Background: Cathepsin B (CTSB) and doublecortin (DCX) have positive effects on cognitive function, but the effect of aerobic exercise in the enriched and non-enriched environments on serum levels of these factors in adult females has not been investigated. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise in the enriched and non-enriched environments on serum levels of these factors in adult females.
Materials and Methods: In this study, 10 adult females (age: 19.2±3.12 yrs) voluntarily participated. Participants ran for 40 minutes at an intensity of 11-12 on the Borg scale, one session in an enriched environment and one session in a non-enriched environment, interspersed over a week, in a randomized crossover design. Before and after the exercise blood samples were taken to measure CTSB and DCX serum levels. Data were analyzed using Paired-Samples T Test and analysis of covariance.
Results:  The results showed that in the enriched environment, CTSB and DCX serum levels increased significantly (p = .001). However, in the non-enriched environment, only CTSB serum levels increased significantly (p = .002). Also, the results showed a significant difference between the two environments in CTSB (p = .002, η = .44) and DCX (p = .002, η = .45).
Conclusion: Forty minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise in an enriched environment significantly increased serum levels of CTSB and DCX in adult females compared to a non-enriched environment. Therefore, it is suggested to use an enriched environment to make aerobic exercise more effective on cognitive function.