| Can Aerobic Exercise Reverse Microwave Electromagnetic Wave–Induced Memory Impairment? |
| Paper ID : 1590-SPORTCONGRESS |
| Authors |
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Monireh Esmaeili1, Parisa Pournemati *2, , Mohammadreza Kordi3, Fatemeh Shabkhiz4 1Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran 2Assistant Professor of the Exercise Physiology department, faculty of Sport sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran, 3Professor of the Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran 4Associate Professor of the Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran |
| Abstract |
| Introduction: The rapid growth of wireless technologies has increased public exposure to microwave electromagnetic waves (EMWs) emitted by devices such as Wi-Fi routers, raising concerns about their potential neurobiological risks. EMW-induced oxidative stress in the brain may contribute to neurobehavioral disorders, including memory impairment, and could be associated with the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Aerobic exercise, as a non-pharmacological intervention, can attenuate oxidative stress and improve neuronal signaling, thereby potentially counteracting memory deficits. This study aimed to investigate the effects of 2450 MHz EMW exposure on hippocampal cholinergic markers and amyloid-beta (Aβ) levels in male Wistar rats and to evaluate whether aerobic exercise could modulate or reverse these effects. Methods: Twenty-four Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: Control, Wave Exposure, Wave Exposure + Aerobic Exercise, and Aerobic Exercise. For four weeks, the exposure groups were subjected to 2450 MHz EMWs for four hours per day, seven days per week. The combined group additionally performed treadmill running five days per week. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Morris Water Maze (MWM) test. Results: EMW exposure significantly decreased hippocampal acetylcholine and acetylcholinesterase levels while increasing Aβ concentration (P<0.05). MWM results confirmed a significant spatial memory impairment in EMW-exposed rats compared with controls. In contrast, aerobic exercise in the Wave Exposure + Exercise group led to increased acetylcholine and acetylcholinesterase levels, decreased Aβ accumulation, and significant improvement in spatial memory (P<0.05). Conclusion: Aerobic exercise exerts neuroprotective effects against EMW-induced cognitive and biochemical disturbances by restoring cholinergic function and reducing amyloid pathology. These findings highlight the potential of regular aerobic exercise as a non-drug intervention for preventing or mitigating EMW-related neurodegenerative changes. |
| Keywords |
| Electromagnetic waves; Acetylcholine; Acetylcholinesterase; Amyloid-beta; Aerobic exercise; Morris Water Maze |
| Status: Abstract Accepted (Poster Presentation) |
