Journal of Asian Paralympic Movement (Humanistic Approach to Sport and Exercise Studies)

Over the past decade, research on artificial intelligence (AI) has expanded significantly, exploring its potential to enhance the quality of life for older adults. Therefore, the study aims to investigate the effect of a 4-week AI-generated Pilates training program on motor performance and fear of falling in older adults. This quasi-experimental study selected 30 female older adults aged 65 years and older, dividing them into two groups: one for experimental (N = 15) and another for control (N = 15).  The experimental groups had four weeks of AI-based intervention with three sessions per week. During this period, the control group engaged in the routine activities. The Timed Up and Go and the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) questionnaire were done as pre-posttest, respectively. The independent t-test was used for inferential statistics. Data analysis was conducted at a significance level of 95% with an alpha level less than or equal to 0.05. The findings showed that there was a significant difference between the two groups in the scores of the TUG test (p<0.03) and the FES-I questionnaire (p<0.001). By utilizing AI to develop personalized exercise programs, healthcare practitioners can improve motor performance and reduce the fear of falling in older adults. These findings highlight the potential of AI-driven rehabilitation strategies in geriatric care, emphasizing the need for further research to refine program parameters and extend their benefits to a broader aging population.  

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of yoga exercises on fatigue, balance, muscle strength and neurological disorders in women with multiple sclerosis. This was a semi-experimental study, for this purpose, pre and post-test study design (experimental group and control group) were used. 42 women with MS in Khomein city participated in this study and divided into two control (age: 33.3±6.2, height: 164.6±4.4, weight: 71.1± 7.3 and BMI: 26.4±2.9) and experimental group (age: 38.3±4.5, height: 160.8±7, weight: 68.5±14/6 and BMI: 26.4±4.8). The exercises were based on cognitive therapy based on mindfulness and yoga exercises, which was an 8-week program (3 sessions of 60 minutes per week). A quesinnaire, Berg balance test, Standing stork test, Tug, chair test and neurological disorders test were used to collect data. Kolmogorov Smirnov, dependent and independent t test, and Cohen's D test were used in the SPSSV25 software environment to analys data. Level of significant was 0.05. The findings of this study showed that yoga exercises leads to reduce fatigue level(P≤0.05), improve static and dynamic balance (P≤0.05), increase lower body muscle strength (P≤0.05) and leads to decrese neurological disorders (P≤0.05) in women with MSm(P≤0.05). In conclusion it can sugusted to trainers and MS patients' authorities to utilize this method in to minimiz balance problems, improve strength, endurance and also nurological disorders of affected individuals. Thi sapproach can be considered as a new method in their rehabilitation exercise program

This study examines the impact of visual occlusion training on motor performance and visual prediction in judokas. By limiting parts of the visual field, these exercises prompt athletes to focus more on remaining visual cues, enhancing predictive abilities. The research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of central and peripheral occlusion in judokas. The study employed an experimental design with a pre-post test and control group, involving 45 judokas aged 15-45. Results showed significant improvements in motor performance and visual prediction in both occlusion groups post-intervention. These findings suggest that visual occlusion training can be an effective tool for enhancing motor and predictive skills in athletes, contributing to the development of novel training programs. These results can assist coaches and athletes in improving performance.  

The study aimed to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise on self-esteem and mental health of adolescent girls in orphanages in Mashhad. This quasi-experimental study was a pretest-posttest with a control group. The participants included 30 adolescent girls from orphanages, aged 17 to 25, who voluntarily participated in the research. Aerobic exercises were performed for 8 weeks, three 45-minute sessions per week. Shapiro-Wilk, ANCOVA, and Sidak tests were used to analyze the data. The results showed that aerobic exercise has a significant effect on increasing self-esteem and improving mental health of adolescent girls in orphanages. These findings indicate that aerobic exercise as an effective intervention can help improve mental health and self-esteem in vulnerable groups such as adolescents in orphanages. The findings are also consistent with previous domestic and international research and emphasize the importance of including physical activity in adolescent support and empowerment programs.

purpose: This study aimed to assess the validity and reliability of the "Mental Talent Identification Questionnaire for Athletes with Disabilities." Method: This descriptive, cross-sectional survey encompassed 367 athletes (194 women and 173 men) participating in the December 2024 Talent Identification Festival organized by the Sport Federation for the Disabled Persons. Exploratory factor analysis utilizing the principal components approach with varimax rotation was conducted to evaluate validity, and Cronbach's alpha coefficient was applied to ascertain reliability. Findings: The KMO index was 0.872, and Bartlett's test yielded a significant result demonstrating the appropriateness of the data for factor analysis. Preliminary exploratory factor analysis identified six components with eigenvalues exceeding one, together accounting for 55% of the total variance. Five principal variables (self-confidence, resilience, Goal Setting, competitive motivation, and commitment) were kept based on factor loadings and statistical criteria. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the complete questionnaire was 0.807, indicating satisfactory reliability of the instrument.Conclusion:The findings demonstrate that the Mental Talent Identification Questionnaire for Athletes with Disabilities exhibits suitable psychometric features and can function as a valid and reliable tool for evaluating mental factors pertinent to talent identification in this demographic.  

Locomotive Syndrome (LS) is a prevalent condition among older adults. It significantly impacts the quality of life and increases the risk of falls, fractures, and functional decline. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of two exercise programs, Vivifrail and Locotra, on improving walking speed in elderly individuals with LS. Thirty elderly women aged 65 and older from the Ranginkamanesepid Day Care Center in Isfahan, Iran, participated in this randomized controlled trial, divided into two groups for an eight-week intervention, conducted three times a week. The primary outcome was the 6-meter walking time test, measured before and after the intervention. Both exercise programs demonstrated improvements in walking speed post-intervention; however, no statistically significant difference was found between the two groups. The Vivifrail group had a mean walking time post-test, while the Locotra group also showed improvement. The effect sizes indicated that both programs were effective but did not significantly outperform each other. Both Vivifrail and Locotra exercise programs are beneficial for enhancing walking speed in elderly individuals with LS, and given the lack of significant differences between the two interventions, healthcare providers may consider either program as a viable option for improving mobility in this population.

Athletes with disabilities navigate a landscape of unique challenges: limited infrastructure, scarce resources, financial uncertainty, and pervasive social barriers, all alongside the physical and mental demands of elite sport. These pressures can heighten vulnerability to burnout, anxiety, depression, and other psychological risks. Yet, narratives reveal remarkable resilience, determination, and adaptive coping strategies that emerge through lived experience. This paper highlights the critical role of managers, coaches, and technical staff in shaping environments that sustain mental health and performance. By leveraging emotional intelligence, participatory decision-making, ethical reasoning, and cognitive management during crises, leaders can foster cohesion, motivation, and psychological safety. We advocate embedding structured psychological-care protocols within managerial practices, supported by interdisciplinary collaboration with sport psychologists. Synthesizing empirical findings and first-hand accounts, this study presents actionable strategies for optimizing both competitive success and quality of life, emphasizing that holistic, informed management is pivotal to empowering elite athletes with disabilities while safeguarding their well-being.