Effects of Hypoxic and Normoxic Training in Altitude on HIF-1α and PGC-1α Levels in Elite Endurance Runners

Introduction: Training at altitude or in a hypoxic environment has gained attention among athletes, coaches, and scientists to enhance sea-level performance. However, the efficacy of “Living-Low, Training-High, Training-Low” (LLTHTL) strategy to escalate the mechanisms associated with enhancing performance in the human athletes is still unknown. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of the LLTHTL on Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) and peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor-Gamma Coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1α) levels in elite endurance runners. Methods: The study has a crossover design in University laboratory. Eight elite male runners (Mean±SD age: 24.50±3.96 years; Mean±SD height: 179.75±4.62 cm; Mean±SD body mass: 67.37±3.42 kg; Mean±SD body mass index: 20.85±1.11 kg/m²) took part in the research. After 4 weeks of Living-Low (LL), the athletes performed 4 weeks Training-High (TH) and then, 3 weeks training-low (TL). Main Outcome Measures: Anthropometric parameters, time trial (1500 m), PGC-1α, and HIF-1α levels were measured in four different time points: pre-LL, post-LL, post-TH, and post-TL. Results: There were no significant differences between the 4 time points for body mass and body mass index (P>0.05). The time trial was improved significantly (p <0.001) at post-TH as well as post-TL compared with the pre-LL and post-LL. TH decreased HIF-1α level but did not affect PGC-1α. Besides, TL increased both HIF-1α and PGC-1α. Conclusion: Training at altitude reduces HIF-1α and training at sea-level increased PGC-1α and HIF-1α levels. Both types of training induced an improvement in the time trial. Athletes and coaches seek advice on the effective training strategy to enhance performance at different altitudes.

Resilience and Emotional Reactions to Failure Mediated by Self-compassion and Emotion Regulation in Martial Artists

Introduction: The present study aimed to examine a proposed model for the relationship between resilience and emotional reactions to failure, mediated by self-compassion and Emotion Regulation (ER) among martial artists. Materials and Methods: A total of 286 athletes (191 males & 95 females; Mean±SD age: 20.98±3.30 years) from different disciplines of martial arts (taekwondo, karate, Judo, & wushu) engaged in league championship participated in the study. Athletes completed the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ), the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), and the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ). The proposed model was evaluated using structural equation modeling. Results: The obtained results revealed that resilience has direct and indirect effects on emotional reactions to failure. Furthermore, self-compassion and maladaptive ER play a partial negative mediating role between resilience and emotional reactions to failure. However, the mediating role of adaptive ER was not significant. Conclusion: The study data predicted negative emotional reactions to failure based on resilience, mediated by self-compassion and ER among martial artists; thus, these data indicate the necessity of paying attention to the development of resilience in martial artists. This method emphasizes self-compassion and the reduction of maladaptive ER for better recovery of failure and reduces its effects.

Effects of Aerobic Exercises on Patients With Coronary Artery Disease

Introduction: Prescribing the Adrenergic beta-Antagonists is very common in treating cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of aerobic training in patients with coronary artery disease, prescribed two different types of beta-blockers (selective and non- selective) on the patient's lipid profile (Lipoproteins) and FBS (Blood Glucose). Materials and Methods: Sixty patients with coronary artery disease, aged 45-65 years, were compared in two groups of selective (n=36) and non-selective (n=24) users of beta-blockers. The training program consisted of 8 weeks of aerobic exercise on the treadmill (3 sessions per week, about 50 minutes per session, with an intensity of 40% to 60% of the heart rate reserve). Each study patient’s lipid profile and FBS level were obtained before the onset of the study and after the end of the intervention. The collected data were analyzed using repeated-measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Results: In the selective group, lipid profile and FBS did not significantly change. In the non-selective group, FBS and triglyceride levels were significantly reduced after the intervention; however, HDL, LDL, and total cholesterol levels were not significantly changed (P>0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that aerobic training in patients with CAD who used non-selective beta-blockers has more positive effects.

