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Background : With respect to the importance of prevention on disease process and also bear in mind the fact of leshmaniasis as an endemic disease in Kashan, teachers education could play an utmost role in the process of disease control. Thus their knowledge towards the leshmaniasis should be considered.

Materials and Methods : It was a quasi experimental study. 1300 teachers had entered the pretest, among whom, 776 have continued their cooperation and took part in post test. Their knowledge was evaluated using 16 criteria. Their knowledge was reevaluated one month late r following they have received a training pamphlet. Data analysis was performed using Mc Nemar test. Meanwhile, the association between age, sex, marital status, level of education, etc with knowledge was evaluated.

Results : Of 776 teachers, 462 were primary school and 314 were guidance school teachers. The level of knowledge was increased from 77.8% to 86.9%. This increment was statistically significant on all criteria. The least knowledge was towards the etiology of leshmaniasis (30.2%), however, following the training material this knowledge was improved to 61.9%.

Conclusion : Training materials can be helpful to promote teachers knowledge. Similar activities are highly recommended.

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Background : Oxyuriasis and giardiasis are common intestinal infections in students. Prior investigators have proposed the role of teachers in preventing these problems. The present study was conducted to determine the effects of health training on teachers' knowledge of oxyuriasis and giardiasis prevention in Kashan in 2000.

Materials and methods : For this quasi-experimental study, knowledge of 256 teachers towards the nature, transmission and prevention of oxyuriasis and giardiasis was assessed before the training via a questionnaire, then, one month later, after the training, their knowledge was reassessed. Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests were used for data analysis.

Results : Knowledge score of teachers' towards the nature, transmission and prevention of oxyuriasis and giardiasis prior the training intervention were 3.6±1.1, 3.6±1.2, and 3.4±1.0 respectively. These figures have changed to 4.3±0.9, 1.1±0.1, and 3.9±4.0 following the training respectively (p<0.00001). Training has increased both male and female teachers' knowledge (p<0.00001).

Conclusion : Health training has improved knowledge of Kashan teachers' towards the nature, transmission and prevention of oxyuriasis and giardiasis. We recommend continued medical and health education for teachers

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Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) damage is the most common injury of knee. It can change gait kinematics. Neuromuscular training and perturbation treatment programs are supposed to be effective in modifying gait kinematics of patients with ACL damage. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of modified perturbation training protocol on gait kinematics in ACL deficient patients.

Materials and Methods: Ten professional male athletes, between 18 and 45 years, with at least 6 and at most 24 months history of unilateral ACL rupture were enrolled in the study. Kinematics data of hip, knee and ankle joints were recorded using electrogoniameter device during walking before and after ten sessions of perturbation training. IKDC Subjective and Lysholm questionnaires scores were analyzed before and after training.

Results: IKDC Subjective and Lysholm questionnaires scores significantly improved after treatment (P=0.005). Hip range of motion (P=0.02), peak flexion of hip (P=0.02), hip angle at stance phase (P=0.02) and peak dorsiflexion of ankle (P=0.03) were significantly increased after training.

Conclusion: Perturbation training probably affects neuromuscular control and modifies feed-forward control, thus it can improve compensatory patterns of ACL deficient patients during gait. ACL deficient patients may adapt their problem with further use of hip joint and increasing hip flexion.

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Background: The neurophysiological mechanism for increasing strength by resistance training has not been understood precisely. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of 8 weeks resistance training (RT) on A12 acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in rat muscle.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 16 male rats were randomly assigned into two groups: resistance training and control. The 8 weeks (5 sessions/week) resistance training consisted of climbing (3 sets of 4 repeats with a 3 min rest between the sets) a ladder (1 meter height consisted of 26 stairs) carrying a weight 30% of their body weight (suspended from the tail) in the first week and increased to 200% of body weight in the last week. Forty-eight hours after the last training session, the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) muscles of animals were isolated from the posterior lateral side of hindlimb under sterile conditions. Finally, AChE activity was measured for both groups.

Results: No significant difference was seen in AChE activity in FHL muscles of the RT group (resistance: 1.31±0.48 vs. control: 1.01±0.29, P= 0.226).

