فصلنامه علوم پیراپزشکی و توانبخشی
سال دوازدهم شماره 2 (تابستان 1402)

Diastasis recti and structural changes in the abdominal muscles are among the important consequences of C-section delivery. Exercises have been proposed as a safe and pain-free solution to improve these symptoms. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to compare the effects of pilates exercises and core stability on diastasis recti and the structural characteristics of the abdominal muscles in primiparous women.

The current research is semi-experimental. A total of 20 primiparous mothers between the ages of 20 and 30 were included in the research based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. They were randomly divided into two groups of core stability exercises and pilates exercises. In the pre-examination stage, diastasis recti and the thickness of the rectus abdominis and transvers abdominis muscles were evaluated by ultrasound. After that, the subjects of the training groups performed their respective exercises for 8 weeks. The exercises were 3 sessions a week and each session lasted 45 to 60 minutes. After the end of 8 weeks of exercises, all research variables were examined once again in the post-test phase. Two-way analysis of variance method was used to statistically analyze the research findings at a significance level of p≤0.05.

The results of the two-way analysis of variance test showed that after 8 weeks of exercises, diastasis recti (p=0.001) and the thickness of the rectus abdominis (p=0.001) and transvers abdominis (p=0.021) muscles improved significantly in both training groups. Also, the results showed that in the post-test, there is no significant difference between the average of the study variables in the two training groups (p≥0.05).

Because pilates and core stability exercises have a significant effect on the recruitment the motor units of the central muscles of the body, they can increase the strength and coordination of the rectus and transverse abdominal muscles and, as a result, create stability in this area. Therefore, they can be suggested as suitable options for improving diastasis recti and the thickness of the abdominal muscles of primiparous women.

Impaired shoulder function and range of motion are important consequences of functional instability of the shoulder joint in overhead athletes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a period of neuromuscular training on range of motion and shoulder function in athletes with functional instability of the shoulder joint.The present study was performed quasi-experimentally with pre-test and post-test design. The statistical sample consisted of 30 girls aged 22 to 35 years who were selected purposefully and available based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and finally were randomly divided into two groups of control and training. All subjects participated in the research voluntarily after completing the consent form. In the pre-test stage, shoulder joint function was assessed by YBT–UQ test and also shoulder joint range of motion was assessed by goniometer. After the pre-test, the subjects in the exercise group performed a neuromuscular training program for 8 weeks and 3 sessions per week. At the end of 8 weeks of training, all the measurements that were performed in the pre-test stage were performed again in the post-test stage. Two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures was used to analyze the obtained data.Findings showed that neuromuscular exercises of the shoulder joint significantly increase the score of the upper limb function test of the subjects of the exercise group in all three directions, as well as significantly increase the range of motion of the shoulder joint in flexion, abduction, internal rotation and external rotation (p≤0.05). However, no significant difference was observed in the above variables between pre-test and post-test in the control group (p≥0.05). Also, the results showed that in the post-test, there is a significant difference between all the investigated variables between the two groups (p≤0.05).Neuromuscular training develops muscle coordination and strength due to its multifaceted approach. Improving the efficiency of the neuromuscular system increases the function and range of motion of the shoulder joint. Therefore, this training method can be used as a suitable option in the rehabilitation of athletes with functional shoulder instability.

Cardiovascular disease especially atherosclerosis is one of the leading causes of death in the world. One of the important mechanisms for the prevention and treatment of this disease is the reverse transfer of cholesterol. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of a cardiac rehabilitation course on some key factors in reverse cholesterol transfer including expression of (Liver X receptor gene; LXR) lipid profile and (Tumor necrosis factor; TNFα) serum level in coronary bypass patients.Twenty-four male subjects who underwent bypass surgery were divided into two equal groups of central stability training group and mobilization voluntarily groups. The experimental group performed aerobic resistance training for eight weeks (3 sessions per week) and the control group did not. Blood samples including TNFα factors, lipids, cholesterol and LXR gene were taken 48 hours before the start of the first training session and also 48 hours after the last training session while all subjects were fasting a blood sample was taken to evaluate the desired variables. LXR gene was measured by Real-Time-PCR. Independent and paired t-test and Shapiro-Wilk tests were used to analyze the data at a significant level of 0.05.Eight weeks of cardiac rehabilitation program led to an increase in HDL, a decrease in LDL cholesterol and αTNF, and an increase in the expression of the LXR gene in the experimental group compared to the control group.Cardiac rehabilitation by improving the lipid profile and increasing the expression of LXR gene has a great effect on increasing cholesterol transfer process and reducing inflammatory factors including TNFα. which has a positive effect on the prevention of atherosclerosis and ischemia.

