Research in Sport Medicine and Technology

An Adaptive Closed-loop Control Based Machine Learning For Rehabilitation Parkinson’s Patients

Saeed Mollahoseini paghale

Background and Aims: Controlling hand tremors in neurological disorders like Parkinson's has gotten a lot of attention in recent decades. The number of theories about closed-loop deep brain stimulation is rapidly growing. The goal of this work is to offer a machine learning-based automated closed loop system for the rehabilitation of Parkinson's patients with hand tremor symptoms.
Materials and Methods: In the current study, vibration was simulated using a mathematical model that included a muscle model, basal ganglia, cortex, and supplementary motor area. To manage hand tremor, the non-integer PID proportional controller, as well as the intelligent Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) algorithm as a subset of reinforcement learning, are employed to adapt the coefficients.
Results: One of the advantages of the proposed method, aside from reducing hand tremor and automatic learning to use at various levels of the disease, which has yielded acceptable results when compared to other control methods, is its practical implementation in the real world due to the simplicity of the controller. The automatic adjustment of artificial intelligence network coefficients in the presented strategy (PPO) makes it simple to create intelligent system.
Conclusion: The proposed intelligent system significantly reduces the side effects of continuous brain stimulation in the open-loop manner stimulation, in addition to optimizing output signals such as hand tremor compared to other controllers and being usable for all levels of the disease due to its adaptability.

Effects Of 10-Session Dual Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (TDCS) On Professional Swimmers Performance, Mental Toughness And Perceived Exertion

Behrouz Abdoli

Aim: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is one of the newest methods in order to improve the athletic performance and mental preparation of professional athletes. In this study, we investigated the effects of 10-session unihemispheric concurrent dual-site anodal-tDCS (a-tDCS) of the primary motor cortex (M1) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), on swimming performance, mental toughness (MT) and perceived exertion.
Methods: 20 male professional swimmers (Age: 19.00±2.86 yrs) were randomly divided into tDCS (n=10) and sham (n=10) groups. On the first day, the Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ), next day, the 100-meter freestyle swimming performance test, and the rate of perceived exertion scale (RPE) were evaluated as pre-tests. From the third day, 10 sessions of tDCS were applied, each session a current of 2mA for 20 min, half an hour after the usual swimming exercise, three days a week. 48 hrs following 10^th session of tDCS, evaluations were repeated. ANCOVA was used for statistical analysis.
Result: After 10 sessions of tDCS, swimming performance improved significantly; The total MT score increased significantly and no significant change was observed in RPE.
Conclusion: Based on this, multi-session tDCS combined with regular training is recommended to improve swimmers performance and psychological aspects that could be considered as a brain conditioning method to increase mental toughness and sports performance.

Effects Of Quadriceps Muscle Fatigue On Electromyography Activity Of Lower Limb Muscles During Lifting Load

Mehrdad Anbarian

Background and Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of quadriceps muscle fatigue on electromyographic activity of selected lower limb muscles during lifting loads using different techniques.
Methods: Surface electromyography activity of the rectus femoris, vastus latralis, vastus medialis, biceps femoris, semitendinous, gastrocnemius medialis and tibialis anterior muscles of 20 able-bodied women were recorded before and after the quadriceps muscle fatigue using leg-press movement, squat, stoop and strudel techniques with 20% of body weight. Analysis of Variance with repeated measures was used for data analyses (p<0.05).
Results: After fatigue when lifting the load, the activity of the rectus femoris, vastus medialis, biceps femoris and gastrocnemius medialis in squat and stoop techniques was significantly different compared to before fatigue condition. But no significant difference was observed between the activity of any of the muscles before and after fatigue in the straddle method.
Conclusion: According to the results, it seems that when quadriceps muscle fatigue, the use of straddle technique to lift the load is more appropriate.

The Effect Of Foot Arch On The Stability And Movement Performance Of 18-25 Years Old Female Students

Rasoul Yaali

Aim: Different postural stability and functional movements may play an important role in secondary injuries in people with flexible flat feet compared to people with normal feet. However, the difference between static and dynamic stability and functional movements of people with and without flexible flatfeet has not been investigated. Therefore, the current study was conducted with the aim of comparing static and dynamic stability and functional movements of subjects with and without flexible flatfeet and examined the relationship between functional movements and static and dynamic stability.
Methods: In the cross-sectional study, 96 subjects after evaluating the medial longitudinal arch of the foot with navicular drop test were divided into two groups, flexible flat feet group (n=25) and normal feet group (n=71). Functional performance using functional movements screening test, static stability using the Sharpened Romberg balance test, dynamic stability using the Y balance test were measured. In order to compare the parameters measured in two groups, non-parametric U-Mann-Whitney test was used.
Results: The scores of functional movements and static stability in the normal feet group were significantly higher than the flexible flatfeet group (p≤0.05). The total score of the Y test was not significantly different between the two groups (p≥0.05). In the group of normal feet, a significant correlation was observed between functional movement scores and dynamic stability (p≤0.05).
Conclusion: These results show that subjects with flexible flatfeet have different movement performance and static stability compared to subjects with normal feet, but they have similar dynamic stability. It may indicate that there is no connection between static and dynamic stability and these two functions are separate from each other.

