فصلنامه طب توانبخشی
سال دهم شماره 3 (امرداد و شهریور 1400)

Mental fatigue usually occurs following prolonged cognitive activity. Mental fatigue is a psychological condition that occurs as a result of long-term cognitive activities. Mental fatigue can have significant effects on the daily life of healthy people. This study aimed to investigate the effect of eight weeks of relaxation massage on the mental fatigue control and balance, lower extremity function, and landing mechanic in physical education students.

This research is a quasi-experimental study, and the statistical population of this study was physical education students. From the statistical population, 30 male students with Mean±SD age= 19.5±5.5 years, weight= 69.6±6.8 kg, height= 187.75±4.5 cm, and sports history= 2.66±1.3 years. They were selected by purposeful and were randomly divided based on Research and Criteria into two groups: control group (n=15) and relaxation massage group (n=15). Before and after relaxation massage, mental exhaustion with 45 minutes of stroke activity (Stroop test), Dynamic Balance with Y test, Semi-dynamic balance with Lafayette Stability Platform, lower extremity function by the Lower Extremity Functional Test (LEFT) test and landing mechanic by LESS, Jump-landing skill film assessment by Auto CAD and Kinovea software were measured. Data analysis was performed in SPSS v. 22 software by using Statistical method of ANOVA test with repeated measures and paired t-test at the significant level P=0.05. 

The results showed that a significant difference was observed between the relaxation massage group and the control group on lower limb function, landing mechanics, dynamic balance, and semi-dynamic balance of physical education students (P=0.001).

Significant changes in lower limb function factors, landing mechanics, dynamic balance, and semi-dynamic balance in physical education students after relaxation massage exercises indicate the importance of this issue. Injury prevention specialists should study and research in introducing strategies to deal with the occurrence of mental fatigue.

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is considered one of the most common indexes for examining the health. The purpose of this study was the design and validation of the equations for the accuracy of BMI.

In the current 419 athletic and non-athletic subjects participated in this study. Anthropometrical measurement was performed using International Standard for Anthropometry and Kinanthropometry (ISAK) protocol, and mesomorphic and endomorphic calculated based on the Heath-Carter methods. The Spearman correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between BMI and body fat percent, mesomorphic and endomorphic values. Multiple regressions were used to predict BMI.

There is a high correlation between BMI with mesomorphic and endomorphic values (P<0.01), but the correlation of BMI with mesomorphic in athletic men was higher than endomorphic (0.77 vs. 0.63). Multiple regression produces some equations for predicting mesomorphic and endomorphic, and bland Altman believes that all equations predict fatness.

According to the results, the Equations proposed in this study could appropriately turn BMI to predict body composition so that this equation could determine higher BMI because of the higher muscular mass.

Due to the concerns among trainers about relieving muscle pain as soon as possible, this study aimed to investigate the effect of eccentric retraining on muscle pain and Delay Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) markers in sedentary young men.

In this study, sixteen inactive healthy young men voluntarily and after written informed consent. Subjects were randomly divided into control (n=8) and experimental (n=8) groups. Both groups performed seventy eccentric contractions in the flexor elbow muscles with 80% of maximal repetition. Muscular pain perception, serum levels of Creatine Kinase (CK), and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) indices were measured before, one, 26, 48 and 72 hours after eccentric training. Independent t-test and Repeated measure analysis variance in the significant level of P≤0.05 used for data analysis.

The sensation of muscle pain and creatine kinase in both groups increased significantly after exercise (P≤0.05), lactate dehydrogenase level was increased in both groups. Still, this increase was not significant (P>0.05). Also, no significant difference in the CK and LDH and pain perception in the measurement stage between the two groups was observed (P>0.05).

This study results showed that retraining isn’t an essential influential variable on muscle pain and DOMS markers. However, more research needs to be done in this area.