Mental retardation is one of the most common mental disorders associated with impaired balance and impaired motor function. The aim of this study was to compare Braille tonic and yoga exercises on the level of balance and motor performance of educable mentally retarded girls.The population of this study was all of the mentally retarded girls of Mashhad City, and sample consisted of 45 educable mentally retarded girls, with mean age (11.34 ± 2.95 years), height (149± 6.91 cm) and weight (39.52± 6.13 kg), who were healthy physically and voluntarily participated in this research. The subjects were randomly divided into three equal experimental and control groups (n=12). The experimental groups had six weeks of Braille tonic and Yoga training with three sessions per week and each session lasted for 45-minutes. During this period, the control group did not perform any specific types of exercise. In the pre-test with Bonferroni post hoc test and post-test, the stork, Y test, and the stand-up and test were used for static, dynamic, and motor balance analyses, respectively. Data were analyzed through descriptive and analysis of covariance at the 0.05 level.The results within the group showed that Brytonic and yoga exercises improve children's static balance, dynamic balance and movement performance (P=0.001). Also, the inter-group results showed that static balance, dynamic balance and movement performance were significantly better in the yoga and Brytonic exercise group than the control group (P=0.001). However,  there was no significant difference between the effectiveness of yoga and Brytonic exercises in improving static and dynamic balance and movement performance (p>0.05) and motor function. It is recommended to use Braille tonic and yoga exercises in rehabilitation programs for mentally retarded students.Considering Brytonic and yoga exercises both balance and movement performance factors, it is suggested to use Brytonic and yoga exercises in the rehabilitation programs of intellectually disabled students.

Oxidative stress is one of the causes of fatigue and decreasing performance in athletes. Epidemiological studies have shown that antioxidant supplements reduce oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of Ajuga and Ertomol-Tendo supplements on balance and explosive power of soccer players.Thirty-nine soccerl players voluntarily participated in this study. The subjects were randomly divided into three groups of 13 people: Ajuga supplement, Ertomol-Tendo supplement and placebo. In the pre-test, at the first and 48 hours after the implementation of the training protocol balance and expolosive power were assessed. The subjects took the supplements for 4 weeks and at the end of the supplementation period, the post-test phase was conducted similar to the pre-test. Balance was measured using foot RSscan and expolosive power was measure using vertical jump instrument.The data were analyzed by the analysis of variance test with repeated measurements (P<0.05).Inspite that balance and expolosive power increased following using supplement, but the it was not significant (P>0.05). No significant differences was found between groups (P>0.05) in balance and expolosive power.It can be concluded that the use of Ajuga and Ertomol-Tendo supplements has no significant effect on balance and explosive power in youth soccer player

Mechanical factors such as increased weight on the chest wall and abdomen heightened demand for ventilation (respiration rate), respiratory muscle inefficiency, and decreased respiratory adaptation in obese people. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Motor Control Exercise (MCE) on body mass index and cardiorespiratory fitness of obese children.This research was semi-experimental with a pre-test and post-test design with a control group. A number of 30 obese children aged 8-12 years with a body mass index (BMI) of 19 to 23 in Mashhad, who had not participated in any regular physical activity program in the past two years, were selected as available and randomly assigned to two movement control training and control groups (Each group of 15 people). Cardiorespiratory endurance was measured through the 2-minute standing step test and breathing performance was measured through the number of breaths in one minute and the breath-holding test. The experimental group participated in the movement control training program for 8 weeks, 5 sessions per week and each session lasted 45-60 minutes. The control group received no intervention. The statistical method of mixed variance analysis was used to analyze the data at the P≤0.05 level.Weight, BMI and breathing rate in the training group were significantly reduced by 3.31%, 30.40% and 1.88%, respectively, compared to the control group (p=0.014, p=0.030 and p=0.017, respectively). Inspiratory breath holding and exhaling breath holding increased by 1.32% and 2.61% respectively in the training group compared to the control group, but they were not significant (p=0.11 and p=0.27, respectively). Cardiorespiratory endurance in the training group increased significantly by 7.17% compared to the control group (p=0.001). It is concluded that 8 weeks of motor control training leads to a significant improvement in cardiorespiratory endurance and breathing performance, as well as a significant reduction in weight and BMI in obese children aged 8-12 years and it is recommended that these exercises be included in the training program of these people.