Conclusion: It seems that resistance training can not significantly increase AChE activity, as an acetylcholine release marker.

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Background: Recent studies on cardiovascular risk factors have been focused on the new markers of inflammatory diseases such as C-reactive protein (CRP). This study aimed to examine the effect of aerobic activities such as running on CRP level in overweight female students.

Materials and Methods: In this study, 26 moderately obese female students (mean body weight 82.5±5.6 kg, height 166±6.4cm, age 21.2±2.1 years and BMI ≥ 28.4 kg/m2) were selected purposefully. Participants were divided into the experimental and control groups. Training program which was performed in two sessions per week for eight consecutive weeks was consisted of incremental aerobic exercise with determined heart rate monitored by a polar watch. Post-test blood sample and anthropometric measures were repeated 48 hours after the last training session similar to the pretest conditions.

Results: Results indicated that 8 weeks of high-intensity interval training had a significant effect on decreasing the CRP level in obese girls (P=0.0001). Moreover, a significant difference was seen between the control and experimental groups in mean CPR values (P=0.047), while no significant difference was seen between the pre and post tests in the control group (P=0.28).

Conclusion: Considering the strong association between the inflammatory indices and the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, every factor that decreases these indices can reduce the cardiovascular complications.

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Background: Falling is a common serious medical condition that affects the health of elderly persons and increases the health care costs. It also can lead to physical, psychological, social, and economic outcomes and even death. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the effect of Pilates training on psychological and social factors related to falling in elderly women in Shahrekord during 2011-2012.

Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 30 elderly women (age range, 70.23±5.9) referred to Farhikhtegan rehabilitation center in Shahrekord were randomly allocated into the experimental and control groups. To evaluate the psychological and social factors, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and WHOQOL-BREF (WB) questionnaire were used, respectively. Then the experimental group received a 12-week Pilates training exercise.

Results: Results showed a significant difference between the two groups regarding the depression (P=0.007) and quality of life in both the physical (P=0.0001) and environmental (P=0.017) dimensions.

Conclusion: Pilates training sessions can reduce the depression level and improve the quality of life in the elderly. It can therefore help them play a more significant role in the society and be more interactive in terms of social and cultural aspects.

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Background: Omega (ω)-3 fatty acids have positive effects on different body systems such as cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, and skeletal systems. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of ω-3 supplementation on pulmonary function in cadets participated in army ranger training.

Materials and Methods: In this study, 41 army cadets (mean age, 18.6±‌0.9 years) were randomly allocated to the supplement (S, n=21) and placebo (P, n=20) groups. The two groups participated in army classic military training 4-5 days/week for 8 consecutive weeks. The S and P groups were asked to consume 1000 mg/day ω-3 and placebo per day for 8 weeks, respectively. Pulmonary function was assessed at the first and end of the training.

Results: Results indicated a significant difference in FEV1, FVC, MVV, FEF25-75%, FIV1 at the end of the training compared to those obtained at the beginning in both groups however, the changes were markedly greater in the S group (P≤0.05).

Conclusion: It can be concluded that the supplementation of ω-3 (1000 mg/d) can induce positive alteration in different pulmonary function indices.

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Background: Epilepsy is one of the most prevalent brain disorders affecting 0.5-1% of people in different societies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of coping skills training on reducing stress in patients with epilepsy.

Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial study, 60 patients with epilepsy were selected randomly from a list of the members of Isfahan Epilepsy Association in the second half of 2011. The participants were divided into the experimental and control groups (n=30 in each group). The training and practice of stress management were conducted one two - hour session per week for eight weeks . Before and after the training and practice, Lazarus-Folkman coping questionnaire and Depression, Anxiety, Stress scale (DASS) were completed for both groups.

Results: The results showed that 60% and 53% of the cases were women in the experimental and control groups, respectively. The age of most respondents in the experimental (36.7%) and control (30%) groups was in the range of 18-24 years. Results revealed that coping skills training can reduce tension in patients with epilepsy (P<0.01). Moreover, coping skills training significantly affected all subscales of coping strategies scores except for avoidance, self-control and responsibility.

Conclusion: Findings showed that coping skills training can be recommended as an add-on treatment plan in patients suffering from epilepsy.

