Iranian Journal of Health And Physical Activity
Volume:2 Issue: 2, 2011

Ghrelin and obestatin are orexigenic/anorexigenic peptides secreted from the gastrointestinal tract. Obestatin, a 23 amino acid peptide, was recently discovered and isolated from rat stomach..

The aim of this study was to investigate how an anaerobic interval exercise would affect plasma obestatin and hormonal responses.

Twenty-five young female college students were assigned into control (19.5 ±0.27 yr, 163.25±0.62 cm, 58.81±1.96kg, 22.05±0.67 BMI, 39.07±2.8 ml/kg.min, n= 10) and Running-based anaerobic sprint test (RAST)(20±0.4yr, 161.88±0.78cm, 54.22±1.80kg, 20.66±0.58 BMI, 42.63±1.23 ml/kg.min, n=15) groups. Individuals in the training group performed 5 sets of Running-based Anaerobic Sprint Tests (RAST), each set consisting of 6×35 meter sprints. Intervals between each 35 meter sprint and set of 6 sprints were 10 seconds and 5 minutes respectively. Blood samples from overnight fast and luteal phase individuals from both groups were obtained pre-, and at specified intervals, post- 6 consecutive days of RAST exercise training. Plasma levels of obestatin, glucose, growth hormone, insulin, Cortisol, testos-terone, and DHEA-S were determined.

No significant changes in plasma obestatin levels were ob-served (

The gripping and pulling strength of the hands is essential to many sports such as rock climbing, wrestling, handball, and swimming. This research has aimed to study the relationship between specific anthropometric dimensions and the dominant hand strength in practiced female swimmers. In order to do that, 20 female swimmers of the ages of 11 to 17 who were the members of the board of Mashhad swimming team were subjected to finger's length measuring, using Visnapuu method. Five specific dimensions and 10 ratios (1D/ 2D, 1D/ 3D, 1D/ 4D, 1D/ 5D, 2D/ 3D, 2D/ 4D, 2D/ 5D, 3D/ 4D, 3D/ 5D, 4D/ 5D) were measured. A digital dynamometer was used to measure maximum hand strength. Pearson's correlation tests with the significance level of p

Physical activity is a known modifiable lifestyle means for reducing postmenopausal disease risks, but the relevant biological mechanisms are not well understood. Metabolic factors may be involved. In this study, we aimed at determining the effects of 8weeks of an aerobic training program on plasma levels of adiponectin and leptin in Postmenopausal middle-aged Women. For this purpose, twenty middle-aged healthy Women were selected and assigned in two equal groups of experimental and control based on their body fat percentage. The experimental group participated in 8weeks of aerobic training, 4 days a week in alteration days, at the 65-75 percent of maximum heart rate, but the control group remained sedentary. Blood samples were collected prior to and after the training program for all subjects and plasma adipokines levels were measured. Results showed a decrease in leptin concentrations but significant increase in adiponectin concentrations, following 8weeks of the aerobic training program (p

Agouti-related peptide is a neuropeptide produced in the arcuate nucleus of hypothalamus and has important role in central controlling of food intake and appetite. The purpose of the present study was to compare the effect of two types of exercises, aerobic and anaerobic, on plasma intensity of female students.Methodology and Procedures: Thirty female students of physical education were voluntary selected (Age= 22/73±1/97; Weight= 56/6±5/8 kg; Height= 162±4/57 and Body Mass Index (BMI) =17/48±1/73 kg/m². Then they were randomly divided into two experimental groups (15 aerobic and 15 anaerobic) and exercised for 4 weeks. Blood samples were taken in two periods (24 hours before exercise protocol and after the last session of exercise). Plasma AGRP values were measured according to ELISA method. There was a significant increase of Plasma AGRP concentration in two groups after 4 weeks of training. Also, there was no significant difference between the effect of cooper aerobic exercise and running based anaerobic sprint test (RAST) on Plasma AGRP concentration ratio. It seems that plasma AGRP increase could be associated with the increase of this peptide in hy-pothalamus and in response to the negative balance of energy produced by exercising for increasing appetite to compensate energy resources of testers’ body

