[Home ] [Archive]   [ فارسی ]  
:: Main :: About :: Current Issue :: Archive :: Search :: Submit ::
Main Menu
Home::
Journal Information::
Articles Archive::
Guide for Authors::
For Reviewers::
Ethical Statements::
Registration::
Site Facilities::
Contact us::
::
Indexed by
     
..
Search in website

Advanced Search
..
Receive site information
Enter your Email in the following box to receive the site news and information.
..
Copyright Policies

 

AWT IMAGE

 

..
Open Access Policy

This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License which allows users to read, copy, distribute and make derivative works for non-commercial purposes from the material, as long as the author of the original work is cited properly.

..
:: Articles In Press ::
Back to the articles list Back to browse issues page
The Effect of Exercise on Brain Biochemical Mechanisms, Aggressive Behaviors, and Increased Resilience: A Review Study
Fatemeh Omidali * , Azadeh Naderi
Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Grand Ayatollah Boroujerdi University, Boroujerd, Iran , omidali.fatemeh@yahoo.com
Abstract:   (13 Views)
Introduction: Exercise, as an effective non-pharmacological intervention, has significant effects on brain function and behavior. However, understanding the biochemical mechanisms underlying these effects, particularly those related to aggression and resilience, still requires further investigation. This review aims to comprehensively examine the effects of exercise on the brain's biochemical mechanisms, modulate aggressive behaviors, and increase resilience. Materials and Methods: This review was conducted by searching PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases with the keywords exercise, brain biochemistry, aggression, and resilience. After screening the title and abstract, 60 relevant articles were selected for data extraction. Results: Exercise affects the brain through several biochemical pathways: 1) increased levels of serotonin and dopamine, which are associated with reduced aggression and improved motivation, respectively; 2)  increased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which promotes neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity; 3) modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and decreased levels of cortisol, which regulate stress responses; 4) modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and modulation of testosterone levels. These biochemical changes ultimately lead to reduced aggressive behaviors (especially reactive aggression, anger, and impulsivity) and increased psychological and biological resilience. The effects of exercise depend on factors such as the type of exercise (aerobic, resistance, combined), intensity, duration, age, gender, and social context. Conclusion: Exercise is a powerful and accessible strategy for regulating emotions, improving cognitive function, and promoting resilience. Our current knowledge has important practical implications for the design and implementation of exercise programs across schools, universities, and healthcare settings. Longitudinal studies with more robust experimental designs and advanced brain imaging and molecular biology technologies are recommended to understand the underlying mechanisms better and to personalize exercise interventions.
 
Keywords: Aggression, Serotonin, Dopamine, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Hydrocortisone
     