 

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Background: Leptin as an adipokine via its direct metabolic effects on peripheral tissues responses to various endocrine paths and regulates them. Chemerin is also a newly known adipokine that regulates the adipogenesis and metabolism of adipocytes. This study aimed to examine the effect of endurance training (ET) on leptin and chemerin adipokines in inactive lean men.
Materials and Methods: In a semi-experimental study, 20 inactive lean men were randomly divided into the experimental and control groups. General characteristics of the subjects, serum levels of leptin and chemerin (using ELISA method) were assessed before and after the training. Blood sampling was performed after the twelve-hours fasting, at 8 A.M. An ET protocol consisted of twelve weeks pedaling on cycle ergometer (3 sessions per week, intensity 60-70% of the reserved heart rate, duration of each session 20-40 min).
Results: After an ET period, no significant changes were found in body weight, BMI, and body fat percent (P>0.05), while maximal oxygen uptake was improved (P=0.004). Moreover, the ET had no significant effects on serum concentrations of chemerin and leptin (P>0.05).
Conclusion: Performing a twelve-week ET has no significant effect on serum concentrations of leptin and chemerin in inactive lean men. It seems that this lack of change is likely the result of consistency of weight and fat mass following the training period. Obviously, cardio-respiratory function of the subjects was improved following the twelve-week endurance training.

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Background: Resistance-type exercise training has been shown to represent an effective interventional strategy to increase muscle mass, strength, and function in diabetes. The myokines released from skeletal muscle have multiple metabolic and hypertrophic effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the resistance training has an effect on IL-6 and TNF-α inflammatory cytokines in skeletal muscle of diabetic rats.
Materials and Methods: Rats were divided into the control, training, diabetic control and diabetic training groups. Training groups performed the resistance training consisted of climbing a ladder (1 m) with increasing weight added to the tail. The IL-6, and TNF-α levels were measured in extensor digitorum longus (EDL) skeletal muscle using the ELIZA.
Results: The results of this study showed that the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α in EDL skeletal muscle was increased in diabetic rats. Resistance training did not change the levels of inflammatory cytokines in EDL skeletal muscle. Moreover, a significant correlation was found between the cytokines and glucose levels.
Conclusion: Resistance training had no significant effect on the level of inflammatory cytokines in skeletal muscle of diabetic rats. The increased level of inflammatory cytokines and myokines could act as a compensatory mechanism for skeletal muscle in diabetes. It seems that the training exercise alone could not change the myokine level for skeletal muscle.

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Background: Cardiovascular diseases cause extensive deaths throughout the world because of the increase in the concentration of cholesterol in blood plasma in the form of low-density lipoproteins (LDL). This study aimed to examine whether a single bout of exhaustive aerobic physical activity has a significant positive effect on apolipoproteins A and B, LDL and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels.
Materials and Methods: In this study, 26 male college students were randomly assigned to the experimental (n=13) and control (n=13) groups. The experimental group further performed 20 minutes of running exercise with their highest speed and power in an indoor gymnasium. Blood samples were collected three times during the exercise. The first sample was collected prior to the start of the exercise. The second and third blood samples were collected immediately and 24 hours after the termination of the exercise. Blood sample in the control group was collected only in the first stage and fasting state.
Results: There was a significant difference between the mean serum apolipoproteins A and B following the first stage and after the termination of the exercise (P=0.001). Moreover, a significant difference was observed between the mean serum triglyceride concentration of the subjects (P=0.001) and the mean serum concentration of HDL-C and LDL-C in the first and second stages (P=0.0001).
Conclusion: It can be concluded that even a single bout of aerobic exercise performed with high density lasting 20 minutes can lead to a significant change in mean values of apolipoproteins A and cholesterol with high density as well as other serum lipid variables.

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Background: In children and adolescents, the anabolic effects of exercise are mediated through growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effects of combined endurance-resistance versus resistance-endurance exercises on GH and IGF-I in non-athlete prepubertal girls.

