Sport Sciences and Health Research

Background: Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) and electrotherapy have shown to help alleviating post-operation complications and affect gait kinematics and muscle strength.Aim: This case study aimed to manage the post-operative complications in a patient with investigate excessive ankle stiffness with kinetics, kinematics and Electromyography (EMG) approach.Materials and Methods: A 41-year-old female with post-operation complications including decreased right ankle range of motion (ROM) and strength underwent a 12-week of IASTM and Electrotherapy. Gait analysis was performed before and after the intervention.Results: The results showed notable improvements in ankle 3-dimensional (3D) ROM, power, moment, velocity, cadence, step length, ground reaction force (GRF) and decreased stiffness, muscles activity, single and double support time. Ankle dorsiflexion ROM was not notably increased during gait.Conclusion: Findings suggest that a 12-week intervention of IASTM and electrotherapy can improve gait mechanics and reduce muscle activity in a patient with excessive ankle stiffness.

Background: Exposure to high altitude causes significant stress in the functioning of cardiovascular and respiratory systems.Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR) and pulmonary volumes during the classic ascent of Damavand 5671 m peak.Materials and Methods: 14 healthy male climbers (age = 23.85±5.93 years, height = 175.5±5.91 cm, weight =71.35±8.20 kg) participated voluntarily in this study. BP, HR and lung volumes were measured in basic (2000 M), BC (3100 m) the first day, C1 (3650 m) the first day, BC (3100 m) the second day after the one-night stopover, C1 (3650 m) the second day, C2 (4100 m) the second day, C2 (4100 M) third day after the one-night stopover, C3 (5000 m) and, peak (5671 m). Data were compared by repeated measures test at the significant level of P≤0.05 and Bonferroni post hoc test.Results: The results of repeated measures analysis were significant for HR, systolic BP, diastolic BP and MVV (P<0.05), but not significant for FVC and FEV1 (P≥0.05). BP was high in the base camp and the first camp and gradually decreased. HR continued to increase significantly with increasing altitude. MVV increased with increasing altitude and is reduced after the one-night stopover in each height.Conclusion: It can be concluded that climbing with classic method increased the HR and decreased systolic and diastolic BP of climbers. It was able to induce adaptation in lung volumes of climbers.

Background: The physical fitness is essential for wrestlers to perform successfully. The Tabata Protocol can be appropriate to develop these physical qualities.Aim: This study aims to investigate the effects of high-intensity interval training using “Tabata  protocol” on the physical fitness of teenage wrestlers.Material and Methods: 16 participants were randomly assigned to two groups of Tabata training (n=8) and the control group (n=8). All mentioned variables were measured before and after 4 weeks of the intervention. Tabata training group performed Tabata protocol in 2- 3 sets of 8 exercises with 20 sec of training and 10 sec of rest. The control group kept up their normal training routine during the same time. Physical fitness components were measured. The collected data were statistically analyzed by an independent t-test at a significance level of P>0.05.Results: Wrestlers in both groups significantly increased physical fitness components except flexibility (P<0.05). Tabata training was significantly more efficient in endurance of core muscle (P= 0.019, ES= 0.490) and upper body strength (P= 0.001, ES= 0.490) than control group (P<0.05). Also, results showed that for leg explosive power, only Tabata training had a positive effect (P= 0.026, ES=0.541).Conclusions: Our results suggest that wrestlers after Tabata protocol interventions can obtain better physical fitness, and event time benefits with more efficient performance and time-efficient manner compared with control group.

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.

Background: Football players, in their pursuit of optimal physical and mental performance, frequently employ various recovery techniques. Among these, sleep emerges as a consistently highlighted and crucial element in athletes’ physical and cognitive performance.  Aim: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between sleep quality and mental toughness (MT), while concurrently exploring the relationship between MT and different football positions.Materials and Methods: A total of 473 Iranian football players, comprising 287 males and 186 females, were selected through a simple random sampling method by completing two questionnaires that assessed their sleep quality (PSQI) and MT (SMTQ-14).Results: The findings showed that athletes with higher subjective sleep quality and longer sleep duration demonstrated high levels of MT. Moreover, defenders and attackers exhibited the highest levels of MT compared to other playing positions. Notably, male football players reported higher sleep quality and MT compared to their female counterparts.Conclusion: This study focused on the relationship between sleep quality and MT among football players. The study revealed that both male and female football players with better sleep quality and longer sleep duration had higher MT, with males scoring higher overall. Moreover, defenders regardless of gender, exhibited the strongest MT.