Type of Study: Systematic Review --- Open Access, CC-BY-NC | Subject: Neurophysiology
References
1. Collaborators GMD. Global, regional, and national burden of 12 mental disorders in 204 countries and territories, 1990-2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The Lancet Psychiatry. 2022;9(2):137-50. [DOI:10.1016/S2215-0366(21)00395-3]
2. Pachi A, Kavourgia E, Bratis D, Fytsilis K, Papageorgiou SM, Lekka D, et al., editors. Anger and aggression in relation to psychological resilience and alcohol abuse among health professionals during the first pandemic wave. Healthcare; 2023: MDPI. [DOI:10.3390/healthcare11142031]
3. Rajendram R, Gyamfi D, Patel VB, Preedy VR. Resources for Anger, Aggression and Violence. Handbook of Anger, Aggression, and Violence: Springer; 2023. p. 1-20. [DOI:10.1007/978-3-030-98711-4_152-1]
4. McEwen BS, Gray JD, Nasca C. Recognizing resilience: Learning from the effects of stress on the brain. Neurobiology of stress. 2015;1:1-11. [DOI:10.1016/j.ynstr.2014.09.001]
5. Liu X-Q, Wang X. Unlocking the power of physical activity in easing psychological distress. World Journal of Psychiatry. 2024;14(1):1. [DOI:10.5498/wjp.v14.i1.1]
6. Eskandarnejad M, Rezaei F. The Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Neural Networks of Attention and Working Memory. The Neuroscience Journal of Shefaye Khatam. 2018;6(2):31-40. [DOI:10.29252/shefa.6.2.31]
7. Feldman R. What is resilience: an affiliative neuroscience approach. World psychiatry. 2020;19(2):132-50. [DOI:10.1002/wps.20729]
8. Allen JJ, Anderson CA, Bushman BJ. The general aggression model. Current opinion in psychology. 2018;19:75-80. [DOI:10.1016/j.copsyc.2017.03.034]
9. Fritz M, Soravia S-M, Dudeck M, Malli L, Fakhoury M. Neurobiology of aggression-Review of recent findings and relationship with alcohol and trauma. Biology. 2023;12(3):469. [DOI:10.3390/biology12030469]
10. Wu J, Zhao X, Shao Y, Zang W, Jun H, Yu W. The impact of physical exercise on internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors among middle school students: correlation and regression prediction analysis. Child and adolescent psychiatry and mental health. 2025;19(1):45. [DOI:10.1186/s13034-025-00903-7]
11. Xu L. How physical activity and gender moderate the association between parental marital conflict and adolescent depression. Scientific Reports. 2026. [DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-47790-2]
12. Najafidoulatabad S, Mohebbi Z. Yoga effects on physical activity and sexual satisfaction among the Iranian women with multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled trial. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicines. 2014;11(5):78. [DOI:10.4314/ajtcam.v11i5.13]
13. Huang W, Wong TL. Exercise prescriptions for young people's emotional wellbeing: a systematic review of physical activity intensity, duration, and modality. Frontiers in Psychology. 2025;16:1552531. [DOI:10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1552531]
14. Bamalan OA, Moore MJ, Al Khalili Y. Physiology, serotonin. StatPearls [internet]: StatPearls Publishing; 2023.
15. Nussbaum D. Aggression from a Psychobiological Perspective. The Wiley Handbook of What Works in Violence Risk Management: Theory, Research, and Practice. 2020:315. [DOI:10.1002/9781119315933.ch16]
16. Hossain MN, Lee J, Choi H, Kwak Y-S, Kim J. The impact of exercise on depression: how moving makes your brain and body feel better. Physical activity and nutrition. 2024;28(2):43. [DOI:10.20463/pan.2024.0015]
17. Höglund E, Øverli Ø, Winberg S. Tryptophan metabolic pathways and brain serotonergic activity: a comparative review. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 10: 158. 2019. [DOI:10.3389/fendo.2019.00158]