The Effect Of Eight Weeks Circuit Resistance Training On Serum Levels BDNF And TNF-α In Sedentary Postmenopausal Women

Elham Shakoor

Aim: Resistance exercises are suggested as a non-drug treatment to improve the complications of menopause (cognitive-nervous and inflammatory problems). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of Circuit resistance training on the serum levels of BDNF and TNF-α in sedentary postmenopausal women.
methods: In this semi-experimental research, 30 postmenopausal women (age 54±3 years, body mass index 27.6±1.97 kg/m2) living in Tehran were randomly selected and assigned to two groups, Circuit resistance training groups (n=15) and control groups (n=15). Circuit Resistance training was performed for eight weeks, three sessions per week including 12 stations for the whole body with an intensity of 40-75%, one maximum repetition in three sets with repetitions between 8-12. 24 hours before and after the intervention, fasting blood was taken to measure BDNF and TNF-a were performed. Repeated measures ANOVA statistical method was used to analyze the data.
Results: In the resistance training group, compared to the control group, there was a significant increase in the levels of BDNF (%13.99) and a significant decrease in the levels of TNF-a (%32.92) (P<0.05).
Conclusion: According to the present study, it seems that low-to-moderate Circuit resistance training with increased BDNF and decreased TNF-a was able to improve cognitive-neural and inflammatory factors in postmenopausal women.

The Effect Of Comprehensive And Local Corrective Exercises On Foot Posture Index In Individuals With Flexible Flat Foot: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Afshin Moghadasi

Introduction and aim: Strengthening the intrinsic foot muscles is effective in controlling pronation. However, the effects of strengthening other muscle groups remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of comprehensive and local corrective exercises on foot posture index (FPI) in people with flexible flat foot.
Methods: Forty-four students referring to Neshat corrective exercises center in Ilam city with a foot posture index score between 6 and 12 were selected as a statistical sample and stratified randomly divided into four groups of intrinsic exercises, intrinsic + extrinsic exercises, comprehensive corrective exercises (CCE) and control. The FPI was measured in the pre-test, at the end of the sixth week and at the end of the twelfth week. The mixed model analysis of variance test was used to analyze the data.
Results: The results showed that there was a significant decrease in the FPI in the exercise groups compared to the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the intrinsic and intrinsic + extrinsic groups in the right (P=0.980) and left (P=0.965) foots. FPI in the CCE group showed a significant decrease compared to all groups (P<0.05).
Conclusion: CCE, considering the principle of chain reactions of the human body and focusing on the activation of all the distal and proximal muscles effective in misalignment, is more effective than local exercises in correcting the flatness of a flexible foot.

The Effect Of Six Weeks Of TRX Training On Serum GDNF Protein Level Of Elderly Women

Mojtaba Salehpour

Background: GDNF protein that is effective in neurocognitive plasticity and sarcopenia, increases with resistance training. The aim of the research is the effect of six weeks of TRX training on the GDNF protein level in the serum of elderly women.
Materials and methods: The purpose of the research is applied with a semi-experimental method including pre-test-post-test with control group.28 elderly women from retirement center of Teacher Training University,Shahid Rajaei, were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=15) with an average age of 60.86±5.60,BMI 27.65±4.22 ,control group (n=13) with an average age of 64.38±4.03,BMI 28.33 ± 2.18. In the first and last weeks, upper and lower body strength tests and GDNF protein levels were measured by ELISA kit .Shapiro-Wilk test for normality of data distribution,Levin test for homogeneity of variances,one-way analysis of covariance test (P<0.05) were performed to test hypotheses with spss24 software.
Results: Covariance analysis of upper and lower body strength were significantly different between groups (P<0.05).In adjusted averages,the GDNF protein level in the experimental group (443.102±15.751) is significantly higher than the control group (209.756±17.029)(P<0.05).
Conclusion: Six weeks of TRX training had a significant effect on the amount of GDNF protein, upper and lower body strength of elderly women, and can probably be effective in reducing or delaying sarcopenia.

