New Approaches in Exercise Physiology

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effects of HIFT exercise, on creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in blood serum in overweight adult men. Method : Twenty-two untrained non-smoker overweight men (age, 42.9 ± 5.6 years; body mass, 94.2 ± 9.3 kg; body height, 178.9 ± 4.5 cm; and BMI, 29.04 ± 3.3 kg/m2) volunteered to participate in this study and performed a session of HIFT exercise with 80-85% HRmax consisting of three sets of 10 exercises. Blood samples were collected before and immediately after training to measure serum CK and LDH levels. Results: The HIFT protocol significantly increased serum CK (Pre: 114.6 U/L; Post: 124.3U/L; p< 0.05{t=-5.48, p=0.001}); Also, LDH had a significant increase (pre:213.4 U/L, post: 225.4U/L; p<0.05{t=-4.09, p=0.001}). Conclusion: It can be concluded that HIFT with AMRAP (as many repeats as possible) protocol will lead to a significant increase in some indicators of muscle damage such as CK and LDH levels in overweight men. This protocol can lead to muscle damage in overweight men.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of a pulmonary rehabilitation exercise program on post-COVID-19 patients. Method : Three patients (two women and one man) with different severities, from moderate to severe, were selected. Blood pressure, heart rate, blood oxygen, and body function were measured at the beginning and end of the exercises, which included 12 sessions of arm and leg cycle ergometer and treadmill with adjustable resistance levels. Patients’ functionality was assessed using the Barthel index, and their quality of life was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire. Results: Regarding the first patient, oxygen saturation increased from 85 to 95, the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) result increased from 0 to 420 meters, and the Barthel index increased from 35 to 85. For the second patient, arterial oxygen saturation increased from 82 to 92, the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) result increased from 0 to 390 meters, and the Barthel index increased from 30 to 90. For the third patient, arterial oxygen saturation increased from 87 to 96, the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) result increased from 320 to 510 meters, and the Barthel index increased from 60 to 85. All the patients showed improvements in their physical functions, such as walking, personal affairs, and quality of life. This functional improvement was higher in more severe levels of the disease. Conclusion: Based on the results, it seems that pulmonary rehabilitation exercises for post-COVID-19 patients can contribute to the improvement of their status, arterial oxygen level, quality of life, and pulmonary functionality.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 8-weeks endurance training on volume and capacity of lungs (forced expiratory volume in 1second, Forced vital capacity, ratio FEV1/FVC) and its relationship with BMI in Male Smoking students. Method: In order to accomplish this research 20 cigarette addicted men students referred to the smoking cessation clinic were randomly selected and were divided into two groups of experimental (n=10) (age: 15.33 ± 2.07 years and BMI: 25.41 ± 3.55 kg/m2) and the control group (n = 10) (age: 15.10 ± 2.81 years and BMI: 27.26 ± 66 kg/m2). The Spirometry indexes (FEV1/FVC, FEV1, FVC), height and weight were measured Prior and after 8-weeks of endurance training. Experimental group performed 8-weeks of progressive endurance training (3 sessions per week, 60 minutes per session) which included running with the intensity of 75% MHR. Intensity of exercise was controlled by maximum heart rate and the formula of (220-age) and the intensity level and duration of exercises increased in each session. Data analysis was done by using the variance analysis method for repetitive data and the independent T-test. Results: The results of this study showed that after eight weeks of endurance training, Spirometry indexes (FEV1/FVC, FEV1, FVC) significantly increased (P<0.05), and this increase had a negative relation with BMI (P<0.05, r=-0.62). Conclusion: the study showed that eight weeks of moderate-intensity endurance training improved volume and lung capacity of Male Smoking students and it could partly remove the damaging effects of smoking on physical and psychological health and it can help them quit smoking as well.

Purpose: Functional Movement Screening Test (FMS) is a tool that has the ability to determine a person's potential for the possibility of suffering from musculoskeletal abnormalities and sports injuries. FMS tests include seven functional movement tests that evaluate trunk, central strength and stability, neuromuscular coordination, asymmetry in movement, and flexibility. The purpose of this research was to determine the norm of the functional motor screening test in the male handball players of the Sepahan club in Isfahan. Method: The method of collecting information is cross-sectional and in terms of practical purpose. For this purpose, 30 male students aged 14-16 from Sepahan Handball Club of Isfahan were evaluated by performing 7 FMS tests. Findings: The norm of FMS test in 14-year-old students was 14.39±1.66, in 15-year-old students it was 15.85±1.47, and in 16-year-old students it was 15.29±1.21. Therefore, it can be stated that the FMS scores in these people are in a better condition compared to related studies in this age group. Also, the test scores separately showed that 75% of this population does not have enough stability in the central part of the body. Discussion and conclusion: In many sports activities, the movements of the upper and lower limbs need to have sufficient stability in the central area, if there is no stability in this area, energy transfer does not take place well. Since this age group is at the beginning of official sports competitions and considering that the clinical usefulness of FMS is limited by the lack of Norm index in Iran, sports medicine specialists and sports team coaches can evaluate the value of Norm scores to diagnose and identify people. at the risk of physical deformity and injury at different ages and plan bodybuilding and corrective exercises based on it

