Could a bike ride help your brain? new study explores exercise, cell health, and depression

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * age: 18-40 years * BMI: between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m2 (SG1/2) or BMI between 25.0 and 39.9 kg/m2 (SG3/4) * ability to understand the study procedure and give consent * Written informed consent * SG1 women: any fitness level * SG2 men: VO2max \< 45 ml/kg/KG29,30 * Available to conduct CPET on menstrual cycle days 1-5 (SG1/3) * No infection with HIV or Hepatitis B/C Exclusion Criteria: * No infectious illness for at least two weeks prior to the test * No vitamin supplementation during the week prior to the performance test * SG3 and SG4: More than 1 hour moderate exercise per week * No use of hormonal contraceptives in the last 6 months before the onset of the study (SG1/3) * a clinically diagnosed menstrual disorder (e.g., polycystic ovarian syndrome or amenorrhea) (SG1/3) * having given birth within the 12 months before inclusion in the study (SG1/3) * pregnancy or breastfeeding (SG1/3) * premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) (SG1/3) * history of epileptic seizure * history of depression * history of manic or psychotic episode * existing/current eating disorders (bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa) within the past 5 years * inability to communicate adequately in speech * inability to follow instructions * regular use of medication other than thyroxine * alcohol consumption as equivalent doses of more than 12 g of pure alcohol per day on average for women and 24 g of pure alcohol per day for men * vegan diet * daily nicotine consumption * currently or history of (regular) consumption of illegal drugs within the last year * known diseases of the cardiovascular system * arterial hypertension above 160/90 mmHg at rest * known pulmonary diseases * arthritis and rheumatic diseases and conditions * hematologic diseases * bronchial asthma * surgery less than 4-6 months ago * orthopedic or other diseases (e.g. neurological) that preclude maximum load on the bicycle ergometer * anemia (\<12.0 g/dl for women and \<14.0 g/dl for men)