Running

Introduction: Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) is among the most common injuries in distance runners. Thus, the present study investigated the effect of a special strengthening exercise program for abductor’s muscles according to NSCA protocol, on pain reduction and lower extremity function improvement among elite distance runners with ITBS. Materials and Methods: The subjects of the present study were 32 elite distance runners who were randomly divided into two groups of control and experimental (n=16/group). The experimental group performed the exercise program for 8 weeks; however, the control group followed their routine program. The pain was assessed by the Visual Analogue Scale of pain (VAS) and the lower extremity function was assessed by the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS). In the statistical procedure, the repeated-measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni test was applied to determine the within-group and between-groups differences of the study variables, and for assessing the stability level of protocols’ effect on the experimental group and comparing the stages, respectively. The significance level was considered 0.05, test power as 95%, and effect size as 0.7; SPSS was used for all data analyses. Results: The present study data indicated that the strengthening exercise program on hip abductor muscles caused a significant decrease in pain (P=0.0001). The lower extremity function manifested a significant improvement in the experimental group after 8 weeks of strengthening exercise protocol (P=0.0001); it was durable even 3 months after the end of the exercise program. Conclusion: Hip abductor muscle strengthening, based on NSCA protocol, can be an effective approach in reducing pain and improving lower extremity function in elite distance runners with ITBS.

Aim and background: The aim of this study was to investigate Kinematics and kinetics Symmetry of Lower Limbs during running at a constant speed. Methods: 28 Elite runner (age: 34.75±6.63years) participated in this study. Running at constant speed was conducted by each subject at 2/5 m.s-1 on treadmill while kinematic and kinetic data were captured at 150 Hz and 300 Hz, respectively. The peak of joint moments and flexion angles in sagittal plane were calculated. The normality and homogeneity of variances assumptions of the dependent variables was tested using Bartlett and Leven’s test. Independent t tests were conducted to examine the symmetry of hip, knee and ankle moments between dominant and non-dominant joints during stance phase of running (p<0.05). Results: results of the present study showed no significant difference exists between dominant and non-dominant lower joints regarding the peak moments of Hip, Knee and ankle in sagittal plane during stance phase (p>0.05) as well as between peak flexion angles during running. Conclusion: Symmetry exists in lower joints sagittal moments and flexion angle during running at the constant speed. According to the results dominant and non- dominant lower joints play propulsive and absorbent roles cooperatively.

Purpose: For most trainers, the relationship between training volume and intensity as key components is a very important and effective issue. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between two key components of exhausting running at Heart Rate Deflection Point (HRDP) in girls. Methods: A number of 40 girls of physical education of Mohaghegh Ardabili University were selected as subjects with an age range of 19 to 23 years. Then, they ran individually in four separate sessions with an intensity of 70, 80, 90 and 100% of heart rate breaking point with a minimum interval of 72 hours. Using non-linear regression, the relationship between exercise volume and intensity was analyzed. Results: The findings showed that the inverse relationship between the volume (as a dependent variable) and the intensity (as an independent variable) of exhausting running at the HRDP of young girls' follows the non-linear 2nd degree function. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, it can be said that the inverse relationship between the volume and the intensity of running is non-linear. The noteworthy point is that in this estimation, the training volume was fitted based on the intensity, the relevant equation, which has a practical aspect for sports science trainers and researchers. Heart rate, as an important physiological index available to all coaches, can easily estimate the running time of young girls using the fitted equation.