Research in Sport Medicine and Technology

Introduction: This research aimed to compare two methods of kinesiotaping
and stretching of upper trapezius muscle in treatment of neck pain due to
forward head posture.
Research Methods: Design of this research was semi-experimental. 36
subjects (29 female and 7 men) with forward head posture between 20-40 years
of age with no history of neck pain due to vertebral fracture, disc herniation,
tumors, radicular pain to hands and arthritis rheumatoid were selected for this
research and assigned randomly into 2 groups with 18 subjects. One group
received kinesiotaping treatment and the other group received stretching upper
trapezius muscle treatment. Subjects received 10 treatment sessions 3 times
per week. All subjects completed visual analog scale (VAS) and neck disability
index (NDI) pre and post-tests. The data were analyzed with significant level of
p≤0/05. Data were analyzed by SPSS 15. Statistical paired t- test were used to
analyze effects of kinesiotaping and stretching of upper trapezius muscle in
reduction of neck pain and disability due to forward head posture in each group
and independent t- test were used to compare the kinesiotaping with stretching
of upper trapezius muscle in reduction of neck pain and disability due to forward
head posture.

Results: The results of the present research indicated that there is a significant
reduction in severity of neck pain and disability in both groups (P<0.05), But
there is no significant difference between two groups in severity of neck pain
and disability (P>0.05).
Conclusion: This research showed that either kinesiotaping or stretching of
upper trapezius muscle reduced severity of neck pain and disability due to
trigger points of upper trapezius muscle significantly. Also findings of this
research showed that there is no significant difference between kinesiotaping or
stretching of upper trapezius muscle in reduction of severity of neck pain and
disability. Therefore kinesiotaping can be used in case of vigorous pain either in
patient under other treatment methods or in patient who cannot tolerate
techniques like stretching or ischemic pressure until tolerable pain threshold.

Introduction: Different sports require athletes with special shape and size.
Findings of researches have reported the relationship between somatotype
components and athletic performance, similarity of somatotype of junior and
senior athletes in the same sport and, consistency of somatotype through
lifespan. In according to the fact that, somatotype is related to genetic factors
and not influenced by training and nutrition, this index can be helpful in
identification of talents. Lack of investigation examining somatotype profile of
Iranian population, the aim of present study was to describe somatotype profile
of Iranian 9-13 years old boys of country provinces in martial sports.
Methodology: present investigation is descriptive and field study. Population is
9-13 years old boys who participated in Basij Sport Organization leisure time
programs. Sample includes 1726 boys in that age rang. Anthropometric
characteristics were measured using ISAK instruction and somatotpye was
assessed using Heath-Carter method.
Findings: results showed that Ectomorphic component of Iranian boys was 3.1,
Mesomorphy was 4.1 and Endomorphic was 3.1. also revealed that the Iranian
9-13 years old boys have balanced mesomorph somatotype.
Discussion: based on previous researches, elite Karateka in worldwide top
teams like Germany have Ectomorph-Mesomorph type, also somatotype of elite
taekwondo ka is Ectomorph-Mesomorph too and in Judo somatotype of elite
athletes is Balanced Mesomorphy. Based on the finding of present study the
boys of Ilam, Fars, Qazvin, Qom, Lorestan, Khorasan Razavi and Yazd have
Ectomorph-Mesomorph somatotype and, boys in Mazandaran, Kerman,
Kemanshah, Kurdestan, Markazi, Azarbayjan Sharghi, Khouzestan and
Bousher provinces have balanced mesomorph somatotye.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine cardiovascular risk factors in
middle-age adults male with different abdominal obesity and physical activity
levels. 40 males aged 35 to 55 years divided to four groups. Group 1
:(physically active with high WHR), group2: (physically active with low WHR),
group3: (non-active with high WHR), group 4: (non-active with low WHR).
Physical activity was assessed using beck's standardized questionnaire .Risk
factors included C-reactive proteins levels( CRP), high density lipoprotein (HDL)
cholesterol and low density lipoproteins (LDL)and total cholesterol (TC) were
assessed by taking blood samples and waist to hip ratio(WHR) determined as
an abdominal obesity index. Data analyzed using two-way ANOVA, (P≤0.05).
No significant differences were seen in risk factors included HDL, LDL and TC
levels (P≥0.05).In adults with high & low WHR, the CRP levels were
significantly different (P≤0.05)in all groups. Our data suggest that in spite of
physical activity levels, abdominal obesity is effective on CRP levels in middleaged
adults male.

