فصلنامه طب توانبخشی
سال یازدهم شماره 3 (امرداد و شهریور 1401)

Background and Aims:

 Fasting during Ramadan causes changes in the body’s metabolism, but there are contradictory results regarding the effect of fasting on the psychological and physiological status of professional athletes. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of Ramadan fasting combined with regular aerobic exercise on cortisol levels and anxiety in female professional athletes.

Methods :

This applied study was performed with a pre-test-post-test design and a control group. The statistical population included all female professional athletes in Qom in 2019. By available sampling method, 50 people were selected and divided into experimental (n=25) and control (n=25) groups. The experimental group performed aerobic exercises according to the defined intensities and three sessions per week. The control group did not intervene. Data were collected using the State-Trait Anxiety Scale and cortisol was measured by blood sampling using a Tosoh 360-AIA device. Data were analyzed by independent and paired t-test and multivariate analysis of covariance. The significance level was considered 0.05. Ethical considerations were observed in this study.

Results :

The findings showed that Ramadan fasting program combined with regular aerobic exercise had a positive and significant effect on reducing total anxiety and its components, including trait anxiety and state anxiety in the experimental group. There was a significant difference between the mean scores of cortisol levels in the two groups in the post-test.

Conclusion:

 The research findings showed that fasting during Ramadan combined with regular aerobic exercise is effective in reducing anxiety and cortisol in athletes. The researcher suggests that in order to achieve more reliable results, the study should be performed on larger populations.

Background and Aims:

 Whole body vibration (WBV) is one of the relatively new interventions that is widely used in physiotherapy and sports physiotherapy. It is becoming more common due to its positive effects on the neuromuscular system. The WBV device produces oscillations and its intensity is determined based on the parameters of frequency, amplitude, and duration of vibration. According to the previous studies, some parameters of this device results in increased muscle activity, strength, and power. Muscle strength and power are the two most important factors in musculoskeletal efficiency. As a result, sports performance variables such as jump height and running speed are affected by WBV. According to previous studies, if the vibration is applied with appropriate parameters, it can be effective in improving the performance of individuals in activities such as jumping and running. Furthermore, it has been shown that frequency parameter is more important than other vibration parameters since it has a greater effect on musculoskeletal performance. As a result, this study aims to review the studies on the effects of various WBV frequencies on functional variables in sports activities.

Methods:

 A search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases to find studies about the effect of WBV frequencies on jumping and running.

Results:

 According to previous studies, the frequency of 30-50 Hz resulted in an immediate increase in countermovement jump and squat jump heights. The frequencies of 18-35 Hz and 40 Hz, when used for a long time, also increased the heights of countermovement and squat jumps, respectively. In a few studies, the 26 and 20-Hz frequencies improved the heights of horizontal, countermovement, and squat jumps. Moreover, 30-Hz frequency increased running speed and step length and reduced the running duration in a certain distance. The frequency of 45-Hz immediately reduced the step length and increased the step rate during running on a treadmill.

Conclusion:

 The 30-Hz frequency is the most common WBV frequency with a positive effect on jumping and running abilities. In both acute and chronic conditions, this frequency may have a positive impact on the kinetic and kinematic variables of jumping and running. As a result, this frequency is suggested for improving an individual's neuromuscular performance in sports activities.

Background and Aims :

Diastasis of Rectus Abdominis (DRA) is defined as the separation of two bulks of the Rectus Abdominis Muscle and is highly related to pregnancy and childbirth. Because of the lack of enough knowledge about DRA, the present study aimed to review the articles on the prevalence, risk factors, and consequences of DRA in women.

Methods:

 A search strategy using Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus from 2000 to 2021 was developed with keywords related to DRA and its prevalence, risk factors, consequences, and evaluation methods.

Results:

 Finally, 28 articles were selected. A literature review showed that the most common site for DRA is above the navel and its prevalence in pregnant women is 30-70%. Increasing maternal age and more deliveries increase the risk of DRA. However, factors, such as type of delivery, multiple births, and lack of exercise have also been suggested as risk factors. Consequences of DRA include changes in the appearance of protruding abdomen and decreased strength of the trunk muscles. Pelvic floor dysfunction and low back pain can also be associated with DRA.