Lumbar extension syndrome is one of the types of mechanical back pain. Repetitive movement or postures are one of the main causes, which makes problems and disorders in people. Various interventions have been mentioned to improve the symptoms of people suffering from back pain, however, limited studies have investigated lumbar extension syndrome and the effect of exercises on it. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the Effects of Eight Weeks Sahrmann Stabilization and Postural Restoration Institute Exercises (PRI) on Disability, Breathing Function, and Motor Control of Patients Afflicted by Lumbar Extension Syndrome.In this semi-experimental study, 22 participants with mechanical lumbar extension syndrome have been tested by a specialist and were selected as available, and after the description of the study process and the approval of the subjects, they entered the study. After that, they divided into two groups matching, Sahrmann stability (Mean ± SD age: 51.5±6.12 years, height: 168.7±4.7 cm and weight: 74.4±9.3 kg) and PRI (Mean ± SD age: 51.1±6.2 years, height: 168±2.2 cm and weight: 75.4±9.7 kg) groups. Each group did the exercises for eight weeks and three sessions a week. Each training session took 45 minutes. Degree of disability (the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale; QBPDS), breathing function (the Self Evaluation of Breathing Questionnaire; SEBQ ), and motor control (the Luomajoki test) were evaluated before and after the exercises. The data were analyzed using the statistical method of the correlated T test and analysis of covariance (p<0.05).The data shows that there are significant differences between the mean of breathing function of two groups of Sahrmann stability exercises (before 16±4.5 and after eight weeks 10±3.6); With PRI exercises (before 16.8±2.5 and after eight weeks 7.7±3.7) there are people with lumbar extension syndrome (p=0.023). Also, there are significant differences between the mean of motor control of the two groups of Sahrmann stability exercises (before 4.2±0.87 and after eight weeks 4.9±0.94); With PRI exercises (before 3.8±0.87 and after eight weeks 5.5±0.93) there are people with lumbar extension syndrome (p=0.004). However, there are not significant difference between the mean of disability of the two groups of Sahrmann stability exercises (before 55.2±13.8 and after eight weeks 30.2±13.2); With PRI exercises (before 55.9±12.7 and after eight weeks 27.5±12.9) there are no people with lumbar extension syndrome (p=0.389). Therefore, the PRI group (breathing function 54%; motor control 44%) improved more than the Sahrmann stability training group (breathing function 37%; motor control 16%).As can be seen, both Sahrmann stability and PRI exercises have good results on disability, breathing, and motor control in patients afflicted by lumbar extension syndrome, but due to the specificity of PRI exercises according to postural patterns and also the importance of the diaphragm as a vital muscle for local stability, PRI exercises can have better effects than Sahrmann stability exercises.

Postural deformities are more common in individuals with visual impairments than people with normal vision. The aim of the present study was to review the studies which have investigated the postural deformities and the effects of training programs in visually impaired individuals.

Science Direct, PubMed, and Google Scholar Databases for articles published in English language and Medlib, Sid, Noormags, Magiran, and Google scholar for articles published in Persian language as well as the reference lists of the relevant articles were systematically searched. Articles published in English language were searched using combinations of the following keyword groups: (1) posture, mal-alignment, body deformity; and (2) blindness, visual impairment; and (3) corrective exercise and training. The “AND” operator was used between the 2 or the 3 keyword groups, while the “OR” operator was used within each keyword group. The search period covered years from January 2000 to August 2022. The studies having assessed the postural deformities in visually impaired individuals or having investigated the training programs effects on these deformities were included in the study.

Twenty studies regarding the assessment of posture in individuals with visual impairments and nine studies regarding the effects of training programs on posture of these individuals matched the inclusion criteria of this systematic review. The results of reviewed studies supported the hypothesis that the postural deformities are more common in visually impaired individuals than people with normal vision. The postural deformities in head and neck, shoulder girdle, vertebral column, and lower extremities are usually observed in people with blindness or low vision. The results also showed that training programs could have a positive effect on the postural mal-alignments of this population.

The present review indicates that postural deformities (head and neck, shoulder girdle, vertebral column, and lower extremities deformities) are more common in visually impaired people than people without vision impairments. The results also shows the positive effects of training programs on the postural deformities of this population. Nevertheless, more research are needed to be done by employing more precise investigation tools, control group, longer training programs, and a larger sample size consisting of subjects that are all of the same age range, gender, vision impairment levels and onset, and daily physical activity levels.

Ankle sprain is the most common injury among athletes, often leading to ankle instability. Various training protocols have been implemented to treat ankle instability and improve the balance of athletes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to review the effect of exercise interventions on the balance of athletes with ankle instability.

A comprehensive electronic search in the scientific database of Google Scholar, ISC, SID, Magiran, Irandoc and Ricest with a time range of 2001-2021 and the keywords including balance, postural stability, Chronic instability, functional instability and ankle sprain were used. The present study is a systematic review Method (PRISMA).

18 articles were selected based on inclusion criteria. Exercise interventions, applied in 94.4 of the studies, have significantly improved balance in athletes with ankle instability. Combined exercises (Perform more than one type of exercise in the protocol) have a greater effect on improving balance than separate exercises.

It is possible that the reviewed training interventions, especially combination training, could become a major part of athletes' rehabilitation sessions. More research on combined exercises, women's and adolescents' sports in different genders and age groups could produce more valuable results.