Research in Sport Medicine and Technology

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Introduction and objectives: In the past decades, the control of hand tremors in neurological disorders such as Parkinson's has attracted a lot of attention. The theories of closed-loop deep brain stimulation method are increasing significantly. The purpose of this article is to provide an automatic closed-loop method for the rehabilitation of Parkinson's patients with hand tremor symptoms using machine learning.
Materials and methods: In this article, a mathematical model including muscle model, basal ganglia, cerebral cortex and supplementary motor area is used to simulate tremor. Also, to control hand tremors, a non-integer proportional-derivative-integral controller (non-integer PID) has been used, as well as using the smart Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) algorithm as a subset of reinforcement learning to adjust the coefficients.
Findings: In addition to reducing hand tremors and automatic learning for use in different levels of the disease, which has given acceptable results compared to other control methods, among the advantages of the Prihadi method is the practical implementation of this method in the real world due to the simplicity of the controller. And also the easy implementation of the intelligent algorithm is due to the automatic adjustment of the coefficients of artificial intelligence networks.
Conclusion: In addition to optimizing output symptoms such as hand tremors compared to other controllers, the proposed intelligent system can also be used for all levels of the disease due to its adaptability, causing a significant reduction in the side effects caused by continuous brain stimulation in the brain stimulation method. It opens in the form of a ring.

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Background: In rehabilitation medicine using targeted and personalized approaches are proposed, so that training protocols adjustments, based on gender, age, level of disability and the rate of progress can have more favorable results. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of personalized comprehensive rehabilitation training on some induces of physical function in women with MS presenting different levels of disability.
Material & Methods:  In this quasi-experimental study, 92 patients admitted to the MS Society of Shahrekord city were selected and on the basis of disability were categorized into 3 groups of mild, moderate and severe. Then each group was randomly divided into experimental and control group. The personalized comprehensive rehabilitation training program was done 12 weeks, 3 times per weeks. Muscles strength, endurance and speed of walking, were assessed. Independent and Covariance test were used for data analysis.
Results: The results showed that 12 weeks training cause improving in muscles strength, speed of walking in women with MS presenting different levels of disability (p<0.05). Endurance of walking improve significantly in mild group (p<0.05), but in moderate and severe group were not significantly (P˃0.05).
Conclusion: The implementation of the comprehensive rehabilitation exercises affected the recovery of patients with MS and made a significant difference in physical functions of patients.
 

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Introduction and aim: One of the serious challenges in sports is injury prediction methods that can help prevent and reduce injuries. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to answer the question, of Do functional movement screen, Y balance, and landing error scoring system tests have the power to predict sports injuries in female student athletes? Methodology: This study was a prospective cohort study. The population of the current research was university female athletes, and the research sample was 124 female student athletes participating in the 15th Iranian Student Sports Olympiad who were evaluated in an available manner. The Y balance test, landing error scoring system, and functional movement screening test were taken from the subjects before the Olympiad, and the injuries of the athletes during the competitions were recorded by the data collection form. In order to statistically analyze the data, the logistic regression test and Pearson correlation coefficient were used. Results: The results of the research showed that a total of 26 injuries were registered during the competition in 124 subjects. None of the predictor variables had the ability to predict the criterion variable (p>0.05). Conclusion: In general conclusion based on the results of this research, it is not possible to predict general injury using functional tests.

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Aim: One of the methods used to improve sports performance is the use of carbohydrate mouth rinse. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of carbohydrate mouth rinse on the specific performance of trained soccer players.
Methods: Eighteen professional football players (22 ± 2 years) were randomized into two groups of carbohydrate mouth rinse (CMR) and placebo (P) in a fasted state after eight hours of sleep. During the two main test sessions, players were provided with either a color- and flavor-matched carbohydrate drink or a no-calorie drink (placebo) for a mouth rinse in a double-blind randomized crossover design. Players were asked to rinse the carbohydrate solution in their mouth for 10-15 seconds and then return it to the plastic cup. Sprint performance, maximum height jump, and 30-15 intermittent fitness test (30-15 IFT) were taken from the subjects.
Findings: Carbohydrate mouth rinse increased running distance in 15-30 IFT test. While there was no significant difference between the two groups in the performance of the 30-meter speed test and the maximum vertical jump.
Conclusion: Therefore, those soccer players who are unable to drink carbohydrate solutions due to digestive problems are advised to use the carbohydrate mouth rinse way to improve their performance during the game.

