Exercise Physiology
shima sharareh; Pantea Kianmeh
Abstract
Purpose: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological condition leading to muscle stiffness, spasticity, and reduced flexibility, particularly in the posterior chain muscles. Myofascial release (MFR), has shown promise in improving flexibility in various populations, but the cumulative effects of ...
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Purpose: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological condition leading to muscle stiffness, spasticity, and reduced flexibility, particularly in the posterior chain muscles. Myofascial release (MFR), has shown promise in improving flexibility in various populations, but the cumulative effects of increasing the number of sessions have not been well-studied in individuals with MS. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a six-week myofascial stretching training program on the flexibility of posterior chain muscles in individuals with MS, with a focus on evaluating the cumulative effects of increasing the number of sessions. Method: A total of 30 female participants with MS were randomly assigned to one of two groups: a group receiving myofascial stretching training twice per week (n=15), and a group receiving training four times per week (n=15). Flexibility of the posterior chain muscles was assessed using the Sit and Reach (S&R) test at baseline, after 6 weeks of the intervention. Results: The results showed a significant improvement in S&R scores in both intervention groups. The group receiving training four times per week demonstrated greater flexibility improvements than the group receiving training twice per week, suggesting a cumulative effect of increasing the number of sessions. Conclusion: A six-week myofascial stretching training program can effectively improve the flexibility of posterior chain muscles in individuals with MS. Increasing the frequency of sessions from twice per week to four times per week leads to greater cumulative improvements in flexibility. These findings have important implications for the design of rehabilitation programs targeting flexibility in individuals with MS.
Exercise Physiology
alireza babaei mazreno; farzane taghian; esmaeil babaei
Abstract
Purpose: With the aging population facing an increased risk of ocular conditions such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and diabetic retinopathy, finding non-invasive methods to support eye health is essential. This meta-analysis aims to compare the effects of aerobic, isometric, and ...
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Purpose: With the aging population facing an increased risk of ocular conditions such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and diabetic retinopathy, finding non-invasive methods to support eye health is essential. This meta-analysis aims to compare the effects of aerobic, isometric, and resistance exercises on visual acuity and overall eye health in the elderly, seeking to identify which type of exercise may be most beneficial for maintaining or improving eye health. Method: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following standard guidelines. Electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, were searched for relevant studies published between 2000 and 2023. The search included terms related to aerobic, isometric, and resistance exercises, visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), retinal health, and elderly populations. Studies were screened and selected based on predefined inclusion criteria, focusing on research involving elderly participants and outcomes related to eye health. Results: A total of 15 studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing 1,200 participants with a mean age of 68 years. The meta-analysis revealed that aerobic exercise significantly reduced intraocular pressure (mean difference = -2.5 mmHg, 95% CI: -3.2 to -1.8, p < 0.001) and improved retinal health markers (effect size = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.20 to 0.50, p < 0.01). Resistance exercise was associated with enhanced visual acuity (effect size = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.15 to 0.41, p < 0.01) and a reduction in the progression of AMD (relative risk = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.50 to 0.90, p < 0.05). Isometric exercises showed minimal impact on eye health compared to the other exercise types (effect size = 0.05, 95% CI: -0.10 to 0.20, p = 0.40). Conclusion: This meta-analysis supports the idea that aerobic and resistance exercises can protect visual acuity and overall eye health in the elderly, likely due to improved blood circulation, reduced oxidative stress, and enhanced retinal function. In contrast, isometric exercises showed minimal benefits, potentially due to their limited impact on systemic circulation. These findings suggest the importance of specific physical activities for mitigating age-related ocular disease risks, with implications for clinical and public health guidelines aimed at preventing visual decline in aging populations.
Exercise Physiology
Mahdi shams
Abstract
Stress is a fundamental response of the body to various environmental pressures, impacting physical and mental health across age groups. After birth, infants enter a phase known as the Stress Hyporesponsive Period (SHRP), during which their physiological responses to stressors are significantly diminished. ...
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Stress is a fundamental response of the body to various environmental pressures, impacting physical and mental health across age groups. After birth, infants enter a phase known as the Stress Hyporesponsive Period (SHRP), during which their physiological responses to stressors are significantly diminished. This stage is crucial as it shapes how individuals respond to stress later. Research indicates that the type and severity of stress experienced during the SHRP can have long-lasting implications, affecting stress reactivity in adulthood. Consequently, there is growing interest in utilizing exercise and physical activity as tools to mitigate the effects of stress. Various sports strategies and exercise regimens are adopted by health professionals to manage both physiological and psychological stressors. Notably, exercise has emerged as an important therapeutic option for various medical conditions, contributing to improvements in individuals’ mental well-being and physical fitness. Moreover, the objectives of this research extend beyond mere treatment; they also involve the enhancement of individuals' physiological traits. This study examines the scientific literature over the past decade regarding the Stress Hyporesponsive Period and analyzes research articles. By focusing on the relationship between exercise and stress response, this research aims to fill existing gaps and explore new pathways for understanding the interactions between physical activity and stress responses.
