The effect of 8 weeks continuous and sprint-interval aerobic training on serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)levels, quality of life, depression severity, and some psycho-cognitive indices in depressed men

Effect of 8 weeks of continuous and sprint-interval aerobic training on: 1. Serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor 2. Quality of life 3. Depression severity 4. Cognitive flexibility 5. Self-confidence 6. Anxiety 7. Quality of sleep 8. Physical self-esteem In depressed men

A randomized clinical trial with a control group, parallel groups design on 42 patients, using www.randomization.com for simple randomization

This study is conducted at the Faculty of Sport Sciences of Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran. After the familiarization session, the study variables are measured and then, experimental groups perform the training program 3 times a week for 8 weeks. After the termination of the intervention, the study variables are measured under similar conditions.

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Not participation in regular exercise training over the last 6 months 2. Having moderate depression confirmed by a specialist 3. Getting the certification of no prohibition of participating in the exercise training program from a specialist Exclusion Criteria: 1. Any other psychiatric disorder other than depression 2. Alcohol or substance addiction 3. Inability to perform exercise interventions 4. Cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases 5. Obesity (body mass index more than 30) 6. Refusal to give informed consent

1. Continous aerobic group: this group performs continuous aerobic training 3 times a week for 8 weeks 2. Sprint-interval aerobic group: this group performs sprint-interval aerobic training 3 times a week for 8 weeks 3. Control group: this group follows its normal life during the project

Change in BDNF levels, Change in quality of life, Change in depression, Change in self-confidence, Change in anxiety, Change in quality of sleep, Change in physical self-concept,

In this study, permuted block randomization via the www.randomization.com website will be used. To do so, first, a unique number will be allocated to each subject as the identifier code and, a 42-digit sequence (equal to sample size) will be created. Then, treatment labels including sprint-interval training group, continuous aerobic group, and control group will be entered in the relevant section on the website. After defining the treatment groups and to avoid potential problems associated with equal block sizes, permuted block randomization with differents block sizes will be applied. In this case, by knowing the sample size, the block sizes will be unequal and a multiple of the number of treatment groups (for example, block sizes of 3, 6, or 9). The website has the ability to randomly specify the sequence of blocks with different sizes. In the final step and upon performing the 'Generate Plan' on the website, all subjects will be randomly assigned to blocks of different sizes that already have a random sequence. Finally, the group (treatment) of each subject will be specified by the use of the identifier code and checking out the blocks.

All data are shared after the de-identification of the participants

3 months after publication

All individuals upon formal request

Data sharing requests are accepted for any purposes

To obtain any data/document, please send an e-mail to Ehsan Amiri, a faculty member at Razi University, through the following e-mail address: e.amiri@razi.ac.ir

Upon formal request, mentioning due reasons, and providing full personality details, data will be sent after 72 h via e-mail