 

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Background and Aims: The current study aims to investigate the immediate effect of a researcher-made wedge treadmill on the activity of the selected lower limb muscles of flat feet individuals, so by activating the muscles, it can be used to help in the area of corrective exercise and correction of flat feet, rehabilitation and injury prevention.
Methods: The current study was a semi-experimental intervention based on the creation and introduction of a new tool and its effect evaluation. 16 subjects over 18 years old with flat feet deformity were included in this study. The subjects performed the protocol of walking at a normal speed on the researcher-made wedge treadmill at each of the lateral angles of 0, 5 and 15 degrees for 90 seconds. The electromyographic activity of five selected muscles was recorded at those angles. Statistical analysis was performed on Matlab and SPSS software. Friedman's test was used to evaluate the significant differences between angles and Bonferroni's post hoc test was used to compare two-by-two means.
Results: According to the results, the average activity of selected muscles (peroneus longus, tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, soleus and hallucis longus) during walking between angles of 5 and 15 degrees on a wedge treadmill had a statistically significant difference compared to 0 degrees (P≤0.05).
Conclusion: This study showed that the amount of muscle activity of the lower limbs of subjects with flat feet during walking at 5 and 15-degree lateral angles has a significant difference compared to the same people walking at a zero-degree angle. Our results suggest that using the researcher-made wedge treadmill can significantly increase lower limb muscle activity in people with flat feet.

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Background and purpose: In relation to people with motor control defects, it has been recommended that the design of training protocols should be done with the aim of controlling and improving functional defects. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of feedback on the movement patterns and performance of athletes with movement control defects.
 Method: This research is a systematic review in which all articles published in connection with the present study are searched in external databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct and internal databases such as Magiran and Irandoc from 2000 to 2023 have been reviewed.
Findings: Most studies have addressed kinematic variables in the field of anterior cruciate ligament injuries. In the field of kinetics, many studies have confirmed that feedback reduces the vertical ground reaction force. Limited studies have also investigated the effect of feedback on performance.
Conclusion: The results of the studies collected in this research show the contradictory effects of feedback interventions on performance. Considering the high role of functional variables in the field of lower limb injuries, more studies are needed in the future.
 

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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between success
on an over 6000m summit and results of physical fitness tests that normally are
performed by mountaineering federation to select mountaineers for climbing
high mountains. Therefore in this study, relationship between the results of
these tests in 8 female climbers (age, 34.4±8.7year, height, 163.9±5.9cm, body
mass, 60.6±3.8kg) and their performance and success while ascending Mera
Peak (6654m) were assessed. Results showed that none of the cooper test,
long jump, chin up, and sit up tests; and also weekly training volume, age, body
mass, BMI, and percent of body fat were significantly correlated to climbing
ability at altitude, summiting, or incidence of acute mountain sickness.
Summiting was only related to climbing ability over 5000m in 2 days before
summiting (p=0.039) and sleeping history over 3000m (p=0.002). In conclusion,
physical fitness near to sea level could not guaranty climbing ability, summiting,
and healthy mood at high altitude. Climbing and sleeping history at high altitude
may be better criteria for a successful upcoming climb.