Comparing the Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Neck Between the Teachers of Physical Education and Other Majors in High Schools of Tehran City, Iran

Introduction: Musculoskeletal Disorders (MDs) largely contribute to occupational diseases in the workplace. Prevention from these disorders requires their evaluation in different occupations. This study aimed to compare the MDs of the neck between the teachers of Physical Education (PE) and those of the other majors in the high schools of Tehran City, Iran. Methods: The study sample included 180 teachers of mathematics, PE, and the religion and lifestyle in the high schools of Tehran (with the Mean±SD age of 42.11±6.65 years, and the Mean±SD weight of 72.28±12.98 kg). The participants were selected from 19 districts of the Tehran Departments of Education using multistage cluster sampling. The standard Nordic questionnaire was administered to investigate MDs among the teachers. The obtained data were analyzed with the Chi-square test to compare the MDs of the neck between the three groups of teachers. Results: A significant relationship was observed between the neck problems of the female (P=0.016) and male (P=0.017) PE teachers and the other teachers. Moreover, the neck problems were associated with the teaching experience (P=0.024) and teaching major (P=0.004). Conclusion: Based on the results, it seems that regular exercise can reduce the developing risk of MDs in the neck. Thus, this study recommends the performance of regular exercise and the correction of job-related postures to all teachers.

Effect of a Four-week Core Stability Training Program on the Kinetic Parameters in Athletes With Functional Ankle Instability During Single-leg Drop Landing

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the effect of a 4-week core stability training program on landing kinetic parameters in athletes with functional ankle instability during a single-leg drop landing exercise. Methods: This study used a pre-post quasi-experimental design and was conducted in the biomechanics laboratory. A total number of 24 athletes with functional ankle instability participated in two experimental (n=12) and control (n=12) groups. The experimental group performed core stability training for 4 weeks. The kinetic variables (maximum vertical Ground-Reaction Force [GRF], maximum shear GRF, and time to peak vertical GRF) were measured with force plate at the frequency of 400 Hz, in the pre-test and post-test. The obtained data were compared using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) and multivariate analysis of covariance MANCOVA in SPSS V. 18. Results: In the experimental group, all variables significantly differ between the pre-test and post-test. Also, the ANCOVA and MANCOVA indicated significant differences between the experimental and control groups in all variables. Conclusion: The results indicated that the core stability training improved the kinetic parameters of landing in people with functional ankle instability; thus, it can reduce the re-injury risk of the ankle.

Effects of Rhythmic and Simple Auditory Stimulations on Learning the Timing of Sequential Motor Task in Children With DCD

Introduction: Children and adolescents with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) usually fail to understand spatial awareness and motor timing. The present study assessed Rhythmic Auditory Stimulations (RAS) and Simple Auditory Stimulations (SAS) to facilitate the learning of timing in sequential motor task and recorded the results of their relative and absolute timing errors. Materials and Methods: 56 male students aged 9-12 years with DCD in Neyshabur city were selected by diagnosing with the following tools: Teacher Motor Inventory, Parental Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire, Movement Assessment Battery for Children-Second (MABC-2 movement test), spatial-visual memory assessment, intelligence assessment, RT test, and biopsychological health status evaluation. Then, they were divided into RAS, SAS, control group 1 (visual), and control group 2. Moreover, a pretest score was performed. Next, the training protocol was presented in 10 blocks of 5 attempts and the acquisition test was performed. Finally, the retention and transfer tests were performed after 48 hours and 10 minutes, respectively. Results: Based on the obtained results, a significant difference was observed between the visual stimulation group and the RAS and SAS groups in relative and absolute timing components (P≤0.05). However, no significant difference was reported between the rhythmic, SAS, and visual-auditory stimulation groups in relative and absolute timing variables (P˃0.05). Conclusion: Finally, no significant difference was observed between the RAS and simple stimulations although the graphs displayed the effect of the first stimulation more than that of the second one.

Effects of A 12-Week Rebound Therapy Exercise on Energy Consumption and Body Mass Index in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury

Introduction: Energy Consumption (EC) and Body Mass Index (BMI) are the major complications associated with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), which can be improved by exercise rehabilitation. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of using rebound therapy (exercise on a trampoline) on EC and BMI in individuals with SCI. Materials and Methods: Sixteen individuals with SCI (ASIA classification: A=6, B=6, C=2, D=2) were selected and randomly divided into two groups of experimental (rebound exercise) and control. The experimental group performed the exercise program by a modified trampoline for 12 weeks (10-30 minutes; 3 sessions a week). EC was measured by the Physiological Cost Index (PCI) and BMI was calculated by standard formula before and after the exercise intervention. Finally, the obtained data were analyzed by Repeated-Measures Analysis of Variance (RM-ANOVA) in SPSS. Results: The results of RM-ANOVA revealed significant interaction in both criteria (P<0.01). In other words, the experimental group changes were substantial, compared to that of the control group. Conclusion: The collected results indicated that rebound therapy could, in effect, improve the SCI individuals’ EC and BMI. Furthermore, it was suggested that rebound exercise can be a useful sports rehabilitation method for patients with SCI.