18. Sun N, Cui WQ, Min XM, Zhang GM, Liu JZ, Wu HY. A new perspective on hippocampal synaptic plasticity and post‐stroke depression. European Journal of Neuroscience. 2023;58(4):2961-84. [DOI:10.1111/ejn.16093]
19. Alizadeh Pahlavani H. Possible role of exercise therapy on depression: Effector neurotransmitters as key players. Behavioural Brain Research. 2024;459:114791. [DOI:10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114791]
20. Wu Q, He Q, Zhang X, Chen S, Xue X. Systemic modulators: potential mechanism for the 5-HT system to mediate exercise amelioration in Alzheimer's disease. Aging and Disease. 2024;16(5):2770. [DOI:10.14336/AD.2024.0834]
21. Kondo M. Molecular mechanisms of exercise-induced hippocampal neurogenesis and antidepressant effects. JMA journal. 2023;6(2):114-9. [DOI:10.31662/jmaj.2023-0010]
22. Ross RE, VanDerwerker CJ, Saladin ME, Gregory CM. The role of exercise in the treatment of depression: biological underpinnings and clinical outcomes. Molecular Psychiatry. 2023;28(1):298-328. [DOI:10.1038/s41380-022-01819-w]
23. Asante DM, Vyavahare S, Shukla M, McGee-Lawrence ME, Isales CM, Fulzele S. Exercise-Driven Changes in Tryptophan Metabolism Leading to Healthy Aging. Biochimie. 202.
24. Rangel MVdS, Lopes KG, Qin X, Borges JP. Exercise-induced adaptations in the kynurenine pathway: implications for health and disease management. Frontiers in sports and active living. 2025;7:1535152. [DOI:10.3389/fspor.2025.1535152]
25. Kuckertz A, Zhao L, Kedo O, Amunts K, PalomeroGallagher N. Serotonin receptors in areas of the emotion regulation network in human and rat brains-A comparative autoradiographic study. Journal of Comparative Neurology. 2025;533(7):e70068. [DOI:10.1002/cne.70068]
26. Millstein R. Aerobic exercise. Encyclopedia of behavioral medicine: Springer; 2020. p. 61-2. [DOI:10.1007/978-3-030-39903-0_1087]
27. Zimmer P, Stritt C, Bloch W, Schmidt FP, Hübner ST, Binnebößel S, et al. The effects of different aerobic exercise intensities on serum serotonin concentrations and their association with Stroop task performance: a randomized controlled trial. European journal of applied physiology. 2016;116(10):2025-34. [DOI:10.1007/s00421-016-3456-1]
28. Takahashi M, Lim PJ, Tsubosaka M, Kim H-K, Miyashita M, Suzuki K, et al. Effects of increased daily physical activity on mental health and depression biomarkers in postmenopausal women. Journal of physical therapy science. 2019;31(4):408-13. [DOI:10.1589/jpts.31.408]
29. Shams Barkalaei K, Ramezani J, Barzegari A, Dashti Khavidaki MH. The effect of Aerobic Training on Anxiety and Serotonin levels in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of rats with Alzheimer's disease. Journal of Applied Health Studies in Sport Physiology. 2026;13(1).
30. Nishii A, Amemiya S, Kubota N, Nishijima T, Kita I. Adaptive Changes in the Sensitivity of the Dorsal Raphe and Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nuclei to Acute Exercise, and Hippocampal Neurogenesis May Contribute to the Antidepressant Effect of Regular Treadmill Running in Rats. Frontiers in behavioral neuroscience. 2017;11:235. [DOI:10.3389/fnbeh.2017.00235]
31. Comparison of Serum Serotonin Levels and Some Physical Fitness Factors in Active Elderly Individuals. 2017;35(9):473-87.
32. Nazem F, Piri K, Hydrianpour A, Karimi AH. Effects of Aerobic Training and Noise Stress on serotonin plasma level the of Wistar Rats. Journal of Arak University of Medical Sciences. 2015, 17(10): 83-90.
33. Hamedinia M, Sharifi M, Hosseini-Kakhak A. The effect of eight weeks of aerobic, anaerobic and resistance training on some factor of endocannabinoid system, serotonin, beta-endorphin and BDNF in young men. Biosciences Biotechnology Research Asia. 2017;14(3):1201. [DOI:10.13005/bbra/2562]
34. Pietta-Dias C, Bello MD, da Silva R, Vargas C, Machado GDB, Roncada C, et al. Differential impact of endurance, strength, or combined training on quality of life and plasma serotonin in healthy older women. Aging clinical and experimental research. 2019;31(11):1573-81. [DOI:10.1007/s40520-019-01120-x]