Post-exercise Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) is a novel training method that, through alterations to the haemodynamic, metabolic, and hypoxic stimulus, could augment skeletal muscle adaptation in endurance-trained individuals. This study aimed to compare the effect of eight weeks of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and BFR on PGC-1α and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) as mitochondrial biogenesis and angiogenesis biomarkers, respectively, in amateur male runners.

In the current study, 15 runners (Meas±SD of age: 23±3 years; height: 172±5 cm; weight: 73±4 kg: BMI: 23±1.7 kg/m2) voluntarily participating in this study were divided into three groups: 1-Control 2-HIIT and 3-HIIT+BFR or BFR. The experimental groups performed three sessions a week (six trials each session) for eight weeks. The biopsy samples were collected from the vastus lateralis muscle at the first and end of eight weeks. The protein expression levels of the PGC-1α and VEGF were studied by immunohistochemical method. Data analysis was performed using the one-way Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA), and a significance level of P<0.05 was considered.

The findings showed that PGC-1α values were significantly increased in the HIIT and BFR groups (54.9% and 60.85%, respectively) compared to the control group, as well as VEGF levels were 51.31% and 57.52%, respectively (P<0.05). There were also significant differences between experimental groups in the protein expressions (P<0.05).

Given that activation of VEGF from the PGC-1 pathway is part of cellular-molecular mechanisms of high-intensity interval training, It seems that the combination of intense interval training and BFR can effectively affect the process of angiogenesis in the vastus lateralis muscle of amateur runners.

Although the outbreak of coronavirus has caused problems in all aspects of human life. Still, this disease has caused severe damage to the health of the elderly community and the level of physical activity and free movement of the elderly. This study aimed to investigate the effect of one year of coronavirus limitation on the motor function of the elderly living in care centers.

The present study was a cohort study that was conducted in the field. The statistical population of this study was male and female elderly over 60 years of age from two nursing homes in Rash City. Berg functional balance tests evaluated the motor function of the elderly, Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test or fall probability test and walking speed test or 10-meter walk test. Shapiro-Wilk test was used to check the normality of the data, descriptive statistics were used to determine the mean and standard deviation, and paired t-test and McNemar was used to analyze the data and examine the intra-group differences between the data in SPSS software version 26.

The results of the correlated t-test showed that the time up and go test in the elderly under the influence of one year of movement limitation in the post-coronary period had a significant increase (p=0.001), also in functional balance index (p=0.03) significant changes according to For a year, the elderly had limited mobility. There was a significant decrease in the walking variable (p=0.001) following this period. It also showed a significant increase in the probability of falling index (p=0.021).

According to the findings of the present study, elderly cares centers and families with the elderly should pay close attention to the need for a level of physical activity and exercise in this critical period of coronation for these people and in addition to planning to increase the level of physical activity These people, they are encouraged to participate in physical activity.

The sedentary lifestyle is related to the incidence of various diseases and metabolic disorders. Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) can be considered as an appropriate criterion predicting coronary heart disease. This study aimed to investigate the Effect of 8-week aerobic training on anthropometric Indices, the Atherogenic Index of Plasma, and some cardiovascular risk factors in inactive men.

In the current quasi-experimental study, 40 inactive employees with a Mean±SD age of 36.17±8.97 years and body mass index of 26.60±4.12 kg/m2 after obtaining testimonial voluntarily performed aerobic exercise training for 8 weeks (each session 45 to 60 minutes) with 70 percent of maximal heart rate. Blood samples were taken before and after exercise to measure serum variables. Data were analyzed by paired t-test at the significant level of P<0.05.

Statistical analysis showed that after 8 weeks of aerobic exercise, Body fat percentage (P=0.04), cholesterol (P=0.001), LDL/HDL ratio (P=0.03), TG/HDL ratio (P=0.01), TC/HDL ratio (P=0.001), and apo-B (P=0.01) decreased significantly. Also, VO2max (P=0.011) and HDL (P=0.010) increased dramatically after 8 weeks of participation in aerobic activity. 