The purpose of this investigation was to consider the Fast-Skin swimsuit's effect
on the elite female swimmers’ performance. So, twelve elite swimmers swam 50
and 200 m and 400 m trials with and without Fast-Skin at approximately 80-
100% of maximal effort in four swimming styles. In 400 m freestyle swimming,
traditional swimsuit compared with shoulder-to-ankle (SA) and shoulder-to-knee
(SK) of Fast-Skin (to control intensity, blood lactate and heart-rate was
measured). Also the propelling force of subjects was measured with indirect
way. Results showed, there was significant reduction in records of 50 m front
crawl, backstroke and butterfly, while no significant differences observed in
breaststroke. In 200 m for four swimming styles, reduction records were
significant. Also, different significant effect seen using traditional swimsuit in
comparison with SA and SK. Fast-Skin provide significant increased in
propelling force of front crawl, backstroke and butterfly, but no significant
propelling force observed in breaststroke. Using SA especially in fast front crawl
and semi-endurance butterfly and SK in endurance freestyle are recommended

The purpose of this research is to survey the relationship between range of the
ankle motion and Q angle and back stroke kicking on male swimmers. 34 on
available boy students swimmers were selected with mean and SD of age
23.68±2.28 years, weight 71.88±9.35 kg and height 176.11±5.52 cm in this
study. First, Right and Left Leg Q angles (to supine position), Range of Dorsal
flexion and plantar flexion motion were measured by the use of goniometry. And
their mean were calculated Right and Left Leg Q angles. Then test was
recorded of back stroke and kicking in distance 15 meter of pool. The number of
back stroke kicking done by the use of three referees and cinematography
technique. Later, the distance for per back stroke kicking was calculated by the
use of mathematical formula. The results of Pearson correlation coefficient
showed the significant positive correlation between Q angle with record of back
stroke kicking (r = -0/67, p ≤ 0/05). The results showed that swimmers may not
use all their range of the ankle motion, but optimized range of the ankle motion
to be their consideration. Also, Q angle measure (Q ≤ 16/23) could be important
in success, Talent Identification and selection of mentioned swimmers

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of 12 weeks of "Tai Chi"
exercise on some of physiological and psychological factors in elderly living in
Nursing Home. In this experimental study, 58 elderly male and female age
69.15±5.3 yr, height 154 ± 0.1 cm and weight 58.13 ±4.4 kg, lived in Sadeghie
Nursing Home were selected and objectively divided in experimental (n=27) and
control groups (n=30). The experimental group trained for 3 month, three
session per/week, and 30 minute in each session. Heart rate, blood pressure,
hands grip strength, flexibility, Berg balance scale, depression and quality of
sleep were measured before and after the exercise program. Data were
analyzed for group differences using covariance test. There was no significant
group difference in heart rate, blood pressure and flexibility. Hands grip
strength, quality of sleep and balance scales were significantly improved and
depression significantly decreased in experimental compared with control
group. So, it seems that using Tai Chi exercise can improve some of
physiological factors, depression and quality of sleep in elderly

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of eight weeks strength and
plyometric trainings on knee joint position sense. In this study, 45 male students
(21.7±2.17years, weight 69.7±7.89 kg, and height 177.2±5.83cm) volunteered
and selected as subjects to participate in this semi-empirical study. Subjects
divided in three groups include strength (n=15), plyometric (n=15) and control
(n=15). Strength group trained squat, leg flexion and leg extension and
plyometric group trained depth jump, Split squat jump, rim jump and box to box
depth jump. Joint position sense measured at three angles 30, 45 and 60
degrees in knee joint by Biodex Isokenitic system 3. One-way ANOVA was
used for analysis of data. Results of study showed that trainings significantly
improve the joint position sense in initial angel (30degree) on active
reproduction and in initial and final angels (30 and 60 degrees) on passive
reproduction. In addition, comparison of trainings revealed that strength training
in 30 degrees and plyometric training in 30 and 60 degrees significantly improve
the joint position sense. Between two methods of training only on passive
reproduction at 60 degree, significantly difference was observed (p≤0.05).
These protocols can use in rehabilitation to improve proprioception and
neuromuscular coordination.