Effect Of insulin Resistance On Substrate Selection During Exercise In Inactive Diabetic Cbese Women

Rohollh Nikooie

Aim: This semi-experimental study aimed to investigate the effect of insulin resistance on substrate selection during exercise in obese diabetic women.
Methods: 24 inactive obese women, including control (C; n=8,BMI=31.03±1.18), non-insulin resistance (NIR;n=8,BMI=30.91±0.78), and insulin resistance (IR, n=8,BMI=31.57±0.91) groups, were purposely selected and performed a standard incremental test with an initial workload of 50 W and increased in the workload of 20 W every three minutes. Respiratory gases were collected throughout the test. Cross-over point (COP), a point at which the metabolic substrate changes from fat to carbohydrates, and FAT_max point at which fat has the highest contribution to energy supply, were determined. Heart rate and oxygen consumption corresponding to COP and FAT_max, points were calculated and compared among the groups using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).
Results: In both diabetic groups, heart rate (P<0.001) and oxygen consumption (P<0.001) corresponding to COP were significantly lower compared to the C. Both variables had lower values in the IR compared to the NIR (P<0.001). In both diabetic groups, oxygen consumption corresponding to the FAT_max point was significantly lower compared to the C (P<0.001) and had lower values in IR compared to the NIR (P<0.001).
Conclusion: In general, the results of the present study showed that insulin resistance is associated with more reliance on carbohydrates and diminished fat oxidation at submaximal exercise intensities.

A Comparison Of The Effects Of Core Stabilization Functional, EMS And Combined Exercises On Pelvic Floor Muscles Strength And Endurance In Patients With Rectal Prolapse

Allahyar Arabmomeni

Background and Objective: Rectal prolapse, characterized by the protrusion of the internal anal wall, is a debilitating condition often associated with pelvic floor muscle weakness. The present study aimed to compare the effects of functional core stability exercises, electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), and a combination of these modalities on pelvic floor muscle strength and endurance in women with rectal prolapse.
Methodology: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest–posttest design. A total of 48 women with rectal prolapse from Isfahan were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to four groups: functional exercise, EMS exercise, combined exercise and control. The intervention program lasted eight weeks, with three 60-minute sessions per week. Outcome variables were assessed before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) followed by Bonferroni post hoc tests.
Results: The findings demonstrated a significant improvement in pelvic floor muscle strength and endurance in both the EMS and combined exercise groups (P≤0.05). Although the functional exercise group showed an increase in muscle strength, this change did not reach statistical significance (P>0.05). Furthermore, the combined training group exhibited significantly greater improvements across variables compared to the EMS-only and functional-only groups (P≤0.05).
Conclusion: These results suggest that integrating electrical stimulation with functional training provides superior benefits in enhancing pelvic floor muscle strength and endurance in women with rectal prolapse. Therefore, rehabilitation centers, physicians, and therapists are encouraged to adopt such combined approaches as an effective strategy for improving clinical outcomes in this patient population

The Effect And Sustainability Of Corrective Exercises, Postural Reeducation And Combined Program On Core Stability In People With Lumbar Hyperlordosis

reza rajabi

Background and Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the effect and sustainability of eight weeks corrective exercises, postural reeducation and their combination on core stability in young females with lumbar hyperlordosis.
Methods: 55 female students with increased lumbar lordosis randomly divided into four groups (corrective exercise, postural reeducation,combination of exercise and postural reeducation and control). The degree of lordosis was measured by a flexible ruler and core muscls endurance by Mcgill tests before and after eight weeks, and then after eight weeks of follow-up.
Results: The results of repeated measure of ANOVA test indicated a significant difference between pre-test and post-test in study groups in reducing core stability. The results showed that pretest and posttest of exercise group compred with the postural reeducation and control group had a significant difference in core stability (p <0.05). In terms of sustainability the results showed that the difference between the exercise group and combined group with the control group was significant core stability score (p <0.05).
Conclusion: It seems that the use of corrective exercises, combined and postural reeducation program, are likely to be effective in improving core stability in young females with lumbar hyperlordosis, but the effect of the combined program was more than the other interventions.