35. Skaper SD. Neurotrophic Factors: An Overview. In: Skaper SD, editor. Neurotrophic Factors: Methods and Protocols. New York, NY: Springer New York; 2018. p. 1-17. [DOI:10.1007/978-1-4939-7571-6_1]
36. Correia A, Cardoso A, Vale N. BDNF unveiled: exploring its role in major depression disorder serotonergic imbalance and associated stress conditions. Pharmaceutics 15 (8): 2081. 2023. [DOI:10.3390/pharmaceutics15082081]
37. Sadoughi D, Khayatzadeh J. Effect of Curcumin on Hippocampal Levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Serum Levels of Inflammatory Cytokines in Rat Model for Alzheimer's Disease. The Neuroscience Journal of Shefaye Khatam. 2018;6(1):1-9. [DOI:10.29252/shefa.6.1.1]
38. Rafiei S, Bazyar Y, Edalatmanesh MA. Effect of Gallic Acid and Endurance Exercise Training on BDNF in a Model of Hippocampal Degeneration. The Neuroscience Journal of Shefaye Khatam. 2016;4(1):1-6. [DOI:10.18869/acadpub.shefa.4.1.1]
39. De Sousa RAL. Exercise-produced irisin effects on brain-related pathological conditions. Metabolic Brain Disease. 2024;39(8):1679-87. [DOI:10.1007/s11011-024-01412-w]
40. Huang T, Larsen KT, Ried-Larsen M, Møller NC, Andersen LB. The effects of physical activity and exercise on brain-derived neurotrophic factor in healthy humans: A review. Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports. 2014;24(1):1-10. [DOI:10.1111/sms.12069]
41. Bazyar Y, Rafiei S, Hosseini A, Edalatmanesh MA. Effect of Endurance Exercise Training and Gallic Acid on Tumor Necrosis Factor-α in an Animal Model of Alzheimer's Disease. The Neuroscience Journal of Shefaye Khatam. 2015;3(3):21-6. [DOI:10.18869/acadpub.shefa.3.3.21]
42. Rodríguez-Gutiérrez E, Torres-Costoso A, Saz-Lara A, Bizzozero-Peroni B, Guzmán-Pavón MJ, Sánchez-López M, et al. Effectiveness of high-intensity interval training on peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor in adults: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports. 2024;34(1):e14496. [DOI:10.1111/sms.14496]
43. Saucedo Marquez CM, Vanaudenaerde B, Troosters T, Wenderoth N. High-intensity interval training evokes larger serum BDNF levels compared with intense continuous exercise. Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md : 1985). 2015;119(12):1363-73. [DOI:10.1152/japplphysiol.00126.2015]
44. Dinoff A, Herrmann N, Swardfager W, Lanctôt KL. The effect of acute exercise on blood concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in healthy adults: a meta-analysis. The European journal of neuroscience. 2017;46(1):1635-1646. [DOI:10.1111/ejn.13603]
45. Ceylan Hİ, Silva AF, Ramirez-Campillo R, Murawska-Ciałowicz E. Exploring the Effect of Acute and Regular Physical Exercise on Circulating Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels in Individuals with Obesity: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Biology. 2024;13(5):323. [DOI:10.3390/biology13050323]
46. Li Z, Cui Z, Wang T, Zheng H, Li K, Yang C. Effect of exercise on brain-derived neurotrophic factors in middle-aged and older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in physiology. 2025;16:1599980. [DOI:10.3389/fphys.2025.1599980]
47. Rodriguez-Gutierrez E, Torres-Costoso A, Pascual-Morena C, Pozuelo-Carrascosa DP, Garrido-Miguel M, Martinez-Vizcaino V. Effects of resistance exercise on neuroprotective factors in middle and late life: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Aging and disease. 2023;14(4):1264. [DOI:10.14336/AD.2022.1207]
48. Izawa S, Nishii K, Aizu N, Kito T, Iwata D, Chihara T, et al. Effects of Aerobic Exercise and Resistance Training on Cognitive Function: Comparative Study Based on FNDC5/Irisin/BDNF Pathway. Dementia and geriatric cognitive disorders. 2024;53(6):329-37. [DOI:10.1159/000541093]