Exercise Physiology
yasamin yarahmadi
Abstract
The pathophysiology of heat stress occurs when the body's environmental and physiological responses exceed its ability to maintain homeostasis. When internal heat signals or external factors raise body temperature beyond a certain limit that the cooling mechanisms can effectively manage, the resulting ...
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The pathophysiology of heat stress occurs when the body's environmental and physiological responses exceed its ability to maintain homeostasis. When internal heat signals or external factors raise body temperature beyond a certain limit that the cooling mechanisms can effectively manage, the resulting increase in core temperature triggers response pathways that themselves induce physiological stress. The primary response mechanisms to heat stress include sweating, peripheral vasodilation, and shivering as thermogenic responses—all of which are activated by elevated temperatures and may seem counterproductive to the body's requirements, yet they operate through a neuromuscular and hormonal feedback system. Genetic factors influence individual heat tolerance; for instance, certain populations have variations in heat shock proteins (HSP70) and ion channels (TRPV1, RYR1) that enhance their heat response and tolerance. Additionally, individuals with higher relative VO2 max levels demonstrate greater heat tolerance, as those who are physically trained exhibit more sudomotor activity and effective evaporative cooling compared to untrained individuals. Furthermore, individuals who acclimatize to heat over time develop improved thresholds for heat stress, enabling them to better regulate internal and cardiovascular temperature stresses during exposure. This knowledge is crucial for populations at risk and in situations where physical exertion is required in hot conditions.
Exercise Physiology
yasamin yarahmadi; Morteza Tayebi
Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of PMS on aerobic, anaerobic, and cognitive performance in female combat athletes. Method: In this semi-experimental study with a repeated measures design, 20 female combat athletes (mean age: 24.5±2.1 years) were assessed during two phases of ...
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Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of PMS on aerobic, anaerobic, and cognitive performance in female combat athletes. Method: In this semi-experimental study with a repeated measures design, 20 female combat athletes (mean age: 24.5±2.1 years) were assessed during two phases of their menstrual cycle: the PMS phase (7-10 days before menstruation) and the non-PMS phase (days 7-14 of the cycle). Aerobic performance was measured using the Bruce treadmill test, anaerobic performance was assessed by the Wingate test, and cognitive performance was evaluated through simple and choice reaction time tests. Statistical analyses were performed using paired t-tests and Pearson correlation (p<0.05). Results: The findings showed a significant reduction in VO₂ max (6.2%), time to exhaustion, and a significant increase in maximal heart rate and Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) during the PMS phase compared to the non-PMS phase (p<0.05). Anaerobic performance also declined, with a reduction in peak power (6.2%) and mean power (7.5%), an increase in fatigue index (16.2%), and lower blood lactate levels (p<0.01). Cognitive performance deteriorated during PMS, demonstrated by increased simple (16.7%) and choice (16.6%) reaction times, more errors, and decreased accuracy (p<0.01). Furthermore, there was a significant positive correlation between PMS symptom severity and VO₂ max reduction (r=0.72), as well as between blood lactate levels and reaction time (r=0.65) (p<0.01). Conclusion: PMS negatively affects aerobic, anaerobic, and cognitive performance in female combat athletes. These findings highlight the importance of considering the menstrual cycle phases in designing training and competition schedules for female athletes to optimize performance and prevent potential declines associated with PMS.
Exercise Physiology
Ashrafsadat Anvarimanshadi; Behzad Hajizadeh Maleki; nasrin rafizadeh; Davood Sabour; Elnaz Safikhani; Amirhossein Jafari
Abstract
Aging is influenced by a wide range of biological processes, with increasing attention focused on physical exercise as an effective, non-pharmacological intervention to support healthy aging and extend lifespan. This review examines how exercise influences aging mechanisms by activating Forkhead Box ...
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Aging is influenced by a wide range of biological processes, with increasing attention focused on physical exercise as an effective, non-pharmacological intervention to support healthy aging and extend lifespan. This review examines how exercise influences aging mechanisms by activating Forkhead Box O (FOXO) proteins—especially FOXO3, a critical regulator of oxidative stress resistance, metabolism, and cellular repair. By integrating evidence from both animal models and human studies, we explore how different types of physical activity, including endurance and resistance training, enhance FOXO signaling pathways that govern mitochondrial health, autophagy, and inflammation control. FOXO activation appears to play a central role in mitigating age-related diseases such as sarcopenia, cardiovascular disease, neurodegeneration, and cancer. While preclinical studies consistently demonstrate these protective effects, human data are more variable, highlighting the influence of age, sex, and intervention type. Understanding the molecular connection between exercise and FOXO activity can help develop targeted exercise recommendations to promote longevity and delay age-associated functional decline.