Background and aims:
In many communities, the sport as a method of therapy is used to improve the
disabled and veterans' health which has been a useful and effective. The aim of
this study was to examine the effect of aerobic exercise on general health and
serotonin levels in inactive veterans. Material and method: Based on semi
experimental design 40 veterans, 25 percent impaired and with age average
40/3±1/4, were selected and randomly divided into two experimental and control
groups. Subjects in the experimental group participated in a period of 12 week’s
aerobic exercise training program, which done 3 times a week at 50-65 percent
of Vo2max. Control group did not participate in any exercise program during
study period. General health of the subjects and its subscales was measured by
the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Serotonin levels, VO2max, percent
body fat and BMI before and after training for both groups were measured
respectively. Data were analyzed using t-tests at 5% alpha error level was
performed using SPSS version 16. Results: Data analysis showed significant
difference between the two groups in general health. The difference in
psychosomatic subscales, anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction and
depression were observed between two groups. Also, the results of this study
showed that after 12 weeks aerobic exercise, percent body fat, BMI and lipid
profile decreased significantly in training group. VO2max and serotonin also
increased significantly compared with the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion:
Aerobic exercise for inactive veterans maybe effective in reducing serotonin
levels and increasing general health and placed in line health promotion
programs.

improves insulin resistance. However, the effect of training sessions a day is not
clear in this regard. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of one or
two sessions a day of exercise training, with equal intensity and duration, on
insulin resistance in sedentary middle-aged men. Materials & Methods: 30
sedentary middle-aged male volunteers (age=43.6±6.5 yr, weight=80.4±13.6kg,
height=174.1±5.5cm,BMI=26.5±3.6kg/m2،VO2max=35.46±6ml/kg) randomized to
the control (n=10), one session a day (n=10)and two sessions a day training
group( n=10). Exercise program consisted of 16 weeks, five days a week, tread
mill running which was implemented as one (30 minutes) or two sessions (2×15
minutes) a day. Training intensity was 40-50% of HRmax at first week and
reached to 70-80% at 16th week of the training. Measurements of fasting blood
samples (insulin, glucose and adiponectin), insulin resistance, cardiorespiratory
fitness, abdominal obesity and BMI were obtained at baseline and post
exercise. Paired t test and analysis of Variance were used to analyze the data.
Results: After 16 weeks of training, compared with the control group, a
significant reduction in blood glucose, abdominal obesity and BMI, and a
significant increase in cardiorespiratory fitness were observed in the both
experimental groups; whereas insulin resistance remained unchanged, and
adiponectin was significantly increased only in the one session a day training
group. Conclusion: based on the findings it seems that, dividing the physical
activity session in two shorter parts can improve glucose profile, cardiorespiratory
fitness and obesity indicators the same as a continuous exercise session. But in
terms of increased adiponectin and decreased abdominal obesity, continuous
exercise session is more effective.

Abstract
The aim of this study was designing a specific upper body anaerobic power test for wrestlers and determining validity, reliability and objectivity of the designed test. In order to assess the anaerobic power of wrestlers on the basis of upper body Wingate test, Twenty two wrestlers (age=23/40±3/20 year, height=173/13±6/97 cm, weight=74/55±3/88 kg) of Tehran wrestling team (most of them were Asian champion) were participated in this study. Mean, maximum and minimum of anaerobic power and fatigue indices assessed by both tests. In order to analysis the correlation between power indices and physiological indices (blood lactate and heart rate), Pearson correlation has been used, and the differences between blood lactate after 2 min in both tests assessed. The result indicated that there was significant correlation between maximum (p=0/001 r=0/739), mean (p=0/001 r=0/670) and minimum (p=0/01 r=0/650) of power and fatigue indices (p=0/003 r=0/610) obtained by designed test and Wingate test. The result showed that there was significant correlation between heart rate immediately after doing both tests (p=0/001, r=0/705) and also the result show that there was not significant correlation between blood lactate after 2 min. of doing both tests (p=0/07 r=0/353). Statistical analyses also showed no difference between the blood lactate after 2 min of doing both tests. Analyzing the validity of designed test, revealed that there was significant correlation between max (p=0/000 r=0/840), mean (p=0/000 r=0/861) and minimum (p=0/000 r=0/830) power and fatigue indices (p=0/000 r=772) after performing twice of designed test. In analysis objectively of the designed test, the result revealed that there was significant correlation between max (p=0/000 r=0/832), mean (p=0/000 r=0/858) and minimum (p=0/000 r=0/805) power and fatigue indices (p=0/000 r=0/832) which was done by two different tester. It can be concluded that in respect to Wingate upper body test, the designed test in this study is valid and reliable test to measure the anaerobic power of wrestlers.

