rezvan kheirandish

Balance is an important factor for the success and health of mountaineers. This study aimed to investigate the separate and combined effects of electrical brain stimulation and acetazolamide on the balance of male mountaineers.

Methods & Materials: 

12 male mountaineers (mean±standard deviasion of age, height, and weight was respectively: 39.8±4.6 years, 177.4±7.8 cm, and 79.1±1.9 kg) participated in this double-blind study. Participants were exposed to six conditions: 1)Acetazolamide-M1 stimulation 2)Acetazolamide-DLPFC stimulation 3)Acetazolamide-sham 4)Placebo-M1 5)Placebo-DLPFC 6)Placebo-sham. In each session, subjects received 20 minutes of brain stimulation, after being exposed to 30 minutes of hypoxia (O2=13%) in a sitting position. Then, participants performed an endurance-exhausting task at 60% of maximal aerobic speed on the treadmill, considering their aerobic endurance. Immediately after the task, the balances of the supporting and nonsupporting legs were measured. The two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used for statistical analysis.

In hypoxic conditions, stimulation of the M1 and DLPFC regions had a significant positive effect on the balance of the supporting leg compared to the sham stimulation conditions (p=0.02 and p=0.03, respectively). However, there was no significant difference between these two types of stimulation. For the nonsupporting leg, no significant difference was observed between the stimulation conditions in different areas. In addition, no significant difference was seen between the use of acetazolamide and sham on the balance of the supporting and nonsupporting legs.

Stimulation of the M1 and DLPFC areas can improve the balance of the supporting leg of mountaineers during high-altitude climbing.

Some studies have studied the effect of insomnia on the performance of athletes. However, no research was found to investigate the effect of caffeine supplementation after 24-hour sleep deprivation. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the acute effect of caffeine consumption following 24 hours of sleep deprivation on the muscular and physiological performance of handball players.

In this double-blind and semi-experimental study, 40 male handball players (average age: 17.66±3.36 years, height: 179.47±7.29 cm, weight: 82.27±14.04 kg), were randomly divided into four groups (10 people in each group): caffeine supplement + sleep deprivation, placebo + sleep deprivation, insomnia group and complete sleep group. The supplement group took caffeine capsules (5 mg per kilogram of body weight) and the placebo group (starch powder) one hour before the test. One-way ANOVA statistical test was used to compare the significance level (P≤0.05) between groups.

24 hours of sleep deprivation had no significant effect on abdominal muscle endurance and flexibility (P≤0.05). However, sleep deprivation caused a significant decrease in the strength, power and muscular endurance of the subjects' shoulder girdle (P≥0.05). Also, consuming caffeine after 24 hours of sleep deprivation improved muscle strength and power in the supplement group compared to the placebo group (P≥0.05). However, there was no difference between the muscle endurance of the caffeine group and the placebo group (P≤0.05).

According to the results, it can be stated that the physical and physiological performance is disturbed due to the combination of mental pressure caused by insomnia and stress caused by sports activity. Therefore, it is suggested to use caffeine supplement to compensate for insomnia and improve performance.

Irisin is myokine, that is secreted by acute exercise activity from the muscle and increases energy consumption. The purpose of this study was to determine the response of irisin serum and insulin resistance to acute pilates training sessions pilates training in obese sedentary women. This research is a semi experimental study with pre-and post-test design. The statistical population of this study was made up of disabled obese women in Ahwaz, with 21 subjects (mean age 39.1±10.0 years and BMI 35.9±3.4 kg/m2) were randomly divided into Pilates group (n=12) and control group (n=9). The training group performed 60-minute Pilates training with a14-16 Borg perceived perception index, while the control group did not exercise. After at least 8 hours-fasting, blood samples were collected before and immediately after each activity, to measure the levels of Irisin, glucose, insulin and insulin resistance. Data were analyzed with paired-sample t-test and ANCOVA and the relationship between the variables was calculated by Pearson correlation test. The results indicated no significant changes in blood glucose, insulin, insulin resistance index and serum Irisin levels in Pilate’s group compared with the control group after a Pilates exercise session (p≥0.05). Furthermore, correlation was not between Irisin to, glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance index (p≥0.05). Although research on this regard is a beginning pathway. However, Acute Pilates exercise does not seem to have an effect on glucose, insulin, insulin resistance, and Irisin level.