49. Berbert-Gomes C, Ramos JS, Silveira-Rodrigues JG, Leite DMM, Melo BP, Soares DD. An acute bout of resistance exercise increases BDNF in hippocampus and restores the long-term memory of insulin-resistant rats. Experimental brain research. 2024;242(4):901-12. [DOI:10.1007/s00221-024-06795-x]
50. Leung WKC, Yau S-y, Yang Y, Kwok AWL, Wong EML, Cheung JKM, et al. Effects of exercise interventions on brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in overweight and obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness. 2024;22(4):278-87. [DOI:10.1016/j.jesf.2024.04.001]
51. Paterno A, Polsinelli G, Federico B. Changes of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels after different exercise protocols: A systematic review of clinical studies in Parkinson's disease. Frontiers in physiology. 2024;15:1352305. [DOI:10.3389/fphys.2024.1352305]
52. Liu Y, Fu X, Zhao X, Cui R, Yang W. The role of exercise-related FNDC5/irisin in depression. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2024;15:1461995. [DOI:10.3389/fphar.2024.1461995]
53. Thomas ACQ, Stead CA, Burniston JG, Phillips SM. Exercise-specific adaptations in human skeletal muscle: Molecular mechanisms of making muscles fit and mighty. Free Radical Biology and Medicine. 2024;223:341-56. [DOI:10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2024.08.010]
54. Foley PB. Dopamine in psychiatry: a historical perspective. Journal of Neural Transmission. 2019;126(4):473-9. [DOI:10.1007/s00702-019-01987-0]
55. Erdoğan R, Yildirak A, Yilmaz E. Effect of Exercise on Neurotransmitters: A Systematic Review. 2025;4:29-38.
56. Arazi H, Dadvand SS, Fard M. Neurotransmitters and Cardiovascular Responses to Aerobic and Resistance Exercise in Men Addicted to Methamphetamine. Baltic Journal of Sport and Health Sciences. 2017;3:2-10. [DOI:10.33607/bjshs.v3i106.28]
57. Bell SL, Audrey S, Gunnell D, Cooper A, Campbell R. The relationship between physical activity, mental wellbeing and symptoms of mental health disorder in adolescents: a cohort study. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. 2019;16(1):138. [DOI:10.1186/s12966-019-0901-7]
58. Gorrell S, Shott ME, Frank GKW. Associations between aerobic exercise and dopamine-related reward-processing: Informing a model of human exercise engagement. Biological Psychology. 2022;171:108350. [DOI:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2022.108350]
59. Knab AM, Lightfoot JT. Does the difference between physically active and couch potato lie in the dopamine system? International journal of biological sciences. 2010;6:133(7). [DOI:10.7150/ijbs.6.133]
60. Beeler JA, Burghardt NS. Commentary on vulnerability and resilience to activity-based anorexia and the role of dopamine. Journal of experimental neurology. 2021;2(1):21. [DOI:10.33696/Neurol.2.031]
61. Cunningham HE, Pearman III S, Brewerton TD. Conceptualizing primary and secondary pathological exercise using available measures of excessive exercise. International Journal of Eating Disorders. 2016;49(8):778-92. [DOI:10.1002/eat.22551]
62. Tsai C-L, Pan C-Y, Wang T-C, Tseng Y-T, Ukropec J, Ukropcová B, et al. Effects of acute aerobic exercise with different intensities on cerebral dopamine/norepinephine/serotonin metabolites and executive-related oculomotor control in individuals with Parkinson's disease. Mental Health and Physical Activity. 2024;26:100582. [DOI:10.1016/j.mhpa.2024.100582]
63. Wang X, Wang Y, Chen J, Li J, Liu Y, Chen W. Aerobic exercise improves motor function and striatal MSNs-Erk/MAPK signaling in mice with 6-OHDA-induced Parkinson's disease. Experimental brain research. 2022;240(6):1713-25. [DOI:10.1007/s00221-022-06360-4]