The purpose of this study is to compare the performance indicators between different football positions using the Global Positioning System (GPS) in Iranian Premier League football players. This is quasi-experimental study. To conduct this research, 18 football players who are members of a club in the Iranian Premier League were selected as the available sample, and the players were divided into 6 groups based on the game post. Then the data related to the players' performance (total distance, distance traveled with maximum speed, duration of maximum speed, maximum speed, sprints, number of accelerations, and number of decelerations) in 6 consecutive matches Collected using Global Positioning System (GPS). Also, one-way ANOVA analysis and SPSS software were used for data analysis at a significant level (α = 0.05). Based on the findings of the present study, between different football positions for the variables of total distance (P≤0.00), distance traveled at maximum speed (P≤0.00), duration of maximum speed (P≤0.00), maximum speed (P≤0.00), sprints (P≤0.00), number of accelerations (P≤0.00) and number of decelerations (P≤0.00) there are significant differences. There are many fundamental differences between the performance indicators of different football positions with each other it is necessary to recognize these differences and it is necessary to consider special exercises according to the physiological needs of each post.

Purpose: The world is getting old. Alzheimer's disease is a progressive disease, which in case of no intervention, this ratio reaches 4 more advanced stages in people over 85 years old. Some methods have shown that they can be effective in preventing and slowing down the course of the disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of aerobic exercise program on the quality and some physiological parameters related to sleep in the elderly with Alzheimer's disease. Method: 22 elderly people with Alzheimer's disease were randomly divided into two groups of 11 people: aerobic exercise and control. The subjects in the aerobic training group practiced three sessions every week for twelve weeks and each session lasted for 45 minutes. The sleep quality of the subjects was evaluated by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire (PSQI). Physiological variables related to sleep (TG, TC, LDL, HDL) were also measured by blood sampling before and after twelve weeks of aerobic exercise Results: The results showed that the sleep quality of the subjects improved by 31% in the Pied Heroi group, which was statistically significant. In addition, there was a significant improvement in the changes of TG (p=0.034), TC (p=0.017), LDL (p=0.006), and HDL (p=0.016) in the aerobic training group. The results of the independent t test also showed that there was a significant difference in sleep quality between the aerobic training and control groups. However, no relationship was observed between changes in sleep quality and changes in physiological variables related to sleep. Conclusion: It can be concluded that twelve weeks of aerobic exercise improves sleep quality along with some physiological parameters related to sleep in the elderly with Alzheimer's disease and will be useful as a way to treat sleep problems in the elderly.

Purpose: Type 2 diabetes is one of the most important metabolic disorders that different societies are facing with increasing prevalence. Aerobic exercises are a common type of exercise that reduces the levels of triglycerides and low-density lipoproteins and regulates blood pressure. The purpose of the research is to investigate the effect of 12 weeks of aerobic exercise on fasting glucose and several serum indicators of cardiovascular disease, in women with type 2 diabetes. Methods: In 2023, 20 women who referred to the Hamadan Diabetes Association voluntarily participated as subjects in this research and were randomly assigned to aerobic (10 people) and control (10 people) groups. The exercise program of the aerobic group included 3 running sessions per week with an intensity of 60-70% of the maximum heart rate for 12 weeks. In order to measure fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and lipid profile [low-density lipoprotein (LDL-c), triglycerides (TG), High-density lipoprotein (HDL-c)], blood sampling was done before and after 12 weeks of exercise program. SPSS software and Kologrov Smirnov and Student's t test were used to check and analyze the data. Results: The results indicated that after 12 weeks of aerobic exercise, HbA1c (P=0/027), LDL-c (P=0/012) and fasting blood glucose (P=0/043) decreased significantly in the aerobic group. But no significant changes were observed in HDL-c and BMI. Conclusion: The results of this research showed that performing aerobic exercises leads to a decrease in HbA1c, fasting blood glucose and improvement in lipid profile, so it can probably be a useful way of treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases in type 2 diabetic patients.

Background: Limited research has investigated the use of chamomile as an antioxidant supplement in team sports . Purpose : The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of chamomile extract on antioxidant indices in young female futsal players. Methods : 20 young female futsal players (Average age: 22.08 ± 5.03 years, weight: 54.4 ± 8.62 kg, and body mass index: 20.56 ± 2.6 kg/m2) were divided randomly into two groups, experimental group (10 people) and control group (10 people). The experimental group consumed 1500 mg/day of the supplement for one week, while the control group received a placebo. Both groups were nutritionally controlled during this period. After the end of the intervention period, two simultaneous futsal matches were held for two groups (two teams of 5 players in each match). Anthropometric characteristics were evaluated in resting conditions and biochemical markers were measured before the intervention, immediately after the competition, and 30 minutes after the competition. Data analysis was performed using the repeated measurement variance test. The level of significance was considered at P<0.05. Results : The results showed a significant increase in SOD levels (P<0.05) and a significant decrease in CAT levels (P<0.05) immediately after the competition in the supplement group, but this significance was not seen 30 minutes after the competition. Conclusion : One-week consumption of chamomile improves antioxidant defense in young female futsal players. Conducting studies with long-term follow-up to confirm these findings should be considered.

