{ "abstract": "Background: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a key mediator of neuroplasticity and has been associated with disease progression in multiple sclerosis (MS). While aerobic exercise is consistently linked to BDNF modulation, the specific contribution of isolated resistance training (RT) remains unclear, as previous reviews have largely combined multimodal exercise interventions. Objective: To systematically review and meta-analyze the effects of isolated RT on peripheral BDNF levels in individuals with MS (PROSPERO: CRD420251141069). Methods: Searches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scielo, Scopus, PEDro and Cochrane up to January 10, 2026, using PICOT criteria. Controlled experimental studies investigating isolated RT and BDNF outcomes were included. Risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2.0 and ROBINS-I, and certainty of evidence was evaluated using GRADE. Due to methodological heterogeneity, a random-effects model was applied to estimate pooled effects. Results: Four studies (three RCTs and one controlled non-randomized trial), totaling 126 participants with MS, were included. Interventions lasted 8–24 weeks, with training frequencies of 2–3 sessions per week. Meta-analytic synthesis revealed positive pooled effects (SMD = 0.49; 95%CI: 0.15 to 0.83; Z = 2.80; p < 0.005; I2 = 0%; Q = 1.681) with wide confidence intervals without crossing zero. With the Hartung–Knapp adjustment, due to the reduced number of studies, the analysis continued to show a positive intervention effect: (SMD = 0.49; 95%CI: 0.42 to 0.56; t = 3.716; p = 0.0339). Two studies using low-to-moderate intensity protocols (Pilates-based RT and low-load RT with bands/weights) showed significant increases in serum BDNF after 8 weeks. In contrast, studies employing higher loads (≈80% of one-repetition maximum: 1RM) demonstrated no significant BDNF changes despite functional gains. Overall certainty of evidence was rated as low due to risk of bias, inconsistency, and imprecision. Conclusion: Isolated RT may increase peripheral BDNF levels in individuals with MS, but this effect is supported by limited and low-certainty evidence. Furthermore, given that only four studies were included in the meta-analysis, we suggest interpreting the results with some caution.", "abstract_shown": true, "affiliations": [ "Graduate Program in Human Movement and Rehabilitation, Evangelical University of Goiás (UniEVANGÉLICA), Anápolis, Goiás, Brazil", "Faculdade de Educação Física e Dança – FEFD, Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG – Campus Samambaia), Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil", "Graduate Program in Environmental and Society of State University of Goiás (UEG), Academic institute of health and biological sciences. Southwest Campus, Quirinópolis, Goiás, Brazil", "Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Evangelical University of Goiás (UniEVANGÉLICA), Anápolis, Goiás, Brazil", "Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil", "Graduate Program in Mental Health and Psychiatry; Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ-IPUB, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil", "Escuela de Ingeniería de Construcción y Transporte, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile", "Departamento de Pediatria da Universidade Rainha Njinga a Mbande (URNM), Malanje, Angola", "Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Providencia, Chile", "Graduate Program in Physical Education at Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil" ], "article_type": "Research Article", "arxiv": null, "author_total": 14, "authors": [ { "affs": [ 0 ], "name": "William Riciere Pedon" }, { "affs": [ 1 ], "name": "Gustavo De Conti Teixeira Costa" }, { "affs": [ 0 ], "name": "Lorenzo de Ávila Rodrigues Cortizo Vidal" }, { "affs": [ 0 ], "name": "Pedro Augusto Inacio" }, { "affs": [ 2, 3 ], "name": "Marcelo Magalhães Sales", "orcid": "0000-0003-3814-6964" }, { "affs": [ 2 ], "name": "Ivanéria Mendonça Martins" }, { "affs": [ 3, 4 ], "name": "James Oluwagbamigbe Fajemiroye" }, { "affs": [ 5 ], "name": "Sergio Machado" }, { "affs": [ 6 ], "name": "Vicente Aprigliano" }, { "affs": [ 4 ], "name": "Gabriela Ribeiro Inacio" }, { "affs": [ 0, 7 ], "name": "Adolfo Mundombe Cameia", "orcid": "0009-0005-9520-3613" }, { "affs": [ 8 ], "name": "Gaspar R. Chiappa" }, { "affs": [ 9 ], "name": "Eduardo da Matta Mello Portugal" }, { "affs": [ 0, 3, 9 ], "name": "Alberto Souza Sá Filho", "orcid": "0000-0001-9434-4231" } ], "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/578q8fx2rm26a.bib", "cited_by": 0, "doi": "10.1371/journal.pone.0359019", "fulltext_url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13712535/", "id": "578q8fx2rm26a", "issns": [ "1932-6203" ], "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0359019", "language": "en", "licence": "CC-BY-4.0", "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0", "licence_source": "article", "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/", "metadata_licence": null, "native_subjects": [ [ "heading", "Autoimmune Diseases" ], [ "heading", "Biology and Life Sciences" ], [ "heading", "Clinical Immunology" ], [ "heading", "Clinical Medicine" ], [ "heading", "Clinical Trials" ], [ "heading", "Database Searching" ], [ "heading", "Database and Informatics Methods" ], [ "heading", "Demyelinating Disorders" ], [ "heading", "Drug Research and Development" ], [ "heading", "Epidemiology" ], [ "heading", "Exercise" ], [ "heading", "Immunology" ], [ "heading", "Mathematical and Statistical Techniques" ], [ "heading", "Mathematics" ], [ "heading", "Medical Conditions" ], [ "heading", "Medical Risk Factors" ], [ "heading", "Medicine and Health Sciences" ], [ "heading", "Metaanalysis" ], [ "heading", "Multiple Sclerosis" ], [ "heading", "Neurodegenerative Diseases" ], [ "heading", "Neurology" ], [ "heading", "Pharmacology" ], [ "heading", "Physical Activity" ], [ "heading", "Physical Fitness" ], [ "heading", "Physical Sciences" ], [ "heading", "Public and Occupational Health" ], [ "heading", "Publication Ethics" ], [ "heading", "Randomized Controlled Trials" ], [ "heading", "Research Article" ], [ "heading", "Research Integrity" ], [ "heading", "Research and Analysis Methods" ], [ "heading", "Science Policy" ], [ "heading", "Sports Science" ], [ "heading", "Sports and Exercise Medicine" ], [ "heading", "Statistical Methods" ], [ "heading", "Statistics" ], [ "heading", "Strength Training" ], [ "openalex", "2734|Multiple Sclerosis Research Studies" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Immunology/Clinical immunology/Autoimmune diseases/Multiple sclerosis" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Sports science/Sports and exercise medicine/Exercise" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Sports science/Sports and exercise medicine/Exercise/Strength training" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Clinical medicine/Clinical immunology/Autoimmune diseases/Multiple sclerosis" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Clinical medicine/Clinical trials/Randomized controlled trials" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Epidemiology/Medical risk factors" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Immunology/Clinical immunology/Autoimmune diseases/Multiple sclerosis" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Medical conditions/Demyelinating disorders/Multiple 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"/Research and analysis methods/Clinical trials/Randomized controlled trials" ], [ "plos", "/Research and analysis methods/Database and informatics methods/Database searching" ], [ "plos", "/Research and analysis methods/Mathematical and statistical techniques/Statistical methods/Metaanalysis" ], [ "plos", "/Science policy/Research integrity/Publication ethics" ] ], "openalex": "W7223994402", "pdf_url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0359019&type=printable", "pmcid": "PMC13712535", "pmid": "42945167", "published": "2026-10-27", "publisher": "Public Library of Science", "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/578q8fx2rm26a.ris", "sources": [ { "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:17Z", "native_id": "10.1371/journal.pone.0359019", "source": "plos", "url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0359019" }, { "first_seen": "2026-10-31T12:23:05Z", "native_id": "PMC13712535", "source": "pmc", "url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0359019" } ], "subjects": [ { "field": "biology", "origin": "plos:immunology", "subfield": "immunology" }, { "field": "medicine", "origin": "plos:clinical trials", "subfield": "clinical-trials" }, { "field": "medicine", "origin": "plos:epidemiology", "subfield": "epidemiology-public-health" }, { "field": "medicine", "origin": "heading:Neurology", "subfield": "neurology" }, { "field": "medicine", "origin": "heading:Pharmacology", "subfield": "pharmacology-toxicology" } ], "title": "Is resistance training effective to increase BDNF in multiple sclerosis? An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of isolated interventions", "title_text": "Is resistance training effective to increase BDNF in multiple sclerosis? An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of isolated interventions", "type": "peer-reviewed", "updated_at": "2026-10-31T12:23:05Z", "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/578q8fx2rm26a", "venue": "PLOS One", "versions": [] }