Annals of Applied Sport Science
Volume:3 Issue: 2, Summer 2015

A limited number of studies has been carried out concerning the combined effects of resistance training and saffron supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of circuit resistance training with Crocus sativus (saffron) supplementation on plasma viscosity and fibrinogen. For this purpose, 44 healthy male subjects, based on individual characteristics and after homogenization, were divided into four groups, including water-training (WT n=11), petal sweat–training (PST n=10), bottom part of flower-training (BFT n=11), and upper part of flower-training (UFT n=12). Resistance training consisted of 12 stations (each station for 30 seconds with 40% of one repetition maximum) for 2 weeks (5 sessions per week). Saffron in the amount of 500 mg was used twice daily, i.e. in the morning and immediately after exercise. Blood samples were taken before and 48 hours after the last exercise session and were analyzed for fibrinogen and plasma viscosity. Significant differences were observed between groups in plasma levels of fibrinogen (P=0.01). The post hoc test showed significant differences between the UFT and PST groups and the UFT and BFT groups (respectively, P=0.04 and P=0.014). In the post-test, plasma fibrinogen had significantly decreased in the WT (P=0.005), PWT (P=0.003), and UFT (P=0.001) groups compared with pre-test data (within group difference). Moreover, plasma viscosity was significantly changed among groups (F3, 37=3.52, P=0.024). The post hoc test showed significant differences between the UFT and WT groups (P=0.037). In post-test data, plasma viscosity had significantly decreased in the WT (P=0.015) and UFT (P<0.001) groups compared with pre-test data. The present results show that circuit resistance training with saffron supplements can reduce cardiovascular risk factors (fibrinogen and plasma viscosity).

This cross-sectional survey determined the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice about muscular reinforcement (MR) among judokas in the Republic of Benin as typical of a developing country. It also examined the relations between the levels of knowledge, attitude, and practice among these judokas. It was undertaken using a non-probabilistic and exhaustive sample of 79 judokas in the cities of Cotonou and Porto-Novo having a minimum rank of green belt. The levels of knowledge, attitude, and practice were assessed by a questionnaire that comprised 43 items. Information relating to the socio-demographic characteristics and judo practice of the participants were also acquired. The levels among the surveyed judokas were low for knowledge (62 78.5%), attitude (49 62.0%), and practice (49 62.0%). The level of knowledge was significantly associated with attitude and practice for MR (x2= 3.99 p = 0.04 Cramer’s V = 0.22). The association between the levels of attitude and that of practice was non-significant (χ2 = 0.29 p = 0.59). The judokas of developing countries like those in southern Benin would benefit from specific training and participation in more competitions to improve their practice regarding MR and their sports performance.

This study purposed to investigate the relationship between physical activity level and bone mineral density (BMD) in the elderly of Amirkola in northern Iran. This cross-sectional study was part of a proposal to assess the situation of the elderly in Amirkola (AHAP) (Amirkola Health and Ageing Project) conducted on 1113 elderly individuals (616 males and 497 females) in Amirkola city. Physical activity was measured using a standard questionnaire of physical activity in the elderly (Physical Activity Scale for Elderly). Mineral bone mass was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in the femur neck and lumbar spines, and vitamin D levels were measured in morning blood samples. T-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and linear regression tests were used to analyze data. The mean physical activity of women (118.6±55.5) was higher than that of men (110.3±71.1) (p=0.035). This study found a significant positive relationship between total physical activity and femur bone mineral density (p=0.001 and r=0.101), but this association was not significant in lumbar spines (p=0.597 and r=0.016), though bone mineral density increased in both areas with increased physical activity (p=0.098). A significant inverse relationship between age and physical activity (p=0.001) and between age and bone mineral density (p=0.001) was observed. Analyzing the influencing variables using the linear regression model indicated physical activity, age, and BMI had significant relationships with bone mineral density in the femur, but neither vitamin D nor calcium played a role. Given the positive correlation between bone mineral density and physical activity, it can be concluded that low intensity weight-bearing activities carried out in compliance with safety rules may be suitable for the elderly.

The objective of the present study was to comparatively analyze the clinical status of the lower limbs in healthy subjects and subjects with back pain. Forty three (43) male and female subjects with average age of 36.91± 3.97 were selected as the statistical sample of the study. This population was recognized intelligently by utilizing the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). Furthermore, the NMQ was used to designate 43 male and female subjects with average age of 37.88 ± 4.12 and similar anthropometric characteristics with the statistical population as the research control sample. In the next phase, tibial torsion and femoral torsion angles were measured using a goniometer. Foot typicality was designated using a foot arch index while intercondylar and intermalleolar distances were measured using a clinical caliper. The results depict that the size of the foot arch is steeper in people with back pains compared to those with flat foot arch (p<0.05). It also indicates that there is no significant correlation between the tibia, femur torsion, knee condition of the healthy subjects and subjects with back pain. Therefore, it is deduced that steep foot arch can be a key component in the generation of back pains.

This study examined the relationship between motor skill competence, and physical activity in 8–9 years-old girls (N=352). Locomotor and object control skill competence was assessed, using the Test of Gross Motor Development-2, and the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children was used to assess physical activity. Regression analysis revealed that locomotor proficiency accounted for 20% (P = 0.001) of variance associated with self-reported moderate to vigorous physical activity. The findings warrant future investigations that examine interventions that focus on locomotor skills to promote physical activity in girls.

The purpose of this study was to compare the participation in physical activity and computer games on the social development of students. The population of this research was made up entirely of male students from secondary schools in the city of Marivan (mean age of 13.5 years). Among them, 300 were selected purposively (150 athletes, 150 computer games players). In order to collect the information, Weitzman’s social development scale was used. For the statistical analysis of data, n independent t-test with a significance level (P < 0.05) was used. Overall, the findings of this study suggest that the physical activity group has a higher social development than computer games group.

Today, the role of government is considered so much precise regulations, foresight and initiative of the public sector in the economy can trigger market growth. But usually because the private sector activity is affected by interactions of the market and government, marketschr('39') development process is slow and governmental clubs have become a consumer of financial resources by their inefficient function and do not allow the private sector to carry out economic productive activities in a competitive environment. Under these conditions, privatization puts forward a clear and obvious solution. The study purpose is applied and data collection method is a descriptive survey. The study population consists of football managers, university professors of physical education and sports’ experts. In order to determine factorschr('39') priority, Mean Rank technique from AHP, TOPSIS, SAW ranking technique was used and software Excel and Expert choice were used to identify the challenges. According to the findings of the present study, the most important challenges are prioritizing, political-legal challenges, economic challenges, socio-cultural challenges and technological challenges. Privatization with no program and step was the most important legal and political challenge, lack of importance of sport in socio-economic development programschr('39') set was the most important socio-cultural challenge, non-realization of television broadcast as a source of income was the most important criterion of economic challenge and lack of facilities granted by the government to the private sector, such as electricity and gas was considered the most important criterion of technological challenge.

The purpose of this study was to determine the prioritization and comparison of communication skills as a selection criterion of Iranchr('39')s national table tennis coach from the sport elites perspectives. As this was a descriptive study, survey methodology was employed. The study population consisted of 100 table tennis sport elites of whom 80 subjects were randomly selected using the Morgan table. Questionnaires designed for the study consisted of 15 items. To determine the reliability of the questionnaire, Cronbach’s alpha was used. McLean and Zakrajsk model was used in examining communication skills as a selection criterion of Iran’s national table tennis coach. Results of this study indicate that there is no difference among the participants in prioritizing communication skills as a criterion (P>0.05).