According to the results, an increase in physical activity can probably reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Also, physical activity with lowering the risk factors of developing CVD events and significant prevention of its progression, the beneficial properties of physical activity are underscored, and promoting its effectiveness as support for healthier lifestyles in the community and particularly among inactive men is emphasized.

Foot overpronation is one of the most critical factors that cause musculoskeletal injuries and lead to greater mechanical loads in the lower limb structure. Sand is an unstable and unpredictable surface that has particular importance in human movement mechanics. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of sand surface training on directed and general co-contraction of ankle joint muscles in individuals with foot overpronation during running.

The present study was a randomized clinical trial type. Statistical samples of the present study included 15 males with foot overpronation in the control group and 15 males with foot overpronation in the intervention group. Individuals in the intervention group performed a sand surface training program consisting of continuous jogging, striding, bounding, galloping, and short sprints for 8 weeks. Tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius medialis muscles activity was evaluated by an 8-channel electromyography system with a surface electrode during running. A two-way ANOVA test was used for statistical analysis at the significant level P<0.05.

The results demonstrated greater ankle-directed co-contraction in the push-off phase during post-test compared with the pre-test in the intervention group during training on sand (P=0.040). Other components of directed co-contraction in the different stages and general co-contraction in all phases did not demonstrate significant differences after sand training (P>0.05).

It seems greater ankle joint directed co-contraction in the push-off phase after training protocol reduced the risks of lower limb injuries and ankle instability in individuals with foot overpronation in this phase.

One of the most common and dangerous injuries in sports is an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury. Today, despite the ACL injury prevention programs, the prevalence of this injury remains high. Most of the instructions used in injury prevention programs are based on internal focus, while studies have shown that using external focus can improve performance in individuals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of focus of attention on eight weeks of anterior cruciate ligament injury prevention training on landing skill kinetic variables in soccer players.

The current methodology included 35 players from 3 premier league teams in Tehran province. The teams were randomly divided into three groups of Prevent injury and Enhance Performance (PEP) exercises based on the External Focus (EF) (12 people), Internal Focus (IF) (12 people), and control group (11 people). In the pretest of ground reaction force, rate of loading, and time to stabilization during landing skill. The training groups performed pep injury prevention exercises for eight weeks and related instructions instead of warm-up exercises. Control group players were performing the regular activities. ANOVA with repeated measures and one-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests were used to evaluate changes.

The test results showed significant changes in vertical, anterior-posterior ground reaction force and rate of loading in the external focus group (P≤0.05). But there was no critical difference in time to stabilization and internal-external ground reaction force.

According to the results, external focus instruction has positive effects on kinetic components. Therefore, it is recommended that exercises based on these instructions be used to reduce the risk of ACL injury and to repair this injury.

This study evaluated dynamic balance, quadriceps, and hamstring strength in individuals with Covid 19 compared with healthy control ones.

A total of 30 people were divided into two groups, including healthy people (n=15) and people with Covid-19. Dynamic balance was measured using the star excursion balance test. A dynamometer performed lower limb muscle strength measurements. An independent t-test was used to compare the two groups statistically. The significance level was considered 0.05.

Quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength were similar in both groups (P>0.05). The results showed that the values of dynamic balance in the lateral (P=0.001), medial (P=0.001), and posterior medial (P=0.001) directions were significantly lower in the group with Covid-19 than that in the healthy group.

In general, the balance of people with Covid-19 was significantly lower than the healthy group. Decreased balance due to this disease can increase the risk of injury. There was no significant difference in lower limb muscle strength in patients with Covid-19 compared with healthy individuals. Perhaps more research is needed in the future to prove this better.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of a watercourse on the quality of life, pain, balance, and handgrip in men with fibromyalgia. 