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The purpose of present study was to investigate the relationship between
Anthropometric characteristics and hip joint flexibility among teenaged girls in
football schools. The population of this study comprised 120 teenaged girls from
football schools of Mashhad. 40 teenaged girls of the population with mean and
standard deviation of age 13/90±0/84 years, weight 51/62±6/51 kg, and height
156/35±4/22 cm as subjects participated. The Anthropometric variables
including calf length, tight length, calf circumference, hip circumference, knee
diameter, pelvic width, and thickness of subcutaneous fat of iliac crest, iliac,
front tight, middle of the calf, range of motion in flexion and extension were
measured. The collected data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and
Pearson correlation coefficient with significant level of p < 0.05. The results
showed that there is a negative and significant relationship between thickness
of subcutaneous fat in front tight, middle of the calf and the range of motion in
hip flexion. However, there is a positive and significant relationship between
pelvic width and the range of motion in hip extension. The results of the present
study demonstrated that there is a relationship between thickness of
subcutaneous fat and pelvic width and hip joint flexibility

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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

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The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the kinematics and kinetics of successful versus
unsuccessful basketball free throw shots. Six professional basketball players (age= 23±2.09 years members
of Iranian premier basketball league participat in test. Kinematics of arm motion during basketball free throws
were recorded by two Casio zr200 camera in frequency of 240 Hz. Wilcoxon test was used for significant
differences between successful versus unsuccessful free throws (p ≤ 0/05). Angular velocity of the wrist was
found to be significantly higher in successful versus unsuccessful shots at the time of ball release (p ≤ 0/028).
Wrist (p ≤ 0/008) and shoulder (p ≤ 0/023) joints were found to have significantly more flexion in successful
versus unsuccessful shots while elbow (p ≤ 0/002) remained significantly less flexed in successful shots.
Angular displacement of wrist (p ≤ 0/034) and elbow (p ≤ 0/004) was shown to be significantly greater in
successful versus unsuccessful shots. Integrated EMG of Anterior Deltoid (AD), Triceps Brachii (TB) and
Flexor Carpi Radialis (FCR) muscles was more in successful free throw versus unsuccessful free throw, but
the only significant difference was observed in the Integrated EMG of the Triceps Brachii muscle (p ≤ 0/034).
In summery, increasing the wrist angular velocity and activity of triceps brachii muscle affected successful
free throws.

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The purpose of current study was to investigate the spatio-temporal gait parameters and knee varus angle
during walking at different speeds in young with knee varus. 18 subjects with varus deformity classified at
grade 3 of bowleg and 17 healthy subjects, volunteered to participate in this study. The following variables
include stance, swing, double support and cycle time, cadence, stride length, angle of varus at the heel
contact, midstance and toe off when walking on the treadmill at speeds of 80, 100 and 120 percent of
preferred walking speed, were measured from using the three-dimensional motion analysis system with six
optoelectronic cameras. The results of between-group tests showed that spatio-temporal gait parameters
in the varus group is similar to the normal group. Also varus angular variables in varus group, was indicate
higher values in comparison to the healthy group, but there were no significant differences. The results of
inter-group tests also showed the knee varus angle generally increases with increasing speed, that none of
the differences were not significant. According to the results, the increase in walking speed will caused to
increase knee varus angle. Therefore, walking with speed less than the normal walking speed, probably is
a suitable solution to reduce the loads exerted on the knee joint and prevention of premature osteoarthritis
in young with knee varus.

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The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of soccer specific functional fatigue on hip and knee
joints angles during landing in professional players.15 soccer players with at least 2 years experience in
Kerman soccer clubs were selected randomly. To evaluate the lower extremity kinematics following
jumping and soccer specific- heading, three cameras (with50Hz) were used. To cause fatigue in subjects,
specific functional protocol similar to specific bangsbo soccer was used and Quantic sport v21 soft ware
was administrated for kinematic analysis of the recorded films. To statistical analyzing of data, descriptive
statistical methods, and paired-t test were administrated at α=0.05.Finding revealed that hip and knee
angles in sagittal and frontal plane in landing is influenced by functional fatigue. This results has been
reducing knee and hip flexion angles and increased varus in knee joint. Results demonstrated a more
erect landing posture due to a decrease in hip and knee flexion angles in the post fatigue condition.
However, functional fatigue significantly decrease lower extremity control ability in male soccer player
during landing.