64. Marques A, Marconcin P, Werneck AO, Ferrari G, Gouveia É R, Kliegel M, et al. Bidirectional Association between Physical Activity and Dopamine Across Adulthood-A Systematic Review. Brain sciences. 2021;11(7). [DOI:10.3390/brainsci11070829]
65. Li Y, Chen X, Wang T, Zou W, Tang Y, Li Z. Exercise as a Promising Adjunct Treatment for Methamphetamine Addiction: Advances in Understanding Neuroplasticity and Clinical Applications. Brain sciences. 2025;15(12):1339. [DOI:10.3390/brainsci15121339]
66. Tyler J, Podaras M, Richardson B, Roeder N, Hammond N, Hamilton J, et al. High intensity interval training exercise increases dopamine D2 levels and modulates brain dopamine signaling. Frontiers in public health. 2023;11:1257629. [DOI:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1257629]
67. Naser A, Dehkordi K, Radhi M, Taghian F, Chitsaz A. Impact of a 12-week combined strength, aerobic, and balance training program on dopamine and serotonin levels in patients with Parkinson's disease: a randomized clinical trial. Journal of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences. 2025;27:80-5. [DOI:10.34172/jsums.1037]
68. Herman JP, McKlveen JM, Ghosal S, Kopp B, Wulsin A, Makinson R, et al. Regulation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenocortical Stress Response. Comprehensive Physiology. 2016;6(2):603-21. [DOI:10.1002/j.2040-4603.2016.tb00694.x]
69. Lei AA, Phang VWX, Lee YZ, Kow ASF, Tham CL, Ho YC, et al. Chronic Stress-Associated Depressive Disorders: The Impact of HPA Axis Dysregulation and Neuroinflammation on the Hippocampus-A Mini Review. International journal of molecular sciences. 2025;26(7). [DOI:10.3390/ijms26072940]
70. Mbiydzenyuy NE, Qulu LA. Stress, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, and aggression. Metab Brain Dis. 2024;39(8):1613-36. [DOI:10.1007/s11011-024-01393-w]
71. Li X, Huang J, Zhu F. The Optimal Exercise Modality and Dose for Cortisol Reduction in Psychological Distress: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. Sports (Basel, Switzerland). 2025;13(12). [DOI:10.3390/sports13120415]
72. Fazio E, Medica P, Cravana C, Ferlazzo A. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis responses of horses to therapeutic riding program: effects of different riders. Physiology & behavior. 2013;118:138-43. [DOI:10.1016/j.physbeh.2013.05.009]
73. Bermejo JL, Valldecabres R, Villarrasa-Sapiña I, Monfort-Torres G, Marco-Ahulló A, Ribeiro Do Couto B. Increased cortisol levels caused by acute resistance physical exercise impair memory and learning ability. PeerJ. 2022;10:e13000. [DOI:10.7717/peerj.13000]
74. Adelowo OE, Akindele BM, Adegbola CA, Oyedokun PA, Akhigbe TM, Akhigbe RE. Unraveling the complexity of the impact of physical exercise on male reproductive functions: a review of both sides of a coin. Frontiers in physiology. 2024;Volume 15 - 2024. [DOI:10.3389/fphys.2024.1492771]
75. Abedpoor N, Taghian F, Hajibabaie F. Exploring the dynamics of exercise intensity on male fertility and reproductive health: advancements and implications for fertility research. Frontiers in Reproductive Health. 2024;Volume 6 - 2024. [DOI:10.3389/frph.2024.1423916]
76. Mennitti C, Farina G, Imperatore A, De Fonzo G, Gentile A, La Civita E, et al. How Does Physical Activity Modulate Hormone Responses? Biomolecules. 2024;14(11). [DOI:10.3390/biom14111418]
77. Tang KY, Fang ZP, Xiao M. The Various Mechanisms by Which Exercise-Induced Fatigue (EIF) Affects Spermatogenesis Through Testosterone. Reproductive sciences (Thousand Oaks, Calif). 2025;32(4):965-76. [DOI:10.1007/s43032-025-01804-y]


XML   Persian Abstract   Print



Rights and permissions
Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Back to the articles list Back to browse issues page
مجله علوم اعصاب شفای خاتم The Neuroscience Journal of Shefaye Khatam
Persian site map - English site map - Created in 0.1 seconds with 47 queries by YEKTAWEB 4774