The purpose of this study was to compare of hip abductor and external rotator
muscles strength between male soccer players with ACl rupture and healthy
male soccer players. 30 male participants (15 soccer players with ACL rupture
as sample group and 15 healthy soccer players as control group) participated in
this study. Hip abductor and external rotator muscles strength tests including
normalized isometric strength of hip abductor and hip external rotator muscles
were evaluated by dynamometer in both groups. Independent t-test was used to
compare datas between two groups.The results showed significant differences
in normalized isometric strength of hip abductor muscles (P=0.003) and hip
external rotator muscles (P=0.127). Regarding the findings of this study, there is
significant difference of hip muscles strength between male soccer players with
ACL rupture and healthy male soccer players .

Introduction and Purpose: The rate of overweight and obesity of childhood is dramatically increasing. It seems that mechanical load would affects motor activities for instance walking pattern. This study undertaken to compare spatio-temporal parameters of walking among overweight and normal childrens 10 to 12 years.
Methodology: In this semi-experimental study, 30 subjects (15 overweight boys and 15 normal boys) are randomly selected participated. Footprints recorded during walking with ink and paper system. In order to make comparison of spatio- temporal parameters of walking of subjects Independent Samples t-Test is used. Results: Significant difference was seen in three parameters spending time, speed and cadence between the two groups; in addition, there is significant difference in foot progressive angle between dominant and non dominant limbs.
Discussion and conclusion: According to the findings of this study, which confirms findings of previous studies, in order to optimize walking pattern perhaps overweight changes the pattern of gait through improvement of motor control.

Balance and strength are important abilities that athletes should have them. This study was designed to investigate the relationship between maximum leg press (non-weight bearing closed kinetic chain) and squat (weight bearing closed kinetic chain) strength with statistic and dynamic balance. Thirty (15 men and 15 women) physically active participants (age, 22.13 ± 1.54 years; height, 171.26 ± 6.92 cm; weight, 66.02 ± 8.27 kg) completed the study. The Biodex Balance System was used to evaluate balance performance. Subjects completed two, 40 seconds trials attempting to maintain their statistic and dynamic balance and Overall Stability Index, Anterior/Posterior Index and Medial/Lateral Index were obtained. Maximum strength also was measured with a 1RM squat and leg press. Significant correlations were found between the measurements of 1RM squat with static anterior-posterior indices (r, 0.019; P=-0.541) and dynamic medial-lateral indices (r, 0.021, P=-0.532) in men and with static anterior-posterior indices (r, 0.016, P=-0.552) and dynamic anterior-posterior indices (r, 0.032; P=-0.491) in women. No significant correlations were found between the measures of 1RM leg press and balance indices in both groups. The results of this study indicate that maximum squat strength has more relation with some indices of static and dynamic balance than maximum leg press.
 

The purpose of this study was to examine the difference between two types of
the soccer instep kick in temporal sequence of motion and muscle
electromyography, during forward swing phase of the kick. Ten elite soccer
players, volunteered as subjects in the study. To culculate the kinematics data,
we used DLT method with two video camera that filmed five markers fixed on
anatomical points of lower body, at 240 fpm. Moreover the electromyography of
rectus femoris, vastus medialis and tibialis anterior were estimated. Kinematic
data from ten players was extracted using image processing toolbox of
MATLAB software. Using these results, we compared sequences of joint motion
and progression of activation muscle in low drive and high drive kick. The
results indicate that there was a difference in ranks of muscle activation
between two kick, but there were no difference in muscles activation time and
sequence of joint motion between low drive and high drive kick. Furthermore
both kicks have a similar proximal-distal pattern and interaction in muscles
contraction and joints motion