Exercise Physiology
Mojtaba Ghorbani Asiabar; Morteza Ghorbani Asiabar; Alireza Ghorbani Asiabar
Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the influence of genetic polymorphisms and metabolomic profiles on physiological adaptations to a 6-week High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) program in individuals with moderate fitness levels, addressing the variability in exercise response. Method: Thirty ...
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Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the influence of genetic polymorphisms and metabolomic profiles on physiological adaptations to a 6-week High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) program in individuals with moderate fitness levels, addressing the variability in exercise response. Method: Thirty moderately fit adults participated in a supervised 6-week HIIT intervention. Pre- and post-training assessments included VO2max, lactate threshold, genetic profiling of key polymorphisms (e.g., PPARGC1A rs8192678) using PCR and next-generation sequencing, and untargeted metabolomic analysis via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Statistical analyses involved paired t-tests, multivariate regression, principal component analysis (PCA), and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). Results: Significant improvements were observed in VO2max (p < 0.001) and lactate threshold (p = 0.004). Carriers of the PPARGC1A G allele showed greater aerobic capacity gains, accompanied by upregulation of PGC-1α expression. Metabolomic profiling revealed significant shifts in glucose and lipid metabolism pathways post-HIIT. Multivariate models identified interactions between genetic variants and metabolomic changes that predicted individual training responsiveness. Conclusion: Integrating genetic and metabolomic data enhances understanding of individual variability in HIIT adaptations and supports the development of personalized exercise prescriptions to optimize health and performance outcomes.
Exercise Physiology
shahin beyranvand
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this review study is to investigate dental caries and intense training. the oral health of athletes in various sports is inappropriate, so that athletes follow a downward trend with an increase in the incidence of various diseases of the oral cavity, performance during training ...
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Purpose: The purpose of this review study is to investigate dental caries and intense training. the oral health of athletes in various sports is inappropriate, so that athletes follow a downward trend with an increase in the incidence of various diseases of the oral cavity, performance during training and racing. Method: intense training has been identified as a harmful factor in the occurrence of a variety of oral diseases, including dental caries. Results: In this context, intense training plays a role as a negative factor in the development of dental caries in athletes by affecting various factors such as saliva PH and blood co2 in dental caries. Conclusion: In this regard, athletes need to be monitored by dentists, which seems to be effective in preventing the decline of athletes ' performance.
Exercise Physiology
Gholamreza Sharifi; alireza babaei mazreno; Seyed Amir Ahmad Mozafari; Mohammad Kamali
Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this research is to compare the effects of three training methods — plyometric, weighted, and barbell (Turkish) training — on the anaerobic capacity of high school male volleyball players. A total of 48 subjects, aged 23 ± 5 years, were selected purposefully and ...
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Purpose: The aim of this research is to compare the effects of three training methods — plyometric, weighted, and barbell (Turkish) training — on the anaerobic capacity of high school male volleyball players. A total of 48 subjects, aged 23 ± 5 years, were selected purposefully and randomly divided into four groups of 12 participants each. Method: The height and weight of the participants were recorded, and their anaerobic capacity was measured using the Lewis formula based on the vertical jump test during the pre-test. The three experimental groups performed weight training, plyometric exercises, and plyometric exercises combined with weights, respectively. The fourth group followed a standard volleyball training regimen. The training period lasted eight weeks, with three training sessions per week. After the eight weeks, a post-test was conducted to measure the effects of the different training methods on the participants' anaerobic capacity. Results: The results of this study showed: Eight weeks of weight training significantly improved the anaerobic capacity of the volleyball players eight weeks of plyometric training significantly improved the anaerobic capacity of the volleyball players. Eight weeks of barbell (Turkish) training significantly improved the anaerobic capacity of the volleyball players.There was no significant difference between the effects of the three training methods on anaerobic capacity. Conclusion: Based on the results of this research, it can be concluded that weight training, plyometric training, and barbell training are all effective in increasing the anaerobic capacity of volleyball players. Given the available time, number of athletes, and resources, any of these training methods can be selected to improve the anaerobic power of athletes. Coaches may choose the most appropriate method depending on the specific needs of their athletes and the resources available.