Comparison Of Effects Of two Type Resistance Exercises On Vertical Force And Impulse Caused By Diagonal Blows On The Spike Skill Of Female Volleyball Players

Mohsen Barghamadi

Background and Aims: Volleyball players apply force at short speed more oblique strokes to the ball so that it lands quickly on the ground.The aim of the present study is to compare the effects of two types of resistance training with cable and barbells on vertical force and impulse caused by oblique strokes in the spike of female volleyball.
Materials and Methods: The present study method was semi-experimental. The statistical population of this study included 45 female volleyball players from Mohaghegh University. The statistical samples was divided into three groups of 15 people in the training groups 1 with barbell, dumbbell, medicine training tools, and groups 2 with training with cable bodybulding equipment, and the third group in as control group. Force plate was used to record ground reaction forces.The table was used to adjust the height diagonal shots, the invisible string and the volleyball ball for the dominant hand shot volleyball players.
Results: The effects of the force resulting from the diagonal impact on the ball on the vertical ground reaction force were significant in the group1 (p< 0.008) and not significant in group 2 (p< 0.133).The effect of the impulse time factor in the strength training group on the vertical component of the ground reaction force was significant in group1 (P<0.030) and in group 2 (P<0.023).
Conclusion: combined strength training with barbell and medicine increases power in diagonal shots and produces maximum vertical force in a shorter time to the ball in diagonal spike shots in volleyball.

Randomized Controlled Study Of The Effect Of Suspended Core Stability Exercises On Balance, Core Stability And Pain In The Female With Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain

RanaSadat Heydari

Introduction and Purpose: Core stability is crucial for preventing and alleviating low back pain. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effects of suspended core stability exercises on the static and dynamic balance, core stability, pain level in females with Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain (NSCLBP).
Methodology: 21 females with NSLBP were randomly divided into experimental(n:11, age:35/1±8/2) and control (n:11, age:32/9±7/6) groups. The static and dynamic balance, core stability, pain level were measured by Biodex balance system, valid tests of Core stability and Visual analogue scale (VAS) respectively. Mixed ANOVA were used for data analysis.
Results: Based on the results of the study, unlike the control group, there was a significant difference in static and dynamic balance, core stability, pain level variables from pre-test to post-test in the experimental group. Also, this difference was observed between the experimental and control groups(P≤0/05).
Conclusion: According to the results of this research, Suspended Core Stability Exercises with TRX, may improve core stability, static and dynamic balance and decrease pain in female with NSCLBP. This may be due to the instability of these exercises, which enhances muscle activation in the core while also involving changes in body position and movements of the upper and lower limbs.

The Effect Of 8 Weeks Of Yumi Ho Massage On The Forward Head Angle And Kyphosis Of 13-17-Year-Old Male Students

abouzar saadatian

Aim: Upper cross syndrome leads to widespread changes such as head forward, increased cervical lordosis, back kyphosis, round shoulder. Correcting musculoskeletal abnormalities and providing appropriate activities and movements to eliminate such disabilities and inefficiencies is of particular importance. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of massage therapy on upper cruciate syndrome in male students.
Methods: In this research, 30 students with upper cruciate syndrome were divided into 2 groups (massage group (15 people) - control group (15 people)). The amount of head forward was evaluated with a camera and back kyphosis was evaluated with a flexible ruler method, and then for 8 weeks of Yomi Ho therapy massage, SPSS version 24 software was used to analyze the data of this research.
Results: The results of multivariate and univariate covariance analysis showed that there is a significant difference between the two massage therapy groups and the control group in forward head (P<0.001) and kyphosis variables (P<0.001).
Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that Yumi Ho therapy massage is an effective method in improving upper cruciate syndrome and especially on forward head and kyphosis abnormalities.

The Effect Of Feedback Interventions On Lower Limb Mechanics And Performance In people With Motor Control Deficits In Jump-Landing Movements: a Systematic Review

Mohadeseh Ashrafizadeh

Introduction & Aim: Motor control deficits such as dynamic knee valgus and quadriceps dominance are recognized as key modifiable risk factors for lower-limb injuries. Feedback-based training has been proposed as an effective strategy to correct high-risk biomechanics. This systematic review aimed to investigate the effects of feedback interventions on lower-limb mechanics and performance during jump-landing movements
Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in international databases (PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Google Scholar) and national databases (Magiran, Irandoc) from 2000 to 2023. Studies were included if they examined the effects of any form of feedback on healthy individuals with lower-limb motor control deficits. From an initial 540 retrieved articles, 20 studies met the inclusion criteria after screening and full-text review.
Results: Most studies reported that feedback, particularly external or real-time feedback, led to increased flexion angles of the hip and knee in the sagittal plane during jump-landing. The findings regarding frontal plane mechanics were inconsistent: some studies showed a reduction in knee valgus angle, while others reported no significant change. A majority confirmed a reduction in peak vertical ground reaction force following feedback. However, limited studies assessed performance outcomes such as jump height or reactive strength index, and their findings were contradictory.
Conclusion: Feedback interventions appear effective in improving biomechanical risk factors related to lower-limb injury during jump-landing tasks; however, their impact on functional performance remains unclear. Further research is required to determine long-term retention and performance outcomes.