The Effects of Music Intensity on Performance and Cardiovascular Responses in Athletes

Introduction: The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of different musical intensities on performance and cardiovascular responses after incremental exercise in male athletes. Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental study with a cross-over design, 15 male athletes were voluntarily selected. The study subjects performed Bruce protocol, along with listening to progressive music, slow music, and without music until exhaustion. Results: This study indicated that systolic and diastolic blood pressure, maximum oxygen consumption, maximum heart rate, and time to exhaustion insignificantly decreased while listening to slow music, compared to the no music (P=0.134, P=0.993, P=0.999, P=0.160, P=0.819, respectively). Furthermore, while listening to progressive music, compared to no music, the systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as maximum heart rate insignificantly increased (P=0.735, P=0.999, P=0.496, respectively); the maximum oxygen consumption and the time of exhaustion significantly increased in the study subjects (P=0.043, P=0.008 respectively). Moreover, while listening to progressive music, compared to slow music, the systolic blood pressure, maximum oxygen consumption, maximum heart rate, and the time of exhaustion significantly increased (P=0.004, P=0.009, P=0.002, P=0.001 respectively); however, diastolic blood pressure presented an insignificant decrease (P=0.253). Conclusion: The obtained findings revealed that listening to progressive music can affect physiological factors and performance during exercising. It increases the athlete’s motivation and postpones the time to exhaustion to continue exercising; however, listening to slow music creates a state of relaxation during exercise and reduces heart rate. As a result, individuals with hypertension can decline their blood pressure during endurance exercise by listening to soft music.

Effects of Hip Muscle Resistance Training With and Without Feedback on Trunk, Pelvis, and Lower Extremity Motions

Introduction: The present study aimed to compare hip muscle resistance training with and without feedback on trunk, pelvis, and lower extremity motions in frontal and sagittal planes among active females with dynamic valgus. Materials and Methods: Twenty-Nine active females (Mean±SD age: 22.8±2.4 years, height: 1.70±0.6 m, weight: 69±7.1 kg) were randomly assigned to a hip muscle resistance training with feedback group (n=15) or a hip muscle resistance training without feedback group (n=14). Both training programs lasted 6 weeks (3 sessions/week). The peak angles of lateral trunk flexion, contralateral pelvic drop, hip flexion, knee flexion, and valgus during single-leg drop landing and single-leg vertical drop jump were assessed in the research participants at baseline and 6 weeks post-training. Unipodal functional screening tests were captured with two standard digital video cameras. Results: After 6 weeks, significant differences were observed in knee valgus and lateral trunk flexion, contralateral pelvic drop, and knee flexion angles, i.e., compared between hip muscle resistance training with feedback and hip muscle resistance training without feedback (P<0.05), except for non-dominant leg hip flexion in single-leg vertical drop jump (P>0.05). Conclusion: In the explored active females with dynamic valgus, hip muscle resistance training with feedback seems to be better at improving trunk, pelvis, and lower extremity motions in frontal and sagittal planes, compared to hip muscle resistance training without feedback; however, no significant difference was observed concerning hip flexion during single-leg vertical drop jump between the study groups.

The Effects of School-based Physical Exercise With Different Cognitive Loads on Executive Functions

Introduction: The present study aimed to compare the effects of 3 school-based physical exercises with different levels of cognitive engagement on executive functions. Materials and Methods: In total, 47 students aged 13-14 years were randomly divided into 3 groups, as follows: the Integrated Physical and Cognitive (IPC) exercise, peer physical exercise group (with the same physical challenge), and control group (the routine physical education program). A Continuous Performance Test (CPT), the N-back test, and the Stroop test were used to evaluate executive functions in pretest and posttest. Results: The obtained results indicated that the IPC group significantly improved more than the other groups on the executive functions. Accordingly, physical exercise with a higher cognitive load benefitted both speed and accuracy on cognitive tasks significantly more than the same physical activity alone. Conclusion: Therefore, in the integrated physical and cognitive exercise, the cognitive and physiological effects of this training style interact with each other; therefore, their beneficial effects can be gradually increased, while interventions that only focus on the physical dimension would be less effective in promoting cognitive functions.