Background: Assessment of spasticity and wheelchair skills performance is important in both clinical practice and research.Aim: The present study aimed to systematically review the psychometric properties (reliability and validity) of outcome measures used to assess spasticity and wheelchair skill tests in people with spinal cord injury.Materials and Methods: A search was conducted using terms through PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Related articles included measures of spinal cord injury patients published in English from 2010 to 2021.To determine the publication quality of studies COSMIN checklist was used.Results: A total of 2150 potentially eligible studies were retrieved from four databases. The remaining 20 full-text studies were retrieved for complete review. Finally, 12 studies involving a total of 658 participants were included in the systematic review.Conclusion: Ethical, safety, and psychological issues were considered during the test for people with disabilities. According to previous studies, the Spasticity Evaluation Tool has been suggested as a reliable tool for assessing spasticity in SCI subjects. However, due to the variety of tests and the elimination of selected tools, wheelchair skills tests cannot be recommended.

Background: Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) is a new neuro-modulatory technique.Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effect of a-tDCS on dynamic balance after exhaustion.Material and Methods: Fifteen endurance-trained men voluntarily attended five separate sessions. In the first session, Maximal aerobic speed (MAS) was measured. Then, the participants were randomly assigned to four different conditions: 1. Mental fatigue (MF)+a-tDCS, 2. MF+sham (s-tDCS), 3. a-tDCS, and 4. s-tDCS. In each session, after dynamic balance measurement, the participants were exposed to the conditions and received 20 min of anodal tDCS over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Then, the participants performed a submaximal endurance activity at 70% of MAS until exhaustion. Immediately after exhaustion, dynamic balance was measured again.Results: After exhaustion, the dynamic balance of the right leg under the a-tDCS condition was significantly higher than the MF+s-tDCS (P= 0.008). The dynamic balance significantly decreased from pre- to post-test in MF+s-tDCS and s-tDCS conditions (P= 0.0001). In the left leg, the dynamic balance under the a-tDCS condition was significantly higher than MF+s-tDCS (P= 0.025).Conclusions: Anodal stimulation of the DLPFC could be beneficial for the dynamic balance and may have a protective effect against the negative consequence of exhausting activity on the dynamic balance in endurance-trained men.

Background: Losing a limb can negatively impact balance and gait, leading to reduced quality of life.Aim: This study aimed to examine correlations between spatiotemporal gait and balance with scores of the Quality of Life questionnaire.Materials and Methods: 30 veterans with unilateral below-knee amputations underwent gait analysis to measure step length, stride length, stance time, cadence, velocity, and walking symmetry index by step length. Static balance was assessed via the center of pressure path length by Wii Balance Board during standing. The Timed Up and Go test evaluated dynamic balance. The QoL scores were recorded using the Quality of Life questionnaire for amputees, Trinity Amputation, and Prosthesis Experience Scales (TAPES). Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated between spatiotemporal of gait, balance scores, and TAPES domain outcomes.Results: Stride length (r=0.660), prosthetic step length (r=0.648) and intact step length (r=0.618) showed significant moderate positive correlations with psychosocial adjustment, while amputation limb stance time (r=-0.409) correlated weakly. Activity limitations negatively correlated with step/stride lengths (r range -0.781 to -0.784) and cadence (r=-0.538). Moreover, prosthesis satisfaction was associated with improved walking symmetry (r=0.445) and prosthetic stance time (r=0.388).Conclusion: Optimizing gait and balance in below-knee amputation can improve quality of life. Biomechanical factors should be targeted in rehab programs to enhance well-being.