Exercise Physiology
Asghar Abassi; sirwan Mohammad Amini Khayat
Abstract
We were very interested in the recent research focused on evaluating cardiovascular performance in young populations. The maximal oxygen pulse (O₂Pmax), calculated as the ratio of peak oxygen uptake (VO₂peak) to peak heart rate (HRpeak), has become an important, non-invasive marker for assessing ...
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We were very interested in the recent research focused on evaluating cardiovascular performance in young populations. The maximal oxygen pulse (O₂Pmax), calculated as the ratio of peak oxygen uptake (VO₂peak) to peak heart rate (HRpeak), has become an important, non-invasive marker for assessing cardiopulmonary function. Nevertheless, direct measurement through cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is often impractical for large-scale studies. highlighting the need for reliable estimation methods. Although several such protocols are available for adults. their accuracy in adolescents—who experience significant physiological changes—has not been thoroughly validated. Our study sought to address this by comparing O₂Pmax estimates derived from one laboratory-based and three field-based exercise tests against a standard reference in adolescent males. We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 60 healthy adolescent boys (mean age 16.05 ± 0.81 years). Participants underwent four exercise tests in a randomized order: a Graded Exercise Test (GXT) on a treadmill, two cycle ergometer tests (PWC195 and PWC212)
Exercise Physiology
Noushin Azadpour; behzad hajizadeamini; sirwan mohammad amini; ali arman
Abstract
Background: The "athlete's heart" syndrome encompasses structural and functional cardiac adaptations to chronic exercise. These sports impose unique hemodynamic loads, potentially leading to distinct remodeling patterns.Objective: This study aimed to compare central cardiovascular adaptations, both structural ...
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Background: The "athlete's heart" syndrome encompasses structural and functional cardiac adaptations to chronic exercise. These sports impose unique hemodynamic loads, potentially leading to distinct remodeling patterns.Objective: This study aimed to compare central cardiovascular adaptations, both structural and functional, in elite male athletes from basketball, volleyball, and handball to identify sport-specific differences.Methods: Thirty male athletes (aged 18-25; n=10 per sport group) participated in this cross-sectional study. All participants underwent comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography at rest and immediately following a maximal graded exercise test (GXT) on a treadmill. Key measured parameters included left ventricular (LV) dimensions, wall thickness, mass, ejection fraction (EF), stroke volume, and cardiac output. Data were analyzed using One-Way ANOVA or the Kruskal-Wallis test, with post-hoc analyses where appropriate.Results: While most parameters indicated a common adaptive athlete’s heart profile across all sports, significant sport-specific differences were found. Handball players exhibited a significantly higher heart rate post-GXT (180.11±9.45bpm) compared to both basketball and volleyball players (p<0.01). Furthermore, ejection fraction was significantly different between all groups at rest (p<0.05), with handball players also demonstrating a superior EF post-GXT compared to the other groups (p<0.05). A significant difference in left ventricular end-systolic dimension was also observed at rest between all three sports (p<0.001).Conclusion: The significant differences in post-exercise heart rate and ejection fraction, particularly in handball players, suggest that the pronounced upper-body and isometric components of handball impose a unique hemodynamic stress, leading to distinct functional adaptations. This underscores the importance of sport-specific interpretation of cardiac parameters in athletes.
Exercise Physiology
Narges Fasihi; Reza Gharakhanlou
Abstract
Objective: Plasma follistatin and leptin proteins are important indicators in energy and metabolism regulation that also affect body weight. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of resistance training with and without blood flow restriction on serum follistatin and leptin levels in inactive ...
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Objective: Plasma follistatin and leptin proteins are important indicators in energy and metabolism regulation that also affect body weight. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of resistance training with and without blood flow restriction on serum follistatin and leptin levels in inactive obese girls.Materials and Methods: Thirty inactive obese girls with an age range of 20 to 28 years participated in this study. The subjects were randomly divided into 3 groups: resistance training with blood flow restriction and resistance training without blood flow restriction, and a control group (10 subjects in each group). Data analysis was performed using paired t-tests and one-way ANOVA at a significance level of less than 5%.Results: After 12 weeks of participation in sports activity, follistatin levels in both resistance training groups with and without blood flow restriction increased significantly after training (p<0.05). On the other hand, leptin levels decreased significantly in these groups after training interventions (p<0.05). Regarding the main effect of groups, the results showed that there was a significant difference between the types of resistance training and the control group in follistatin (P=0.036) and leptin (P=0.015) levels.Conclusion: The findings indicate that resistance training can lead to an increase in plasma follistatin levels and a decrease in leptin in inactive obese girls. It is recommended that obese individuals use such resistance training with blood flow restriction as a non-invasive, low-cost, and side-effect-free method to promote health and lose weight