Materials and Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 16 prepubertal girls aged 9-11 years old, after homogenization, were randomly allocated into two equal groups (n=8): the endurance-resistance and resistance-endurance. Activities in both groups included combined endurance (20 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise with 60%-70% of the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) on a treadmill)-resistance (biceps, triceps, chest press, butterfly, knee extension and flexion, moderate leg press with 60% of 1-RM, and 1 set of 10 repetitions) and resistance-endurance training with different orders. Before, immediately after and 2 hours after the exercise, blood samples were taken and GH and IGF-1 levels were measured.

Results: Immediately after the training, in both group, GH levels (3.39 ng/ml vs 1.8 ng/ml) were significantly increased compared to the resting condition (0.77 ng/ml vs 0.72 ng/ml) (P=0.017). However, GH levels (0.97 ng/ml vs 0.18 ng/ml) were significantly decreased in both groups after 2 hours (P=0.012). The GH levels in the endurance-resistance group were higher compared to the resistance-endurance group. Changes in IGF-1 levels in both training groups before, immediately after and 2 hours after the training did not show significant differences.

Conclusion: It seems that combined endurance-resistance training is more appropriate option for non-athlete prepubertal girls.

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Background: Adipolin (CTRP12) is a novel anti-inflammatory adipocytokine secreted from adipose tissue, which improves insulin sensitivity. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of aerobic training on serum adipolin levels and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) in overweight men.

Materials and Methods: In this semi experimental study, which was conducted in one of the sport complexes of Khorramabad in spring 2014, 26 sedentary overweight men (body mass index (BMI)>25 Kg/m2, age range 35-50 years) were selected and randomly allocated into the experimental (n=13) and control (n=13) groups. Subjects in the experimental group participated in 10 weeks of aerobic training at 50%-70% of the maximal heart rate, 30-45 minutes per session and three sessions per week. Levels of adipolin, insulin and fasting glucose and anthropometric indices were measured before and 72 hours after the last training session.

Results: Serum levels of adipolin, insulin, fasting glucose and HOMA-IR did not significantly change following 10 weeks of aerobic training (P>0.05). However, weight (P=0.001), BMI (P=0.001) and fat percentage (P=0.001) were decreased significantly. Furthermore, changes in adipolin levels following 10 weeks of aerobic training were significantly correlated with changes in BMI (P=0.028, r=0.606).

Conclusion: A 10-week aerobic training program has no effects on serum levels of adipolin in sedentary overweight men and these findings are in accordance to insulin resistance changes.

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Background: Evidence supports the systemic inflammation in obesity and insulin resistance. Apelin is secreted by adipose tissue and plays an important role in the inflammation process. The present study aimed to examine the effect of 8 weeks aerobic training on plasma Apelin in male rats treated with Nitro-L-Arginine-Methyl Ester (L-NAME).

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study male Wistar rats (n=24, age 20 months) were randomly assigned into four groups: Control, Training, TrainingS+L-NAME and L-NAME. An aerobic training protocol was performed for eight weeks, 5 times a week with an intensity of 75-80% of maximal oxygen consumption. The rats were sacrificed 72 hours after the last exercise session and blood samples were collected. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test at P<0.05 significancy level.

Results: The results showed that plasma Apelin level did not change significantly after eight weeks of aerobic training compared to the Control group. However, the results showed that there was a significant difference in plasma Apelin between L-NAME and Control group (P<0.003). In addition, the results showed no significant difference between the insulin level and glucose in four groups.

Conclusion: It seems that with increasing age plasma Apelin level is not affected by aerobic exercise. However, nitric oxide inhibitors can reduce the plasma Apelin level.

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Background: This study evaluated the efficacy of concurrent training compared to resistance training on femoral bone mineral density (BMD) and mechanical strength of osteoporotic male rats.

Materials and Methods: Eight out of 40 male Wistar rats were separated as healthy subjects. Then osteoporosis was induced in the remaining rats by the injection of ethanol (20%, i.p) for 3 weeks. Osteoporotic rats divided into 4 groups: Baseline, Resistance training, Concurrent training and Control. The resistance training protocol consisted of 8 series of climbs on a 110-cm vertical ladder angled at 80º with weights tied to the animal tail. The overload for first and eighth series was set at 50% and 100% of the total body mass of the animal, respectively. Concurrent group completed a combination of both resistance and endurance treadmill trainings (60 min/day, speed: 12 m/min). The left excised femur of the animals were scanned for BMD measurement and examined by three point bending test to obtain the maximum force and stiffness.