The research method was quasi-experimental. The statistical population consists of men 40-50 years old with fibromyalgia in Tehran City. Among the available subjects who were purposefully selected, 30 were randomly divided into experimental and control groups (15 in each group). Quality of life was measured using the SF-36 questionnaire, perceived pain severity by visual grading scale, and strength using a manual dynamometer.

The results showed that 8 weeks of water exercise had a significant effect on the quality of life (P=0.0001), pain (P=0.0001), and strength gain in men with fibromyalgia (P=0.0001).

Water exercise can improve men’s quality of life, strength, and pain perception with fibromyalgia.

Considering the exclusive effects of different training programs on structural, functional, and physiological responses of heart, vessels, and blood, cardiac rehabilitation programs have rehabilitated and therapeutic usage after heart attacks or angioplasty to reduce the rate of deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases. The research aims to examine the effects of two methods, aerobic and parallel exercises, on selected biomechanical variables of blood in the bilateral femoral artery in patients 40-65 years old after coronary angioplasty.

The research method is semi-experimental and prospective. The research was performed as pretest-posttest, with 90 male and female patients with coronary heart disease who had undergone angioplasty divided into three experiments (aerobic and parallel) and control groups. Forty minutes of aerobic exercise based on the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) guidelines followed by 20 minutes of resistance training twice a week was performed in the parallel exercise group. The Mean±SD was used for data description, Kolmogorov–Smirnov test was used for reviewing data distribution, Kruskal–Wallis non-parametric and Mann–Whitney post hoc test were used for abnormal variables, and ANOVA, Welch’s test, and Tukey post-hoc test were used for standard variables at a significance level of 0.05.

The results showed a significant difference in diastolic blood pressure of the left femoral after performing aerobic and parallel exercises. A significant difference was also seen in the velocity of blood flow in the left femoral’s diastole phase and blood pressure of the left femoral in the systole phase after performing parallel exercises. Comparing the effect of two training methods on selected biomechanical variables of blood, no significant difference was observed between the two methods.

It is recommended to use the beneficial effects of aerobic and parallel exercises to improve biomechanical variables of blood with appropriate intensity and duration in patients 40 to 65 years old following coronary angioplasty.

Landing is a typical sports motion that can create impact force 2-12 times of body weight, and finally, it’s one of the main reasons for non-contact injuries in ankle ligaments. Specialized. The usual effects of Kinesio tape include increasing proprioception, health direction of joints, reducing pain, and raising pressure on nervous tissue. The study aimed to investigate the effect of Kinesio taping on ankle joint kinematics during landing on stiff and soft surfaces in ankle sprain and healthy persons.

The method of the present study was quasi-experimental with a two-group design in control groups (without ankle sprain) and experimental (with an ankle sprain). A total of 30 male students of the Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman were purposefully and accessibly selected and divided into two groups with (15 students) and without ankle sprains (15 students). Then, they performed both landing operations on stable and unstable surfaces, with and without Kinesio tape. Maximum dorsi and plantar flexion, supination, pronation and maximum ankle angular velocity parameters were recorded by a three-dimensional motion analysis system. Statistical analysis was performed using independent t-test and repeated measures analysis of variance at the significant level of 0.05.

There was no significant reduction in plantar flexion of the ankle in healthy and twisted individuals while landing on stable and unstable surfaces with and without Kinesio tape (P≤0.07), but there was a significant reduction in the dorsiflexion in both groups(P≤0.001). On the other hand, there was no significant decrease in pronation (P≤0.66), but there was a significant decrease in foot supination (P≤0.001).

Generally, Kinesio tape in recovery ankle movement is offered to persons for ankle sprain. Thus recommendation landing exercises fare with more flexion angle and less knee joint valgus and more dorsiflexion angle at ankle joint and preferable on the unstable surfaces.

Autism is an evolutional syndrome that causes social and interactional disorders and changes movement patterns. Corrective exercises can positively affect gait and balance in autistic children. The suit therapy is jointed with hooks and elastic bands that balance pressure and support muscles and joints. This study compares the effect of corrective exercise with and without suit therapy on gait kinematic and balance in autistic children with toe walking.

