Sport Sciences and Health Research

Sport Sciences and Health Research

Aerobic Exercise Prevents Memory Deficits Induced by Electromagnetic Radiation by Altering Cholinergic Biomarkers and Amyloid Beta Levels

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Monireh Esmaeili
Parisa Pournemati
Fatemeh Shabkhiz
Mohammadreza Kordi
Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
10.22059/sshr.2025.381752.1161
Abstract
Background: As technology advances, concerns regarding neurobehavioral disorders, particularly memory deficits caused by electromagnetic radiation (EMR) from wireless devices such as Wi-Fi routers have increased dramatically.
Aim: This study aimed to investigate the impact of aerobic exercise on cholinergic biomarkers and amyloid beta (Aβ) levels in the hippocampus of male Wistar rats exposed to 2450MHz EMR emitted by Wi-Fi routers.
Materials and Methods: Eighteen rats were randomly divided into three groups: 'control', 'wave', and 'wave+aerobic exercise'. During four weeks, the 'wave' groups were exposed to 2450MHz EMR from Wi-Fi routers for four hours daily, seven days a week the 'wave+aerobic exercise' group also participated in a running program five days a week in addition to EMR exposure. Cognitive behavioral changes resulting from the interventions were evaluated using the Morris Water Maze (MWM) test.
Results: Exposure to EMR significantly decreased acetylcholine and acetylcholinesterase levels, and increased Aβ levels in the hippocampus (P<0.05). The MWM test also revealed a significant impairment in spatial memory among the exposed rats compared to the 'control' group. However, the 'wave+aerobic exercise' group exhibited a significant increase in acetylcholine and acetylcholinesterase levels, a significant reduction in Aβ levels, and demonstrated considerably better performance in the MWM test compared to the 'wave' group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrate the beneficial effects of aerobic exercise in preventing pathophysiological alterations and cognitive impairments caused by electromagnetic radiation.
Keywords
electromagnetic radiation
acetylcholine
acetylcholinesterase
amyloid beta
aerobic exercise
Morris water maze
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Sport Sciences and Health Research
Volume 17, Issue 2
July 2025
Pages 12-29