Background: Housewives build a significant part of society. They play a key role in strengthening the foundation of the family and nurturing the next generation of any country, so it is very important to pay attention to mental health of this population.   Aim: This study investigated effects of a period of Hatha yoga-based mindfulness practice on distress tolerance and subjective wellbeing of housewives. Materials and Methods: Participants were 38 housewives between 31 to 52 years who were randomly divided into two experimental groups including face-to-face (i.e., presence on the grass, n=17) and online (via Sky room, n=21). A 6-week Hatha Yoga-based mindfulness training was held simultaneously in twelve sessions for both groups. Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS) and Keyes and Magyar-Moe’s Subjective Well-being Scale were used. Results: The results of analysis of covariance showed that all subscales of distress tolerance and subjective well-being of housewives in the face-to-face group were significantly higher than the online group. Moreover, the results of paired t-test showed that the means of post-test of all subscales of distress tolerance and subjective well-being of housewives were significantly higher than the means of pre-test. But in the online group, the means of pre-test and post-test did not differ significantly in all variables. Conclusion: Our findings emphasize that, in order to improve metacognitive processes, yoga-based mindfulness training in online method cannot replace face-to-face method.

Background: Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) functions as an evaluative instrument designed to assess traits associated with autism. Variances exist within the brain of individuals on the autism spectrum. Moreover, certain exercises have the potential to impact specific regions of the brain. Aim: This study aims to investigate how the program training of this study impact Autism—Spectrum Quotient. Materials and Methods: Forty-two children aged 7-10 years with ASD were recruited to participate in this study. These children were randomly divided into two groups: the control group (N=10, 7.80±1.35 years) and the experimental group (N=32, age: 8.16±1.16 years). The experimental group underwent an 8-week training program. The Autism Spectrum Quotient (ASQ) questionnaire was used to assess the participants' scores in the pretest and posttest. This questionnaire consists of five subscales: social skills, attention switching, attention to details, communication, and imagination, as well as a total score. Results: Based on the results, the program training had an impact on attention to detail (P=0.017) and social skills (P=0.057). However, there was no significant difference between the pretest and posttest scores for attention switching (P=0.096), communication (P=0.07), and imagination (P=0.161). Conclusion: Based on the results, we can conclude that the program had a small but significant effect in terms of quantity. Due to the specific and unique structure of the brain, it takes time to achieve a substantial impact.

Background: Research shows that there is a relationship between religion and spirituality with social behavior and mental health. Among the different religions, Muslims have the largest number in the world. Muslims pray five times a day. Aim: The purpose of this study was to review previous findings on the effect of Salat (Muslim prayer) on the mental and psychological health of people. Materials and Methods: More than 50 articles were reviewed and finally the most relevant articles were separated and analyzed. Results: The results indicate that there is a direct relationship between Salat and increasing the desire to live, hope, endurance of hardship, feeling happy and happiness, hope for recovery in patients. Also, prayer has an inverse relationship with anxiety and depression, despair, despair, dissatisfaction with life, discomfort with illness and problems. Conclusion: According to these findings, doctors and researchers in the health sector are expected to conduct new studies without religious and belief bias in order to understand and improve the mental and psychological conditions of patients, so that the mechanisms involved in these positive effects are revealed and possibly insight new in the process of improving people's mental and psychological conditions.

Background: Shoulder impingement syndrome is a common complication that causes pain and disability, functional limitations and reduced quality of life. This syndrome is usually seen in people who are involved in activities and sports involving rotating movements above the head, including bodybuilders. Meanwhile, corrective exercises have been considered as an intervention in the rehabilitation of the condition. Exercises based on National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) principles are known as one of the new methods in the rehabilitation and prevention of sports injuries.Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect and permanence of corrective exercises on pain intensity, functional disability and kinematic parameters of bodybuilders with shoulder impingement syndrome.Materials and Methods: In this semi-experimental research with a pre-test-post-test design, 20 male bodybuilders with shoulder impingement syndrome were randomly assigned in two groups; corrective exercises as the experimental group (n=10) and control group (n=10). Visual Analog Scale (VAS) questionnaire was used for pain intensity. Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire was used for functional disability. Kinovea software was used to kinematic parameters. The evaluations carried out during three stages: the pre-test, the first post-test (after 8 weeks) and the second post-test (after 12 weeks). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a significance level of 0.05 using SPSS version 20 software.Results: The findings showed that after 8 weeks of corrective exercises, there were significant changes in pain intensity and functional disability in the experimental group (P<0.05). Also, significant changes in shoulder biomechanical parameters during flexion, abduction, external rotation and internal rotation movements were observed between the two groups (P<0.05). Permanence of the exercises in the studied variables after 12 weeks showed a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05).Conclusion: According to the obtained results, it can be stated that a course of NASM exercises reduced shoulder pain, improved functional disability and improved kinematic parameters in male bodybuilders with shoulder impingement syndrome.