A group of 30 autistic boys with toe walking (Mean±SD: age= 5.7±1.7 years, height= 106.4±19.5 cm, and weight= 20.8±5.8 kg) were chosen voluntarily and purposefully in this study and then randomly assigned into two groups of with and without suit therapy. Both groups received 8 weeks of corrective exercises, including 5 sessions per week, each session for 2 hours. The cases gait kinematic (Tree dimensional movement analysis) and balance (Tinetti) were evaluated in the pre and posttest. Paired and independent t-test were used for statistical analyses using SPSS v. 16. 

The result revealed a significant difference in the gait kinematic between the two groups. Treatment in the corrective exercises group with suit therapy was significantly more effective in stride length (P=0.001), step length (P=0.001), step width (P=0.021), walking speed (P=0.001), ankle dorsiflexion in stance (P=0.001), and swing (P=0.001) phase than that corrective exercises without suit therapy group. But between these two groups, no significant difference was observed in stride time (P=0.444), cadence (P=0.361), deviation foot (P=0.614), and hip flexion (P=0.135). The results of the study also showed no significant difference in balance (P=0.927) between groups. 

Corrective exercises with suit therapy are more effective than ones without suit therapy. Therefore, corrective exercises sessions with suit therapy are suggested for autistic boys with toe walking.

This study aimed at the effects of 8 weeks TRX exercises and core stability exercises in the stable level on the landing pattern, the stability of the core area, and the balance of girls football players.

Thirty athletes with trunk defects were screened by Tuck Jump test and selected as a statistical sample. Finally, assigned to two groups of 15 subjects at a stable level and varying level training. Both groups participated in pretest and post-test. Both groups training sessions for 8 weeks and three weeks each week on core stability training at both sustained (stable) and unstable (TRX). This study used the core stability practice protocol in the training section at a stable and unstable level. The static and dynamic balance were evaluated by BESS and Y tests, respectively. McGill’s endurance tests also evaluated the endurance of the core region. In addition, landing mechanics were assessed using the Landing Error Score System test. ANCOVA test was used to compare the differences between the research variables by two types of training. The stability of the core body was used in two groups of training (stable and TRX) and a t-test for correlating the changes within the group.

The results of the analysis of t-test showed that in the results of the stable training (P≤0.001) and TRX (P≤0.001) effect on score of the error of landing error, LESS, flexion 60 °, Sorensen, Right Plank, static balance and total dynamic balance score. In the post-test, there are significant differences between the two groups in the TRX and stable levels in LESS, Sorensen, static balance in the state stand on two legs on a soft surface and stand in the Tandem on a soft surface (P≤0.05).

the results of this study showed that the use of core stability training at a stable and unstable level by helping to improve the landing jump activity, as well as improving muscular balance and endurance, can be eliminated by modifying some of the risk factors associated with an ACL injury to prevent Lower limb non-limiting injury in athletes with trunk defects.

Since fatigue in different regions of the lower extremities can effectively alter the movement pattern of this part of the body and cause joint-related kinematic changes that increase the risk of injury and mental fatigue, which may be a factor in reducing productivity and injury. Therefore, the study of kinematic changes during fatigue can have helpful results. This study aimed to investigate the effect of lower extremity fatigue on knee joint kinematics during landing in adult soccer players.

Ten adult male soccer players (Mean±SD = age: 20.7±1.05 years; Height: 178.9±4.17 cm; Weight: 71.55±8.04 kg) participated in this study. Subjects performed a pre-test, which included jumping and landing on a 40-cm box, and recording cameras of the valgus motion analyzer, flexion, and knee rotation. The Kingtools section of the plugin software attached to the Cortex software was used for segmentation and kinematic information. The lower extremity fatigue protocol consisted of 10 repetitions of single-leg squats up to 90 degrees of knee flexion, 20 vertical jumps with a single leg, and 1 repetition of step –going up and down a 31cm step. The Borg scale was used to measure fatigue. Before and after the fatigue protocol, a single-leg hop was used to determine the level of fatigue. After the fatigue protocol, a post-test was performed. Data were analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk test for normality of the data, and paired t-test was used to compare mean in pre-test and post-test independent variables.