Purpose: The number of damages and severity of the injury has increased in recent years in handball. Recent studies have reported that functional testing before the season is associated with future injuries of athletes. However, the findings related to these studies are inconsistent. The current study aims to examine the accuracy of functional testing to predict the amount and severity of lower limb injuries of handball athletes in Tehran.   Method: 80 people of handball players (men) of league clubs of Tehran in the age range of 20-30 years were purposefully selected. Next, functional testing, including the Y balance, single-leg jump, and Functional Movement Screen (FMS) was taken from them. The hours of exercise and competition for teams, along with the number of players' injuries, were recorded during the half-season of competitions. To predict the severity and incidence rate of the injury, the univariate curve estimation regression test was used. Results: The results of this test showed that among functional testing, only single-leg jump (p= 0.035) could predict the severity of the injury incidence, and none of the tests the incidence rate of the injury (p> 0.05). Conclusions: It can be said that only single-leg jump can predict the severity of weak injuries (less than 10 lost days), and screening tests of functional activities have a very limited application to identify the handball athletes at risk of the injury.

The phenomena of fatigue of voluntary muscular effort is intricate and multidimensional in the field of sports sciences. The causes and effects of exercise-induced fatigue have been extensively studied, but the central nervous system's (CNS) involvement in this process is still unclear. In order to understand CNS fatigue after physical activity, the current review will examine changes in neurotransmitter function during exercise. Using primary sources such scientific journals and websites, a consensus and critical evaluation were carried out in order to accomplish this goal. For a number of neurotransmitters, including dopamine and serotonin (5-HT; 5-hydroxytryptamine), hypotheses have been established. The most well-known one is a rise in serotonin levels throughout the brain. Nutritional interventions intended to reduce brain serotonin synthesis during extended exercise enhance endurance performance, and there is strong evidence that increases and decreases in brain serotonin activity during prolonged exercise, respectively, accelerate and delay fatigue. There are several physiologically connected causes of fatigue. It is important to better understand how CNS effects affect fatigue in order to achieve maximum muscle performance in both daily life and athletics.

Purpose: Diabetes mellitus is the most common metabolic problem worldwide, which is associated with hyperglycemia and structural and functional disorders of the nervous system. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of endurance training on serum glucose levels, weight changes and Like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) protein expression in the hippocampus of diabetic rats. Method: For this study, the samples included 48 male Wistar rats (8 weeks old), which were divided into 4 groups: control (C), the diabetes control (DC), diabetes-training (DT) and exercise (T). In order to induce diabetes, streptozotocin injection was used. 5 sessions per week of endurance activity were performed for 6 weeks. 48 hours after the completion of the exercise program, hippocampal tissue was dissected and extracted. ELISA method and one-way variance test were used to analyze the data. Resalts: Based on the results, serum glucose levels decreased after six weeks of endurance training (p=0.001). The amount of IGF-1 in group DC was significantly lower compared to all groups DT, T, and C (P≤0.05). But the DT group had no significant difference with the C and T groups (P=0.210 and P=0.226, respectively). On the other hand, the amount of IGF-1 in group T was only significantly different from group D (P=0.001). The correlation between blood glucose and IGF-1 was significant (p=0.001, r=0.820). Conclusion: Diabetes reduces IGF-1 and hyperglycemia, but exercise moderates the effect of diabetes on IGF-1. Considering the appropriate duration of training and the correlation of this protein with blood glucose, maybe endurance training can reduce the negative effect of diabetes.

Purpose: Sleep quality decreases with age, and as a result, sleep complaints are common in the elderly, especially for inactive people with Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between respiratory indices and sleep quality in active and inactive elderly women with Alzheimer's disease. Method: In this research, 24 elderly women with Alzheimer's disease (with an average age of 72.3±7.25 years, height 158.23±6.12 cm and weight 70.23±8.12 kg) voluntarily and after obtaining consent, they participated in two active (12 people) and inactive (12 people) groups. Respiratory indices were measured using a Micro Lab Spirometer. The Pittsburgh questionnaire was used to check sleep quality. Independent t-tests and Pearson's correlation coefficient were used to analyze the data. Results: The average score of sleep quality in the active group was significantly lower than the inactive group (p=0.013). Also, the parameters of expiratory volume with pressure in the first second (p=0.046), maximum voluntary ventilation (p=0.021), forced vital capacity (p=0.033), strong expiratory flow 25 to 75% in the active group was significantly higher than the inactive group. Conclusions: According to the results, it seems that sports activity can be an effective factor in improving the quality of sleep and the functioning of the respiratory system in patients with inactive Alzheimer's disease.