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Take-off is the critical phase of the long jump event. The aim of this study was to explore the relationships
between different variables and success in take-off. 37 trials performed by 8 long jumper, participants in
fourth indoor Asian senior athletics championships held in Tehran, with personal best average of 7.68±0.28
meter were recorded at 300 Hz. Five speed-related, five technical and four strength-related variables as well
as an anthropometric variable were measured using motion analysis software. More gain in vertical velocity
and less loss of horizontal velocity are considered as two criteria of take-off success and their relationships
with other variables were determined through correlation and regression analysis. Significant level of 0.05
was set. Some variables of all four groups were significantly correlated with success criteria. These variables
along with some others were entered in regression equations. The results emphasized on dominant role of
the technique and approach velocity and represented the effect of anthropometric characteristics on success
in takeoff. Furthermore eccentric strength of knee extensors was shown as the main strength factor in this
performance.

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The present study aimed to examine the effects of FIFA 11+ comprehensive warm-up program for referees on dynamic balance among male Iranian football referees and assistant referees. Fifty-two football referees and assistant referees who had no previous injury voluntarily participated in the present study. They were randomly assigned into an intervention group and a control one (26 participants each group). The intervention participants took part in a 17-week FIFA 11+ comprehensive warm-up program for referees while the control group performed their usual warm-up trainings during a half season. In order to estimate the dynamic balance of the referees in the pre-test and post-test, Y Balance Test was used. The collected data were analyzed using Descriptive statistics and ANOVA. The results of the present study indicated that the intervention and the control groups were significantly different in terms of dynamic balance in anterior and posteromedial directions and also the referees’ overall balance score before and after the study. However, no significant between them was observed in posteriolateral direction. According to the findings of the present study, it can be concluded that the FIFA 11+ comprehensive warm-up program for referees could improve the referees’ and the assistant referees’ dynamic balance.

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Due to the necessity of screening injury the aim of this study was to screen the scores of Functional movement screening tests in active and inactive subject . The study population consisted of University Students aged 18 to 25 years out of which 50 students (25 active and 25 inactive) were selected. Functional Movement Screen by Cook were used for functional screening. After the normality of the overall scores for FMS, Independed-Samples T-Test was used in SPSS (version 16) to analyze the data at significant level of 0/05. According to the findings, overall scores of FMS was significantly different between active and inactive subjects (P=0/001). Cut-off point of 17 was obtained for all subjects. There was no significant difference in shoulder mobility and straight leg raise test scores in the active and inactive people but there was significant difference among the scores of other five tests This prospective study shows that due to the overall score FMS inactive people than in active people are more prone to injury.

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Judo is one of the most popular martial arts in the world. Researchers reported a higher risk of injuries during training rather than the time of competition. So, the safe and effective training methods should be considered. As development and application of injury prevention approaches and athletic performance enhancement is necessary, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 8-week Judo Specific Functional Training on the injury risk factors and athletic performance in non-elite male judokas. 46 non-elite judokas participated in this study. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups of experimental (23:N) and control (23:N). For a period of 8 weeks, the experimental group attended a special judo functional training program designed by the researchers. At the same time, the control group participated in the usual judo training program presented by the coaches. The exercises were performed 3 sessions per week and 90 minutes per session. The subjects participated in pre- and post-tests. After data collection, in order to approve data normality and compare the variables, Shapiro-wilk, ANCOVA analysis was implemented at the significant level (p≤0.05) using SPSS version 21. The results showed that scores of functional movement screening (p=0.001), upper extremity Y balance test (p=0.001), vertical jump (p=0.001) and special judo fitness test (p=0.001) significantly increased among the experimental group in comparison to the Control group. This Judo specific functional training program simultaneously modifies or decreases the injury risk factors and improves the athletic performance and has more efficiency and effectiveness rather than the usual judo training program.    

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