Are There Any Differences Between the Effect of Resistance and Aerobic Training on Spatial Learning and Memory in the Rat Model of AD?

Abstract

Background: Physical training, especially endurance training as a non-pharmacological prevention strategy, can attenuate the consequences of memory loss in Alzheimer's disease (AD) without side effects. However, the role of resistance training and the difference between these two types of training have not been well established in this field. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine and compare the effect of both trainings on spatial learning and memory in the amyloid-beta(Aβ)-induced rat model of AD using the Morris Water Maze test (MWM). Methods: Rats were randomly divided into six groups: Control; treadmill; resistance; Aβ + normal saline; Aβ + treadmill and; Aβ + Resistance (n = 6 group). Alzheimer's disease rats were induced by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion of Aβ25-35 peptides. After performing aerobic (by treadmill) and resistance training (by vertical ladder with weights attached to the animals' tails) for eight weeks, the rats underwent the MWM. Results: The results showed that the mean escape latency significantly increased and the time in the target quadrant significantly decreased in the AD rats compared to the Control group (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the mean escape latency and time in the target quadrant between the Control, Treadmill, and Resistance groups (P < 0.05). Also, both AD-training groups had significantly less escape latency and more time in the target quadrant compared to the AD group (P < 0.005) without any significant differences between them (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Finally, we conclude that both trainings could improve spatial memory and learning without any superiority over each other in the AD animals and may subsequently prevent the progression of AD.