The purpose of this study was to survey effects of twelve weeks endurance training on serum levels of selected hormones in underweight men. Eighteen healthy underweight men were randomly divided at two groups: endurance training and control. Serum levels of adiponectin, testosterone, and cortisol were assessed before and after training. Endurance training protocol consisted of twelve weeks pedaling on cycle ergometer (3 sessions per week, intensity 60-70% of reserved heart rate, duration of each session 20-40 min). Data were analyzed by SPSS16 software and using Independent and Paired t-tests. Statistical significance was accepted at P<0.05. Endurance training has no significant effect on serum concentrations of adiponectin (14.4±2.4 vs. 13.9±1.8 &mu;g/ml) and cortisol (178.2±48.7 vs. 167.3±39.6 ng/ml) (p>0.05), while decreased serum testosterone concentration (8.2±1.6 vs. 7.2±1.8 ng/ml) (p=0.032) and increased VO2max index (p=0.008). Performing endurance training twelve weeks has no effect on serum adiponectin concentration in underweight men, likely due to lack of change in body fat percent. It doesn’t appear that decrease of circulating levels of testosterone following this period training has detrimental effects on anabolic-androgenic testosterone-dependent processes, and even according to previous studies, it can be useful for cardiovascular health. Anyway, cardio respiratory fitness level of underweight men improved following the endurance training. It doesn’t appear that endurance training has effect on resting (non-exercise condition) levels of cortisol concentration in underweight men.

Introduction: 24-67% of recreational runners suffer from running-related injuries. The purpose of this study was to test the effect of unstable shoes on selected ground reaction force (GRF) parameters during stance phase of running.
Method: 20 healthy men (age of 21±2.27 years, height of 176.93±5.39 cm, and mass of 72.30±8.84 kg) ran on the force plate placed in the middle of 15 m runway in barefoot, with unstable and control shoe conditions. Peak vertical GRF, posterior force, loading rate and impulsive passive force variables were calculated in the three conditions. A repeated measure of ANOVA and Duncan post-hoc tests applied to test the hypothesis (p<0.05).
Results: vertical loading rate and vertical peak passive force variables were significantly increased in unstable shoe condition compared to control shoes. In addition, peak posterior force and impulsive passive force variables were significantly increased in unstable shoe compared to control shoe.
Conclusion: unstable shoe could increase ground reaction force parameters on foot during running. This finding suggests that unstable shoes could possibly increase risk of running related to injuries.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of glucose and glutamine supplementation on serum HSP72, in non-athlete men during four weeks exhaustive endurance - intermittent training that causes glycogen depletion. For this purpose 20 non-athlete healthy men were selected and randomly divided into four groups including: glucose supplementation with glycogen depletion training group (n = 5, supplement 1), glutamine supplementation with glycogen depletion training group (n = 5, supplement 2), glycogen depletion training group (n = 5, placebo) and a group without any treatment (n = 5, control). The blood samples were collected at the onset of training protocol period and 48 hours after final training session from anticubital venous. Serum HSP72 concentration were determined by ELISA technique. The main and interaction effects of variables were determined using TWO WAY ANOVA compeleted with Tukey post-hoc test. The significant level was chosen as &alpha; = 0.05.The results showed the significant effect of training variable for serum HSP72 concentration, [F(1,17)= 6.362 P<0.05] . The effect of supplementation variable was significant for serum HSP72 concentration, [F(1,17)= 15.362 P<0.01] . Post-hoc test showed the significant difference between placebo with supplement 1 group (p<0.05) and placebo with supplement 2 group (p<0.01). The interaction effect between two variables was not significant. In summery, the results suggested that in glycogen depletion training condition, glucose or glutamine supplementation have significant effect on serum HSP72 concentration.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of combination specific resistance and ordinary swimming  training on Breaststroke swimming  performance in young boys. Twenty boys of Alborz  province  swimming team age of 13±1 years ,weight 50/ 65±1/02kg and height 159/8 ±4/91cm, participated in this study. After the initial testing of the performance variable (Fifty-meter record of Breaststroke swimming) , technical variable (stroke number) and  strength variable (strength of spinal extensor muscles), subjects were randomly divided in two groups, Experimental group (combination  specific  resistance and ordinary swimming  training) and control group(ordinary swimming  training).A week of familiarization training was performed to adapt with vest (specific resistance) and then training program were performed  for 6 weeks, three sessions per week .Training program consisted of 15minutes of warmup and 8 repeats of 50 meters breaststroke  with 1minute rest interval between repetitions, in exprimental group (with vest of training) and control group(without vest of training). At the end of the training, post test  was performed  in accordance with the conditions of the pre test.  Kolmogorov –Smirnov  test was used to determine normality of data distribution, Paired t-tests was used to determine within group changes and the covariance analysis was used to compare the progress of dependent variables between the two groups. The results of this study indicated that although swimming performance was significantly improved in both groups (p≤0.05) ,but there were no  significant differences between the groups in fifty-meter record of Breaststroke swimming,­ stroke number and strength of spinal extensor muscles (p≥0.05).It may be attributed to non-professional subjects or Low-intensity resistance training.