The motivation for various activities is strongly influenced by individual perceptions of one’s activities toward those activities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between situational motivation and perceived intensity of exercise in obese women to predict a change in positive effect from a Pilates exercise session. In this quasi-experimental study, 17 obese women with a mean weight of 87.4 ± 0.10, age 39.10 ± 10.0, and a body mass index of 35.9 ± 3.5 voluntarily participated. They responded to the positive affective questionnaire and situational motivation scale before the exercise program. Then performed Pilates training and immediately after the training, they again completed the positive affective questionnaire. The perceived was also measured after exercise. Data were analyzed by paired t-test and hierarchical regression. The results showed a significant difference in the level of positive affect after-before exercise (P≤0.05). Predictive regression analysis was a positive effect on the interaction of internal motivation and perceived severity, as well as their interaction with the identified adjustment factor (P≤0.05). The current findings showed that Pilates exercises improve positive effect in obese women, also internal motivation was seen to be a strong predictor. According to the finding, strengthening the internal motivation in obese women is recommended for physical activity and attaining the positive effect of it.

Obesity has adverse effects on respiratory mechanisms and is considered as a risk factor for respiratory problems. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the selected Pilates exercise program on some respiratory parameters of obese sedentary women.
In this randomized experimental study with pre- and post-test design, 24 inactive obese women (with the mean age 38.4±8.61 years and BMI 35.6±2.95 kg/m2) were randomly divided into two groups of exercise (n=15) and control (n=9). The experimental group participated in a Pilates training program) 8 weeks, 3 times per week), while the control group did not participate in any training program. Some respiratory parameters were measured before and after the training program by a spirometer.
The results showed that Pilates training increased vital capacity (IVC) by 10%, inspiratory reserve volume (IRV) by 19%, expiratory reserve volume (ERV) by 51% , tidal volume (VT) by 29%, peak expiratory flow (PEF) by 88%, peak inspiratory flow (PIF) by 28%, maximum expiratory flow 25 (MEF25) by 55%, maximum expiratory flow 50 (MEF50) by 63%, maximum expiratory flow 75 (MEF75) by 89%, maximum expiratory flow 75-85 (MEF75-85) by 93% , which this increase was not significant in the IRV and VT indexes.
It seems that Pilates exercises can increase the performance of the respiratory muscles in obese sedentary women and improve lung function by increasing some respiratory parameters.

  Irisin is a novel myokine, adipokine and neurokine that recently discovered in humans and mice.
Evidence suggests that Irisin is associated with obesity and diabetes. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of 8-weeks Pilates training programs on serum irisn levels and insulin resistance index in obese
women. This research is a semi experimental study with pre-and post-test Design. In this quasiexperimental study, 24 obese women (mean age 38/4±8/61 years and BMI 35/6±2/95 kg/m2) volunteered to participate in this study and were randomly divided into Pilates group (n=15) and control group (n=9). Pilates training program performed in 8 weeks, 3 times per week, and 14-16 RPE While the control group did not exercise. Blood samples were obtained before and after training to measure glucose, insulin, insulin resistance and Irisin. Data were analyzed with paired-sample t-test and ANCOVA. The results indicated no significant changes in blood glucose (p=0.44), insulin (p=0.81), insulin resistance index (p=0.85) and serum Irisin levels(p=0.86) in Pilate’s group compared with the control group after 8 weeks (p>0.05). Furthermore, correlation was not between Irisin to BMI, weight, glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance index (p≥0.05). The results were showed increase VO2max after the Pilates exercises(p<0.05) This finding revealed that 8 weeks Pilates training cannot be considerable impact on glucose, insulin, insulin resistance index and
serum Irisin levels in obese women.