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Background and aim: Coronary artery disease is the most common cause of mortality in adult with atherosclerosis. Based on recent studies decrease of transferring level is very important in coronary vascular disease development. The main goal of this study was to survey the effects of endurance, resistance and combination training on the transferring level.

Materials and methods: Forty three volunteers with 18- 25 years old participated in this study. Transferring, heart rate and blood pressure assessed before & after one session of exercise. Subjects randomly put in to one of the four groups (control, endurance, resistance and combination).

Results: There was no significant difference between transferring before and after in endurance & combination groups; But there was a significant difference between transferrin before and after one session of resistance exercise group (P= 0.04).

Conclusion: The results of this pilot study showed that one session of resistance exercises decreased the transferrin level whereas endurance and combination exercises were ineffective upon it.

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Background and aim: Asymmetric motions of trunk, external forces and other occupational factors such as frequent bending and twisting, lifting and forceful movement contribute to low back disorders. However, the dynamic and three-Dimensional motions of trunk at varying exertion levels were not addressed in literature. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the movement pattern and motor output during resisted trunk three-dimensional motion. 

Materials and Methods: Thirty healthy male subjects randomly performed dynamic asymmetric trunk motion at four resistance levels (nominal resistance, 25%, 50%, and 75% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque) while positioned in standing with the L5-S1 interspinous space aligned with the flexion / extension axis of isostation B200. Under each resistance condition, movement patterns (range of motion), motor output (maximum torque) of the trunk were measured.

Results: In general, with increasing resistance from nominal to 75% MVC torque, the maximum torque of trunk in different directions of motion (flexion, extension, right & left lateral flexion, right & left rotation) increased significantly (p= 0.000). With increasing resistance from nominal to 50%  MVC torque, the range of motion of the trunk decreased significant (p<0.0083), but no significant change was found in this variable between resistance conditions of 50% and 75% MVC torque (p>0.0083).

Conclusion: When the resistance level is increased , the created external forces  must be balanced by internal forces generated by trunk muscles. Because the muscles have short lever arms compared with the external forces, they must generate large amounts of forces, placing compressive and shear loads on the structures of the spine. Under these conditions, spine injuries may be enhanced.

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Background and Aim: Muscle weakness can be a major problem for many young people with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (CP). Strength affects on gross motor function. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of loaded forward and lateral step up resistance exercises on Gross Motor Function in children with cerebral palsy of spastic diplegia.

Materials and Methods: Twenty CP persons between 5 to 12 years old (11 boys and 9 girls) with mean age of 8.15 years old were participated in this study. Loaded forward and lateral step up resistance exercises protocols were done 3 times a week for 6 weeks. Isometric strength of hip abductor, hip extensor, knee extensor and ankle plantar flexor were evaluated by MMT NICHOLAS apparatus. Gross Motor Function were evaluated by GMFM.

Result: The strength of Hip abductor, hip extensor, knee extensor and ankle plantar flexor increased (p < 0.05). The scores of GMFM dimensions D and E improved (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Loaded forward and lateral step up resistance exercises increased muscle strength of lower extremity and improved scores in GMFM. 

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Background and Aim: Rehabilitation interventions have significant role in reducing the disabilities of Down syndrome. Due to great role of balance in the function of individuals particularly in Activity of Daily Living and the effect of strength on balance, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Progressive Resistive Exercise on functional balance in children with Down syndrome.
Material and Methods: Fifteen girls children aged between 8 and 12 years, with Down syndrome participated in this study by available sampling method. The subjects participated three times per week in a six-week progressive strengthening program. During intervention, 3 of them excluded. Balance were measured by Berg Balance Scale and right/left hip abductor and flexor, knee extensor and flexor muscles isometric strengths were measured by Nickolas hand-held dynamometer. Paired-sampled T-Test was used for data analysis.
Results: The results of this study showed that the mean of functional balance and muscles isometric strengths were significantly increased after intervention (P<0.001).
Conclusion: It seems that the results of this study confirm the effect of progressive resistance training on progressing functional balance, and 8-12 years old children with Down syndrome can benefit from these exercises.

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Background and Aim: Depression is one of the most important threats to psychological well-being of individuals in the 21^st century. Individuals experiencing depression will have unpleasant feelings of sadness and discouragement. This feeling stops individuals, especially students, to have the ability of experiencing fun and joyfulness in life. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of short-term resistance exercises on occupational performance areas and depression severity in students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences.

 

Materials and Methods: Convenience sampling was used in this study. Participants included 40 freshmen of medical sciences in experimental group and a matching group as control group (40 participants). The Beck Depression Inventory (second edition) and Canadian Occupational Performance Measurement were tested before and after implementing the designed protocols. Participants in experimental group performed resistance exercises 3 days a week, each session last 90 minutes over an 8-weeks period. SPSS version 20 was used for data analysis.

 

Results: The paired t test expressed that there are significant differences in performance (P<.001), satisfaction (P<.001) and depression (P<.001) regarding experimental group before and after intervention of the study. The independent t test suggests significant differences in performance (P<.001), satisfaction (P<.001) and depression (P<.001) among both groups after implementing exercise program.

 

Conclusion: Short-term resistance exercises can effectively reduce depression severity and improve performance and satisfaction among students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences.

 

Keywords: Resistance exercises, Occupational performance areas, Depression, Students