مطالب

Background : Beyond biological changes, ageing is often associated with degenerative and progressive changes in functional and physiological performance. Different types of exercise and rehabilitation method were introduced for resolving or preventing aging complications. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 8- week- dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (DNS) training on functional performance and quality of life in healthy elderly men. Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight old men were selected by convenience sampling manner and divided randomly in two groups of experimental (n=13, age: 65.8±4.3 years, height: 1.63±5.92 cm, weight: 69.1±7.4 kg) and control (n=15, age: 66.3±3.8 years, height: 1.64±4.89 cm, weight: 70.1± 6.3 kg). The experimental group received neuromuscular stabilization training for 8 weeks and 3 sessions for 1 hour in a clinic in Baghdad. Static balance (by functional reach test), dynamic balance (by time-up and go test), functional performance (by Berge test), and quality of life (by Leiden-Padua (LEIPAD e questionnaire) were measured before and after training. Data was analyzed by repeated measure ANOVA in SPSS software. P value was set at P ≤0.05. Results : The results showed that the intergroup interaction in the variables of functional performance (F=53.3, P =0.00), quality of life (F=65.04, P =0.00), static (F=106.7, P =0.00) and dynamic (F=26.99, P =0.00) balance was significant with the superiority of the DNS group. Conclusion: Postural control, functional performance and quality of life improved after training protocol. Therefore, DNS training can be used as a complementary method for rehabilitation of elderly.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in global home confinement and quarantine, leading to the vaccination of societies worldwide. However, some elite athletes have negative views toward vaccination. Aim: This study aimed to compare the lifestyle of vaccinated versus unvaccinated international elite athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: From March to October 2021, an online survey was conducted, including socio-individual information of athletes, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants (REAP-S), and the Petersburg Sleep Quality Questionnaire (PSQI). A total of 581 elite athletes from 4 continents (Europe, Asia, Africa, and America) and different countries, aged 18-35 years, were voluntarily recruited. Data analysis was performed using U-Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, with the level of significance set at alpha P <0.05. Results: The results indicated that there was a significant difference between the level of physical activity and eating behavior of vaccinated versus unvaccinated elite athletes ( P <0.001). However, no significant difference was found between the quality of sleep among vaccinated and unvaccinated elite athletes ( P =0.270). Conclusion: It was shown that, despite the unvaccinated status of some elite athletes (49.9%), their physical activity levels were higher than those of vaccinated elite athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the eating behavior of vaccinated elite athletes was better than that of unvaccinated elite athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic, but there was no significant difference in the quality of sleep between the groups.

Purpose: The activity of plasma liver enzymes is intensified under the influence of sports activities, which is affected by the duration, intensity, type and method of training. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a special endurance training session on the activity of serum alkaline phosphatase and aspartate aminotransferase liver enzymes in inactive young men. Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 16 young inactive men were purposefully selected and examined in two groups (experimental and control). The experimental group performed Bruce's protocol after preliminary warm-up. Blood samples were collected before the test, immediately after the test, 24 hours and 48 hours after the test from both groups at the same time, and the amount of serum ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) and AST (Aspartate Transaminase) enzymes were measured using an Auto analyzer. Statistical analysis of the data, independent T-test was used to compare the results of two groups and Bonferroni's post hoc test was used to determine the difference between different stages of sampling with a minimum significance level (P≥0.05). Results: The results of the independent T-test in the comparison between the groups showed that there is a significant difference between the two groups in the amount of ALP enzyme in the time intervals immediately after the activity (P≥0.020), but in the time intervals of 24 (P≥0.177) and 48 hours (P≥0.136), there is no significant difference between the two groups after the activity. The results of the independent T test did not show any significant changes in the amount of AST enzyme in any of the time intervals in the comparison between groups. Conclusion: Fatigue-inducing sports activity leads to an increase in the amount of enzymes, ALP, this increase can be a sign of damage to liver cells or heart muscle. Considering the role of recovery in liver damage, it seems that by considering enough rest time, it is possible to help improve the adaptation process while preventing the occurrence of muscle and liver damage