Annals of Applied Sport Science
Volume:4 Issue: 4, Winter 2016

Actins are small globular filaments functioning in cell processes like muscle contraction, and stabilized to the sarcomeric Z- discs by actin binding proteins (actinins). One of the important gene coding for actin binding proteins in fast twitch fibers is alpha- actinin- 3 (ACTN3). In this research, we have conducted a gene profile study investigating the genotype and allele distributions of ACTN3 R577X polymorphism in Turkish professional hip- hop and latin dancers and compared them to non-dancers as a control group. 30 professional dancers and non-dancers were recruited for the study. A genotyping procedure was carried out by a newly introduced four-primer PCR methodology. For statistical analysis, the Chi-square test was used to compare data between the groups (p<0,05 evaluated as significant). Numbers and the percentages of dancers were 2 (7%), 21 (70%) and 7(23%) for RR, RX and XX genotypes, respectively. The same numbers and the percentages were 15 (50%), 8 (15%) and 7 (23%) for RR, RX and XX genotypes, respectively, for the controls. Allele numbers and percentages of the R allele were 38 (63%) and 25 (42%) for the control and dancers, respectively. For X allele, the respective number for control and dancers were 22 (37%) and 35 (58%). No significant difference was detected between the groups in the terms of genotypes and alleles. Only RX genotype was significantly different between dancers and non-dancers (p<0,05). The results of the present and the first study, associating professional dancers and ACTN3 R577X polymorphism, is suggesting that RX genotype may have an genetic advantage for the physical predisposition for dancing, at least in the terms of ACTN3 R577X polymorphism. Prospective studies with extended numbers of dancers focusing on the influence of ACTN3 R577X polymorphism are required for confirmation of these findings.

The aim of present study was to investigate whether food restriction combined with exercise training could attenuate the oxidative stress and promote angiogenesis in a rat model of heart failure. 50 male wistar rats weighing 250-300 g were randomly divided into 5 groups including: 1) sham; they were fed ad libitum food, n=10. 2) Heart failure group; 3) Exercise group; they run on a treadmill 5 days per week for 4 weeks, n=10. 4) Food restricted group; they were fed with 60% of their daily average food intake, n=10. 5) Food restricted plus exercise group; as well as feeding with 60% of their daily average food intake for 8 weeks and run on a treadmill 5 days for the 4 next weeks, n=10. Subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol (130 mg/kg) was used to induce experimental heart failure. Echocardiographic parameters were monitored. Plasma levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and prooxidant/ antioxidant balance (PAB), as oxidative parameters were measured. In continue gene expression of angiogenic factors such as hypoxia inducible factor-1a (HIF-1a), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) as well as histopathological examination were investigated. Isoproterenol-treated hearts showed lower functional indexes including LVEDd; Left Ventricular End Diastolic dimension (p<0.05), FS; Fractional Shortening (p<0.001), EF; Ejection Fraction, (p<0.001). In addition, significant increase in plasma levels of MDA (p<0.001) and PAB (p<0.001) were observed. Food restriction and exercise significantly improved all measured parameters. The protective role of food restriction and exercise training on myocardial damage was further confirmed by promoting the gene expression of angiogenic factors (p<0.001) in left ventricle and reducing the myocardial fibrosis (p<0.05). Our results suggest that combined food restriction with exercise training is superior to either therapy alone for improving functional indexes, strengthen balance of antioxidative defense system, as well as gene expression of angiogenic factors and decreasing myocardial fibrosis.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of endurance (ET), resistance (RT) and concurrent training (CT) on plasma levels of visfatin, insulin, glucose and insulin resistance of non-athlete men with Obesity. It was a semi-experimental study. Thirty six men [age: 21.48 (0.25), and BF%: 27.39 (0.52)], voluntarily participated in this study after public announcement in university. Main inclusion and exclusion criteria was healthy (no physical illness and inability), obesity [based on WHOchr('39')s definition body fat percentage (BF%) of over 25] and non-athlete (without regular training during week). They were randomly divided into three groups (n=12) for ET, RT and CT. For 8 weeks (3sessions/week), the candidates participated in ET (25-40 min at 65-85% of maximum heart rate), RT (5exercises, 6sets, intensity: 50-80% of one repetition maximum, volumes: 5, 8 and 12repetitions) and CT (one or a half-term ET and then RT with 3 sets). Blood samples were taken 48 h before the first training session and 48 h after the last training session. The ANCOVA was used for the comparison of the effect of three types of training. The BF% in ET was significantly less than that in RT (p<0.01), and in CT, it was less than that for both ET and RT (p<0.01). Plasma visfatin only, in CT was significantly less than that in RT (p<0.01). Plasma insulin levels in CT were significantly higher than that in ET and RT (p<0.01). Plasma glucose levels in CT were less than that in ET and RT, significantly (p<0.01). Insulin resistance only in CT was less than that in ET significantly (p<0.01). In general, the present study showed that maybe, CT have more effect on the body composition, glucose metabolism and insulin resistance adjustment, which can be effective in preventing obesity and adjusting adipocytokines such as visfatin.

