یوسف مقدس تبریزی

Background: This study addresses the challenge of enhancing selective attention in skilled badminton players, a critical cognitive skill for optimal performance, by investigating the combined effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and mindfulness training.Aim: The present study was conducted to investigated the effects of a tDCS-mindfulness program on selective attention in skilled badminton players.Materials and Methods: Thirty-six male badminton players (mean age= 23.78±3.09 years) were selected based on exclude and include criteria and randomly divided into three groups of 12, A-tDCS-Mindfulness, sham-tDCS-Mindfulness (five sessions), and control. The Edinburgh Hand Test was used to determine the dominant hemisphere of the brain. The Computerized Stroop Test was used to measure selective attention capacity. Nonparametric Wilcoxon, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were used.Results: The results showed that the within-group changes in both A-tDCS and sham-tDCS mindfulness groups, it was able to have a significant improvement on the Stroop test score and time of interference. In the comparison between groups effect, it was also found that there is a significant difference in time and score between the three groups, and respectively, the A-tDCS mindfulness, sham-tDCS mindfulness and the control group had the best performance. Based on the results of the present research, it was found that the presentation of A-tDCS mindfulness can be more effective on the time and score of selective attention of badminton players.Conclusion: Results suggest that the use of tDCS along with mindfulness can improve selective attention in badminton players.

Background: Players are under more pressure in soccer matches. In those conditions, they must use visual information to make better decisions. However, few studies have investigated such conditions of soccer players.Aim: The aim of the present study investigates the effect of under-pressure conditions on decision-making and visual search behavior of soccer players.Materials and Methods: Eighteen soccer players with a mean age of 14.5 (and SD ±1.5) from Tehran Youth Premier League took part in this study. Decision-making task included 60 images of 3 simulated soccer conditions on a monitor including neutral (no pressure), result pressure, and monitoring pressure. During all of these conditions, eye movements were assessed by an eye tracker device.Results: The results of repeated measures ANOVA test showed the speed and accuracy of decision making, the number of fixations and the mean duration of eye fixation were significantly affected in all three conditions. In addition, the results showed a significant reduction in decision-making speed in two conditions of result and monitoring pressures and a significant increase in decision accuracy and the mean number and duration of eye fixation in the two conditions of result and monitoring pressures compared to neutral pressure.Conclusion: Due to the changes in visual and speed-accuracy mechanism of decision making and the importance of these factors in the successful performance of soccer players, it is recommended that soccer coaches create psychological pressure conditions during training sessions, ask players to see with better concentration and attention, and to decide more quickly and accurately so that they can better overcome the challenges in competition environment.

Background: Both of transcranial direct current electrical stimulation (tDCS) and neuromuscular training (NMT) have used to relive motor deficits in neurological disease.Aim: We decided to investigate augmenting effect of tDCS and NMT to improve static and dynamic balance and gait parameter in autism spectrum disorder (ASD).Materials and Methods: 24 children with ASD aged 6-10 years old were randomly assigned to one of three groups: NMT+ sham, anodal tDCS, and NMT + tDCS. NMT consisted of 10 sessions motor training (each for 40 min). tDCS training was performed with 1.5 mA on left primary motor cortex for 20 min. Pre-test and post-test evaluations included static and dynamic balance and gait parameters (length and width of stepping and speed of gait).Results: Although improvement of variables were seen in all groups, but in post intervention comparison, combined group was better in static and dynamic balance and gait parameters than two other groups. NMT was more effective than tDCS only in dynamic balance.Conclusion: Our findings were indicated tDCS enhance NMT effect on neuromuscular function in ASD, so regarding the augmented effect in combination of NMT and tDCS, it can be considered in rehabilitation of motor deficits in these children.

Introduction: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of 6 weeks of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stability (DNS) training on performance (lower limb strength, flexibility, fall risk) and quality of life in the elderly. Materials and Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design. This research was performed on 30 elderly males, aged 60-70 years in Qom Province, Iran in 2021. The examined elderly were randomly divided into the experimental and control groups (n=15/group). Furthermore, the experimental group participated in three 45-minute weekly sessions of DNS training for 6 weeks. To collect the necessary information before and after applying the training protocol, tint tests, 30-second seat sitting test, sitting and delivery test, TUG test, and SF-36 questionnaire were used. The obtained data were analyzed using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) and Paired Samples t-test at a significance level of 0.05. Results: The ANCOVA results indicated a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in motor function, fall risk, quality of life, lower limb strength, and flexibility (P<0.05). The collected mean scores outlined that the experimental group performed better than the control group. Conclusion: Due to the effectiveness of DNS training on physical function and the very high importance of the elderly lifestyle, it is recommended that the provided training protocol be used for prevention and rehabilitation, increase the level of physical fitness and quality of life as a low-cost treatment, among the elderly.