Conclusion:

 A significant percentage of women experience DRA after childbirth. This condition can cause problems for the mother, such as pain, deformity, or decreased strength of the trunk muscles.

Background and Aims:

 Today, young children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have a variety of developmental disorders and problems, including developmental coordination disorder, anxiety, and sleep disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of neurofeedback combined with a selected exercise program on motor function, anxiety, and sleep in children with ADHD.

Methods:

 In the current study, 20 children aged 7 to 9 years with ADHD who had normal intelligence were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group underwent neurofeedback and physical activity training for 24 sessions of 45 minutes for one session. The experimental group was randomly divided into two groups, of whom five cases started their training sessions with neurofeedback and five cases started with physical activity. The control group performed their normal daily activities during this period. In the pre-test and post-test, the Bruininks-Oseretsky motor proficiency test was used to measure motor performance, the Child Behavior Checklist was used to measure anxiety, and the Child Sleep Habit Questionnaire was used to measure sleep habits. Data obtained from the present study were analyzed using analysis of covariance and SPSS v. 25 statistical software.

Results:

 The results showed that there was a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in the scores of motor function, anxiety, and sleep habits (P=0.001).

Conclusion:

 Combined exercises can be useful in improving motor function, anxiety, and sleep habits in children with ADHD.

Background and Aims :

The use of arch support foot orthoses is becoming quite widesprea in the management of foot pathologies. This study examined how lower limb joint angular velocities change with wearing arch support foot orthoses.

Methods:

 In this semi-experimental study, 20 healthy male volunteers (age: 34.2±8.9 years; height: 173.5±5.4 cm; mass: 76.3±13.5 kg; and BMI: 25.7±9.1 kg/m2) participated. The participants completed ten walking trials at a self-selected walking speed while 3-dimensional kinematic data of their ankle, knee, and hip joints were collected. Paired samples t-test was used for comparing two conditions: shod with no orthoses and shod with arch support foot orthoses.

Results :

The use of arch support foot orthoses decreased joint angular velocity for the hip extension (P=0.000) and ankle dorsiflexion (P=0.02) compared to walking without orthoses. However, results revealed no significant differences in knee joint angular velocity values between both walking conditions (P=0.16).

Conclusion :

We concluded that arch support foot orthoses can decrease ankle and hip joint angular velocities. The use of arch-support foot orthoses reduces the risk of overuse injuries by decreasing lower limb joint angular velocities.

Background and Aims :

Urinary incontinence (UI) has been known as one of the clinical manifestations of pelvic floor muscle (PFM) instability; however, limited research has been published on PFM function in patients with different types of UI. This study aimed to compare the PFM function of the continent women and women with Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and overactive bladder (OAB).

Methods :

This cross-sectional comparative study was performed on 30 women, 10 continents, 10 SUI, and 10 OAB, with a mean age of 42.67±4.77 years. PFM function was assessed using manual muscle testing, a perimeter, and surface electromyography. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software and the level of significance was considered as P≥0. 05.

Results :

There was no significant difference in the PFM function, strength, and electromyographic activity between SUI and OAB patients.  However, it decreased in both groups compared to the healthy group (P=0.001). Also, a strong correlation was found between clinical examination, a perimeter, and electromyography (r=0.82, P=0.0001).

Conclusion:

 This study revealed that the PFM function was impaired in both groups of women with SUI and OAB. Also, both manual examination and the perimeter can be used as clinical methods in evaluating PFM function.

Background and Aims :

This study investigated the relationship between shoulder rotation Range of Motion (ROM), shoulder rotation strength, and sports history with scapular dyskinesia in competitive boxers.

Methods:

 The present study was a descriptive correlational study performed on 60 male boxers (age: 24/01±3/90 years; weight: 74/61±6/73 kg; height: 176/97±6/06 cm; and sports history: 5/16±1/84 years) in Guilan. Scapular dyskinesia by lateral scapular slide test, shoulder rotation ROM using a manual goniometer, and shoulder rotation strength using a manual dynamometer were measured. Data were analyzed by Pearson and Spearman correlations and multiple regression analysis.