Result: Two Resistance training and Concurrent training groups had significantly increased maximum force, stiffness and BMD compared to Control group (P=0.019). Compared to resistance group, the Concurrent group showed a positive effect on bone mechanical strength (P=0.039) with no significance difference in BMD (P=0.890).

Conclusion: The results of this study shows that the combination of resistance and endurance exercise may have a synergistic effect on increasing the mechanical strength of osteoporotic femoral bone in male rats compared to resistance training alone.

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Background: Although less is known about the molecular mechanisms responsible for its genetic compatibility, regular training is identified as a non-pharmacological treatment for obesity and type-II diabetes. This study aimed to determine the effect of a 3 months aerobic training on pancreatic TCF7L2 expression and glycemic profile in type II diabetic rats.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, type II diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats (n=16, weight: 220±30 g) by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin- nicotinamide. Animals were randomly divided into Exercise (n=8) and Control (n=8) groups. Exercise group, but not Control group, was completed a 3 month aerobic training (3 sessions/week). Forty-eight hours after the last exercise session, the relative expression of pancreatic TCF7L2, fasting glucose and serum insulin were measured in two groups.

Results: Compared to Control rats, exercise resulted in a significant decrease in fasting glucose in Exercise group (P=0.001). Serum insulin was increased significantly by aerobic training in Exercise group compared to Control one (P=0.014). However, pancreatic TCF7L2 expression   did not change by aerobic training (P=0.876).

Conclusion: Based on these data, while we concluded that a long-term aerobic training effectively improves the glycemic profile and insulin concentration of type II diabetic rats, such improvements cannot be attributed to TCF7L2 expression in pancreatic tissue.

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Background: Exercise plays an important role in improving cardiovascular function. Due to the increasing tendency of children to the soccer the purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of a 12 week plyometric and soccer training on the cardiac structure and function of healthy 13-15 years old boys.  

Materials and Methods: This quasi- experimental study was conducted with a pre-test and post-test design. The participants (n=20) were selected among the non-athletic healthy boys (13-15 years) from Miyaneh (East Azerbaijan, Iran). After taking informed consent the participants were voluntarily participated in two equal Training and Control groups. The participants in the Exercise group performed a 12 week plyometric and soccer training. Under basic conditions and after a 12 week follow-up using the echocardiography both groups were examined for left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD), left ventricular end-systolic dimension (LVESD), left ventricular end diastolic posterior wall dimension­ (LVPWd), inter-ventricular septal end diastolic dimension (IVSd), stroke volume (SV), ejection fraction (EF) and cardiac output (CO).

Results: After a 12 week training program the LVEDD, LVPWd and SV were significantly increased (P<0.05).  The EF in the Exercise group had no increase. Moreover, LVESD and IVSd were similar in both groups. 

Conclusion: A twelve week plyometric and soccer training in 13-15 years old boys result in significant changes in some cardiac structural and functional indexes.

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Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the response of glycemic index and liver tissue damage to aerobic training along with coriander seed extract in Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
Materials and Methods: diabetic male Wistar rats (n=40, average age: 12 weeks; weight: 130±10 g) were randomly divided into four groups: Control, Extract, Exercise and Exercise+Extract. The diabetes model in rats was induced with a single injection of Streptozotocin-(60 mg/kg) dissolved in citrate buffer (0.05 mole). The high glucose level of 250 mg/dl is defined as the diabetic criterion. The extract was administered orally (150 mg/kg/day). The exercise program was six weeks of aerobic exercise, 5 times a week with 50-55% of maximal oxygen consumption.  
Results: The application of aerobic training followed by coriander seed extract in diabetic rats had a significant effect on total serum glucose (P=0.002), AST (P=0.001), ALT (P=0.005) and ALP (P=0.033); however, it had no significant effect on insulin level (P=0.656) and insulin-resistance (P=0.458).
Conclusion: It seems that the combination of a regular aerobic exercise and coriander seed extract in diabetic rats had beneficial effects on liver tissue damage and possibly can prevent and improve liver tissue damage via the  reduction of the of some liver tissue damage markers.