The paired t-test results for comparison of kinematic data showed that contact flexion had a significant difference from pre-test to post-test and other kinematic variables had no significant changes from pre-test to post-test. Statistical significance was considered at P≤0.05.

According to the findings of this study, it can be concluded that lower extremity fatigue in the present study partly caused kinematic changes in predicting ACL injury. Kinematic changes have included a decrease in Contact flexion, which is one of the predictors of ACL injury during landing.

Children with developmental coordination disorders experience some form of impairment in some executive functions. The present study was designed and conducted to study the effect and retention of cognitive games on the development of three components of executive functions (response inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility) among children with developmental coordination disorders.

The present study was a quasi-experimental study with a control group. Thirty girls aged 7-10 years with developmental coordination disorder Based on the score obtained in the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-second edition (MABC-2) test set and based on the IQ score, were divided into two experimental and control groups. MABC-2 and Cattle and intelligence tests were used for initial screening, and N-Back, Stroop, and Go-NOGO tests measured working memory, cognitive flexibility, and response inhibition. The training protocol consisted of a series of purposeful cognitive and motor games that explicitly considered the development of a specific component of executive functions. Data were analyzed using a combined two-way analysis (2×3) of variance.

The findings showed, performance Working memory (P=0.0001) performance, cognitive flexibility (P=0.045), and response inhibition (P=0.010) increased in the experimental group from pretest to posttest, While no such change was observed in the control group. Also, the effect of improving games on working memory (P=0.0001) and response inhibition (P=0.033) was maintained until the retention test. At the same time, there was no significant difference between cognitive flexibility in the retention test of children with developmental coordination disorder in the experimental group and control.

Based on the findings, cognitive-motor games effectively improve and maintain working memory, inhibit response, and develop cognitive flexibility. As a result, according to the results of this study and other studies, it can be acknowledged that intervention as a process as a process-oriented therapy with the involvement of the individual in a mental process improves the executive functions of children with developmental coordination disorder and games introduced in this Research is a good framework for designing and implementing high quality and reproducible programs.

Perturbation training is a type of exercise in which participants frequently experience loss of balance to practice and improve control of balance reactions. Due to postural control impairment in blind people, this study aimed to investigate the effect of 4-week perturbation-based balance training on risk of falling, movement function, and balance in people with visual impairment.

In the current, 30 men with absolute visual impairment were randomly divided into control (n=15) and experimental (n=15) groups. The experimental group performed perturbation exercises for four weeks and three sessions per week for 60 minutes. To evaluate the static balance of the modified stork test, the dynamic balance of the Berg balance tests, the movement function of the Tinetti test, and the fall risk of the functional reach test before and after the training intervention were used. Data were analyzed using an independent t-test and repeated measures analysis of variance at the level of α=0.05.

The results showed that the experimental group had an increase in the mean scores of static balance (P=0.001), dynamic balance (P=0.001), movement function (P=0.001), and decreased risk of falling (P=0.001) and is significantly better than the control group. Also, in the post-test, the findings of intragroup changes showed that the experimental group had a more significant effect on increasing balance, increasing movement function, and decreasing the rate of falling than the control group (P<0.05).

According to the results of the present study, the use of perturbation exercises improves balance, increases the level of movement function, and reduces the risk of falling in blind people. Due to the positive effects of exercises and the benefits of this type of rehabilitation, it is recommended that this rehabilitation program be performed on the blind and visually impaired. Sports instructors are advised to use the balance-based perturbation exercises in this study and other exercises for people with visual impairment to increase their fitness.