Results:

 There were significant correlations between sports history (p= 0.001; r=0.589), shoulder internal rotation ROM (p=0.040; r=-0.255), shoulder external rotation ROM (p=0.001; r=0.486), shoulder internal rotation strength (p= 0.009; r=0.334), and shoulder external rotation strength (p=0.001; r=-0.620) and scapular dyskinesia. Regression analysis showed that 63.1% of scapular dyskinesia changes were related to the independent variables mentioned in this study.

Conclusion:

 It can be concluded that there is a significant relationship between shoulder rotation ROM, shoulder rotation strength, sports history, and scapular dyskinesia. Therefore, by strengthening and improving the scapular stabilizing muscles and consequently improving the shoulder rotation strength and shoulder rotation ROM in boxers, scapular dyskinesia or its intensification can be prevented.

Background and Aims:

 Solitary movement plays have been reported to be effective in improving the primary aspects of Theory of Mind (ToM), and the design of interventions based on interpersonal interactions has been emphasized to influence the advanced aspects of ToM. To test this hypothesis, the effect of solitary and group purposeful movement plays on various aspects of ToM in girls aged eight years was compared.

Methods:

 In this quasi-experimental study with pre-test and post-test design, 40 girls with a mean age of 8.53 years from two elementary schools in Tehran were selected and randomly assigned to solitary play (n =13), group play (n = 12), and control (n = 15) groups after preliminary evaluations. The Test of Theory of Mind (Ghamrani et al., 2006) was completed immediately before and after an experimental period (eight weeks, 16 sessions of 60 minutes) and one month after the end of the intervention. The 3 (time) × 3 (group) mixed analysis of variance and related post hoc tests at a 95% confidence level were used to analyze the data.

Results:

 Recognition of emotions and pretense (ps < 0.001), understanding of false belief (ps <0.001), and total level of ToM (ps < 0.001) significantly improved in both experimental conditions, but second-order false belief and understanding of humor improved only in the group play condition (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the scores of the recognition of emotions and pretense (ps < 0.05), understanding of false belief (ps < 0.05), second-order false belief and understanding of humor (ps < 0.001), and the total level of ToM (ps < 0.001) in the play condition group were significantly higher than solitary play in the post-test and follow-up.

Conclusion:

 Although solitary movement plays improve the primary aspects of ToM, to facilitate the development of more advanced aspects, such as understanding of humor and second-order false belief, the use of group-based interactive-cooperative plays seems to be essential for eight-year-old girls.

Background and Aims:

 The cellular mechanisms preventing muscle atrophy after Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) regeneration are not well understood. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of resistance training combined with electrical muscle stimulation on serum levels of atrogin-1 and muscle RING finger-1 (MuRF1) in elite athletes following ACL surgery.

Methods:

 Among the elite athletes of Razavi Khorasan Province, 20 athletes voluntarily participated in the study and were divided into two groups (ten cases each), including 1) resistance training- electrical muscle stimulation (RT-EMS), and 2) resistance training (RT). The subjects in both groups performed 2-4 sets of resistance exercises (knee extension machine, squat, and knee flexion machines) at an intensity of 30-70% of ten repetitions for 12 weeks. The subjects in the RT-EMS group performed the exercises in combination with electrical stimulation at 35-70 Hz. Blood samples were collected from all subjects before and 48 hours after the last training session to measure atrogin-1 and MuRF1 levels. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and paired t-test were used to compare between- and within-group changes, respectively, and a P<0.05 was considered significant.

Results:

 The results showed that 12 weeks of resistance training- electrical muscle stimulation significantly decreased serum levels of atrogin 1 (P=0.013) and MuRF1 (P=0.008) in the post-test compared to the pre-test. In addition, the between-groups comparison showed a significant difference in atrogin 1 levels between the RT-EMS and RT groups (P=0.047).

Conclusion :

It can be suggested that resistance training in combination with electrical muscle stimulation is associated with lower levels of muscular atrophy proteins, such as atrogin-1 and MuRF1, and therefore, can be more effective than resistance training alone.