Agouti-related peptide is a neuropeptide produced in the arcuate nucleus of hypothalamus and has important role in central controlling of food intake and appetite. The purpose of the present study was to compare the effect of two types of exercises, aerobic and anaerobic, on plasma intensity of female students.Methodology and Procedures: Thirty female students of physical education were voluntary selected (Age= 22/73±1/97; Weight= 56/6±5/8 kg; Height= 162±4/57 and Body Mass Index (BMI) =17/48±1/73 kg/m². Then they were randomly divided into two experimental groups (15 aerobic and 15 anaerobic) and exercised for 4 weeks. Blood samples were taken in two periods (24 hours before exercise protocol and after the last session of exercise). Plasma AGRP values were measured according to ELISA method. There was a significant increase of Plasma AGRP concentration in two groups after 4 weeks of training. Also, there was no significant difference between the effect of cooper aerobic exercise and running based anaerobic sprint test (RAST) on Plasma AGRP concentration ratio. It seems that plasma AGRP increase could be associated with the increase of this peptide in hy-pothalamus and in response to the negative balance of energy produced by exercising for increasing appetite to compensate energy resources of testers’ body.

This study was an attempt to provide a conceptual model for indentifying the main dimensions of “sport participation of adults with cerebral paralysis (CP)” and also to assess the importance of any of the identified factors. Therefore, first, considering the previous studies and the views of experts in this area, 15 influential variables were identified as affecting sport participation of adults with cerebral paralysis. Questionnaires were distributed to adults with cerebral paralysis for collecting the related data. Factor analysis was used to categorize these factors in the framework of main factors. For prioritizing the variables, another questionnaire including paired comparison tables was developed and the resulting data from this questionnaire were analyzed using GAHP approach to rank or prioritize the identified variables affecting sport participation of adults with cerebral palsy. The findings of this study provided a guideline for the authorities, coaches and teachers giving them a better understanding of the factors affecting the sport participation of adults with cerebral paralysis and the level of importance of any of these factors.

The purpose of this study was to compare sport injuries occurring in various parts of the body of elite male volleyball players participating in sport Olympiad of Iran universities. This study was descriptive and the sta-tistical society consisted of elite male volleyball players participating in sport Olympiad. The subjects consisted of 72 elite athletes with average age (24.61±2.28 yr), height (167.27±6.61 cm), weight (58.17±6.03 kg) and history of volleyball activities (8.43±2.98 yr). Data of occurred injuries in the above mentioned tournament were recorded by Fuller et al questionnaire. Data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics (p≤0.05) using SPSS-16 software (Chi – square test). Based on the results obtained in both training and match time, a significant correlation was observed between the kind of sport injuries and different parts of body (K2= 727.06, p = 0.001). The most vulnerable parts of body were upper limb (37.5%), and the most prevalent inju-ries were tendomuscular (45.7%). The most common injury was muscle spasms, (17.8%) overall and hand fin-gers (12.6%) were the most vulnerable parts of body. Thus, volleyball is so much superior risk professional volleyball players of tendomuscular injuries especially in upper limbs; such as fingers, knee and ankle injuries. Therefore, coaches and athletes should consider special training programs to strengthen the muscles of the body parts.

The impact of physical exercise as a metabolic and physical stressor on immune system and its re-lated function and secreted proteins has been well established. The purpose of the current study was to investi-gate the responses of mucosal immune parameters to an official soccer match in young soccer players. Twenty-two Iranian male young soccer players (21±2yr, and 51/1±3/3 ml/kg/minVO2max) volunteered in this study. Daily dietary has been recorded 48h before and 24h after the match. Un-stimulated saliva samples were collected before, immediately and 24 hours after the match. Data were analyzed by using an ANOVA (repeated measure) and a suitable following post hoc was performed. A significant was accepted at P< 0.05. salivary osmolality and IgA to osmolality ratio were significantly increased immediately after the match. There were no significant differences between other time points. An increase and decrease in cortisol concentration and saliva flow rate over time points were observed, respectively. There were no significant changes in the solute secretion rates over the sampling times.Discussion and The findings of the present study indicate that a single session of an official soccer match (90-minute) reduces the saliva secretion which in turn to resulted in a higher osmolality ratio and salivary cortisol. These later changes might suppress the mucosal immune activities, which may ultimately de-crease the soccer player's physical efficiency.