Today, market orientation plays a vital role in determining customers’ needs and success of organizations. Market orientation has also influenced various organizations’ measures including innovation. Therefore the aim of this research is to study the role of market orientation in innovation of bodybuilding clubs of Golestan Province. The population of this study comprised all 170 managers of bodybuilding clubs of Golestan province and the sample size was determined based on Cochran formula and stratified random selection method (119 manager). Market orientation questionnaires of Ramayah et al. (2011) and innovation questionnaires of Carmen and Maria Jose (2008) were employed for collection of study data. Smart PLS was used to analyze data and identify the effects of research variables of structural equation modeling. Results revealed that competitor orientation is not effective on innovation of bodybuilding clubs, but the effect of coordination between tasks and customer orientation on innovation of bodybuilding clubs was significant. Concerning the results, it is suggested that the managers of bodybuilding clubs of Golestan province provide more innovation by improving and developing market orientation in their clubs.

Low back pain (LBP) is also one of the most common medical conditions in athletes. There is little doubt that patients with LBP use from their body differently than pain free individuals. The purpose of this review was to investigate changes in motor control which may be present in athletes with LBP. The search strategy for this review consisted of an electronic database search of full text in MEDLINE database. 28 studies met the eligibility criteria, most of which were cross-sectional in nature. The studies were analyzed separately according to the specific sports involved. The studies demonstrate that athletes with LBP exhibit a range of MCI in the trunk, lumbopelvic region and lower extremities. However, inconsistencies were apparent between the results. Athletes with LBP demonstrate MCI during functional and non-functional tasks, similar to non-athletes. More studies, especially large prospective studies which control for non-mechanical factors which may also differ among athletes with LBP are required to determine the relationship between LBP and MCI in athletes.

The present study investigated the effects of 8-weeks of core stability training on fundamental movement skills in children with low proficiency in both locomotor and object control skills. By using a semi-experimental research design. 30 elementary boy students (means age= 8.89 years, SD= 1.06) were recruited and organized in training (n= 15) and control group (n=15). Fundamental movement skills were measured before and after the training period using the test of gross motor development – 2nd (TGMD-2). In comparison with control group, results showed significant improvement in both locomotor (P<0.05) and object control (P<0.05) skills in training group. In conclusion, results suggest that core stability training may enhance locomotor and object control performances in children who have low proficiency in fundamental movement skills performance.

The present study attempted to investigate the emergence of especial skill in shooting with air gun at two skill levels (skilled, novice). The population studied here included all male and female shooters from the city of Semnan. The study was conducted on a sample of 40 shooters, consisting of two groups of women with the mean age of 21.33±2.26 and two groups of men with the mean age of 23.44±23.44, who displayed their shooting abilities with air guns from five points (8, 9, 10, 11, 12 meters) from the target. The test was conducted in 4 sets (with 15-minute rest intervals) each consisting of 5 blocks of 25 with 20 shots at each point (100 shots in all). The gap between each set was the resting time of 15 minutes. A significant difference was found between the actual and predictive scores in all groups (p<0.05): the differences found between actual and predictive scores were significant at P=0.012 for skilled male shooters, P=0.023 for novice male shooters, P=0.001 for skilled female shooters, and P=0.021 for novice female shooters. These findings of this study support the emergence of especial skill in all groups of air gun shooters.

Visual has always been recognized as one of the most important sensory systems involved in the implementation of many athletic skills because of the close and necessary relationship with performing the movements, and it is considered particularly important by specialists in learning and motor control. Today, in addition to assessing the key indices in athletic performance (physical, medical, psychological and nutritional evaluations), visual skills assessment is also held in great importance. In this regard, the present study aims to answer the question of whether the difference between the visual skills of athletes (team and individual) and non-athletes is significant. For this purpose, 85 subjects (44 non-athletes, 22 athletes in team sports, and 19 athletes in individual sports) participated in this study and were selected using purposive sampling. The research instrument was "sports vision tests of Wilson and Falkel (2004)". The psychometric properties of this test were studied and confirmed through the correlation between the referees and retest method. The results of the statistical analyses showed that there were significant differences between focusing (P<0.001), tracking (P<0.001), sequencing (p=0.009), eye-hand coordination (P<0.001), and vergence (P=0.015) of all-girl teams and individual sports athletes with non-athletes. Just as female individual and team sports athletes were better at focusing and tracking than non-athletes, individual sports athletes were better in vergence, team sports athletes were better in sequencing, and non-athletes were better in eye-hand coordination. However, in regards to visualization, no significant difference was observed between the three groups. According to the results, participation in sports activities, regardless of the type of activity, helps an individual to obtain better abilities in the visual system and its skills. Additionally, the role of visual skills in individual and team fields is different; therefore, due to the importance of vision, it is recommended that coaches consider special planning along with other motor capabilities.