Background and Aims:

 Time-of-day is a factor that could affect balance performance. On the other hand, arousal fluctuates throughout the day. The aim of this study was to investigate the static balance performance prediction based on arousal and activation in circadian rhythm.

Methods:

 In the current study, 30 healthy subjects (age= 21± 0.5 years) participated. Static balance performance was measured three times: 10:00 am, 15:00 pm, and 8:00 pm. Arousal was recorded continuously during the performance of the balance task. A balance scoring test (BESS) and a Bioderm device were used to measure static balance and arousal. Repeated measures ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient, and regression analysis were used to analyze the data.

Results:

 Results indicated that balance performance was greater at 3:00 pm than at 8:00 pm and 10:00 am (P<0.05). The relationship between activation and static balance performance was significant (P<0.05), while no significant relationship was found between arousal and static balance performance. Also, the intensity of activation correlation and static balance performance was higher at 3:00 pm (P<0.05, r=-0.46). The regression results showed that activation was a significant predictor at three different times of the day.

Conclusion :

According to the results, these findings can provide evidence for differentiation between arousal and activation as separable aspects of the energetics of physiological and behavioral function. It also introduces activation as a factor that raises the static balance in the afternoon to morning and evening.

Background and Aims:

 Diabetes pathogenesis is driven by a complex network of pro-inflammatory cells and cytokines, of which interleukin-6 (IL-6) plays a key role in the chronic inflammation associated with type 2 diabetes. The use of supplements and plant extracts and exercise to treat type 2 diabetes is common today. The aim of this study was to evaluate the simultaneous effect of aerobic training and resveratrol supplementation on IL-6serum levels in women with type 2 diabetes.

Methods:

 This study was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design and a control group, in which 24 women with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to three equal groups of supplement (age 55.25±5.11 years), training+supplement  (400 mg resveratrol) (age 54.62±7.22 years), and control (age 52.25±8.60 years). The subjects practiced for six weeks and every week for three days for 40-60 min and at a heart rate of 45-65. Data analysis was performed using analysis of covariance and correlated t-test at the significant level of <0.05.

Results:

 The results showed that after the intervention, IL-6 serum levels in the aerobic training + supplement group (P=0.01) had a significant decrease compared to the supplement and control groups. Examination of intergroup changes shows that there was a significant difference in IL-6 levels between the training + supplement group and the supplement group (P=0.002, f=1.56). Also, the results of the Tukey post hoc test showed that there was a significant difference between the control group and the training + supplement group (P=0.003) and between the supplement group and the training+supplement group in IL-6 levels (P=0.031).

Conclusion:

 Based on the findings of the present study, it seems that concomitant use of resveratrol supplementation and aerobic training can reduce the levels of IL-6 and the supplement have anti-inflammatory and protective effects in women with type 2 diabetes.

Background and Aims:

 Dyslexia is a type of learning disorder that causes problems in reading. Children with dyslexia are affected by various problems, including executive functions. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between executive functions and components of reading (comprehension, speed, and accuracy).

Methods:

 In this study, 22 normal students and 22 dyslexic students between the age of eight and nine years participated in order to evaluate their executive function and reading skills. Diagnosis of dyslexia was determined by reading and dyslexia test (NEMA). To evaluate the components of reading (speed, accuracy, and comprehension), the comprehension text of the test was used. The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) for cognitive flexibility assessment, the Tower of London (TOL) test for the evaluation of planning, and the Color Trail Test (CTT) was used to evaluate attention transmission.

Results:

 The average score of dyslexic children in attention shifting, cognitive flexibility, planning, comprehension, speed, and reading accuracy was significantly lower than normal children (P<0.001). A significant correlation was observed between reading accuracy and speed and attention shifting (P<0.05). There was no significant correlation between reading components and other executive function factors (P<0.05).

Conclusion:

 Attention shifting, planning, cognitive flexibility, comprehension, speed, and accuracy of reading in dyslexic students are weaker than in normal students, and recovering these factors will lead to an overall improvement in reading. It seems that enhancing the ability of attention shifting in a particular way for students with a major weakness in reading speed or accuracy will be effective.