In the past twenty years great attention has been paid to the psychoanalytic and psychotherapeutic issues associated with physical activity. With respect to the increasing prevalence of mental disorders throughout society and the influence of physical activity on these disorders, particularly among ado-lescent girls who are the future mothers and builders of the country, this study has been carried out with the purpose of investigating the interactive role of physical activity and personal traits on the psychosocial devel-opment of female students. The present study is causative-comparative. A number of 75 young athlete female students with regular engagement in physical activities and 80 adolescent females with no engagement were selected. Instruments employed in this research were personal information questionnaire, Hawley’s Measures of Psychosocial Development (MPD), and Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI). Data were analyzed using in-dependent t tests and causative variance analysis using SPSS software. Results showed that athlete female students fare better in personality traits such as extroversion, stability and psychosocial development than non-athlete students and extrovert and/or stable athlete students enjoy a higher psychosocial development than non-athlete students (P

Low back pain is one of the most widespread pains. In addition to pain which is the main problem of the ill-ness, general health condition of the patients changes so that problems such as reduced physical function, pro-fessional and social inability, physiological stress and totally, reduced quality of life (QOL) arise. In this study, our goal was to evaluate the influence of combined therapeutic protocol (exercise therapy and massage) on QOL in a group of male patients suffering from chronic low back pain due to disc herniation. We conducted a semi-experimental study with two groups (experimental and control), each consisted of 15 male patients with average age of 41.6±4.98 years. Combined protocol was performed for eight weeks on the experimental group. Control group had no special activity during this period. SF-36 questionnaire was used to evaluate patient's QOL. Dependent and independent t tests (p≤0.05) were used for data analysis. Results showed that the combined protocol had a positive effect on the improvement of quality of life in both physical and mental aspects in the experimental group. Based on these results, therapeutic protocol can be applied to prevent mental-social disorders or even to improve QOL in patients suffering from chronic low back pain.

The effect of exercise on depression has long been of interest. Many studies have demonstrated antidepres-sant effect of exercise intervention. They support the belief that exercise has been proven effective in improv-ing depression. By reviewing the relevant published articles, the purpose of this paper is to discuss the possible causality for the effects of exercise on depression. The mechanisms mediating the beneficial effects of exercise on mental health are unknown, although several hypotheses have been put forward. There are many possible explanations to how exercise works to alleviate depression, with some research done on each possible theory. The hypotheses stated so far by scientists are either biological or psychological. In biological classification, biochemical hypotheses are the regulation of chemicals such as hormones in the body or those associated with changes in the nervous system. On the other side, psychological theories cover the possibility of mental differences caused by exercise. In this review article, as part one, the reader are provided with the possible explanation of biological aspects which have been suggested through the literature on antidepressant effects of physical activities and exercise. Among biological assortment which including the physiological and biochemical hypotheses, the put forward hypotheses of catecholamine, endorphin, brain blood flow, Hypothalamus- Pituitary- Adrenal Axis model (HPA), monoamine, and thermogenic/ Pyrogen hypotheses have been discussed. A model that postulates the interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors will be required to explain adequately the mechanisms underlying the effects of physical activity on mental health. Whatever, the reason for the mood enhancing effects of exercise is not necessarily the most important point. The point is that engaging in physical activity has very powerful anti-depressive effects. There may be a combination of these hypotheses that can better explain the causality of the antidepressant effect of exercise.

The purpose of the current study was to determine the relationship between occupational stress and mental health status of employees in Sport Sciences Research Center (SSRC). The research was a correlative survey. Due to the aims and content of this study, a questionnaire was selected as the best method to gather data. For this purpose, a research-made demographic (age, gender, marriage status and educational degree) question-naire, Goldberg’ mental health questionnaire (28 items) and occupational tress questionnaire (14 items) were used. The statistical population of the study (N=35) consisted of SSRC full-time (official, semi-official and contract) and part-time (PhD candidate students) employees. 31 subjects answered the questionnaires. As Kol-mogorov- Smirnov test showed that the distribution of data was normal, ANOVA, independent t-test and Pear-son correlation coefficient were employed to analyze the data.Results showed a reverse and significant relationship between occupational stress and mental health (r=-0.42, p=0.01). Also, there was no significant difference between occupational stress and mental health consi-dering gender, job area and educational degree. There was no significant difference between occupational stress and mental health of single and married employees. Also, there was no significant relationship between age and occupational stress and between age and mental health.