitters: A Systematic Review
Keywords:
Exercise, Neurotransmitters, Gamma Aminobutyric acidAbstract
Exercise has important regulatory effects on the central nervous system and positively affects cognitive functions, mental health and motivation by modulating neurotransmitter levels. This systematic review aimed to examine the effects of exercise on neurotransmitters. The compilation was conducted based on the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guide. As a result of a comprehensive literature review conducted according to the inclusion criteria determined in the research, a total of nine academic studies on the subject were evaluated. As a result of the evaluation, it was revealed that exercise directly affects brain metabolism and causes significant changes in the levels of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline and GABA. It has also been determined that exercise supports neuroplasticity by increasing neurotrophic factors. In conclusion, existing literature findings show that exercise creates multifaceted effects on brain chemistry and has serious effects on neurotransmitters. Accordingly, a more in-depth investigation of the neurobiological foundations of exercise is of great importance in understanding how exercise-based interventions affect neurological disorders. In the light of this information, the effects of different types of exercise (endurance, resistance, high-intensity interval training, etc.) on neurotransmitter levels can be discussed comparatively.
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