Shaghayegh Hashemi Motlagh; Zahra Alam; Amir Dana; Sima Mokari Saei
Abstract
Background: While the beneficial effects of PA on the mental and physical well-being of elderly individuals are recognized, there has been little focus on its effects on older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Therefore, the objective of this investigation was to examine the correlations between ...
Read More
Background: While the beneficial effects of PA on the mental and physical well-being of elderly individuals are recognized, there has been little focus on its effects on older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Therefore, the objective of this investigation was to examine the correlations between physical activity (PA) and depression, perceived health, physical function, and quality of life (QoL) among older women with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).Methods: This study employed a descriptive-correlation design. The statistical population comprised women with MCI (scoring 21 to 24 on the Mini–Mental State Examination) over 65 years residing in nursing homes in Tehran, Iran in 2023. The sample of this study consisted of 334 women (mean age=69.12±3.68) with MCI who were selected using a purposive sampling method. Standard tools were utilized for measuring PA, depression, balance, muscle strength, and QoL, respectively. Perceived health status was assessed using one item. Pearson correlation test and independent t-test were employed for data analysis.Results: The results showed that 66% of the entire sample suffered from depression. The participants engaged, on average, in 14.69 minutes of moderate physical activity (MPA) per day. Only 22% of the participants met the WHO’s guidelines of 30 minutes of MPA daily. It was found that higher MPA was significantly correlated with lower depression (P<0.001) and higher perceived health, physical function (both balance and muscle strength), and QoL (all P<0.001). On the other hand, higher sedentary time was significantly correlated with higher depression (P<0.001) and lower perceived health, physical function (both balance and muscle strength), and QoL (all P<0.001).Conclusions: The results suggested that strategies to improve health-oriented PA status in the elderly with MCI are necessary. In this regard, it is especially recommended that nurses plan recreational physical and sports activities for the elderly in groups or individually so that they can enjoy the benefits of PA.
Ali Khanzad; Sheida Ranjbari; Amir Dana; Shaghayegh Hashemi Motlagh
Abstract
Background: The relationship between mindfulness and the repercussions of obesity, particularly in girls, has received limited attention. Consequently, the current research aimed to explore the correlation between mindfulness and social anxiety, depression, self-efficacy, and physical activity (PA) participation ...
Read More
Background: The relationship between mindfulness and the repercussions of obesity, particularly in girls, has received limited attention. Consequently, the current research aimed to explore the correlation between mindfulness and social anxiety, depression, self-efficacy, and physical activity (PA) participation in obese teenage girls.Methods: The research was a descriptive-correlational study conducted from October 2022 to May 2023 in Tehran, Iran. The statistical population for this study comprised obese teenage girls aged 13 to 15 attending their first secondary school. The study sample consisted of 384 obese teenage girls selected through convenience sampling. Standard instruments were employed to assess mindfulness, social anxiety, depression, self-efficacy, and PA participation. Data analysis was performed using the Pearson correlation test and ANOVA, facilitated by SPSS version 26.Results: The results indicated that, on average, participants engaged in 13.01±3.02 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) daily. Furthermore, teenage girls exhibited relatively high levels of social anxiety (mean=39.79±8.85) and depression (mean=9.55±2.67). Moreover, there were significant correlations between mindfulness and reduced levels of social anxiety and depression (both P<0.001). Finally, significant associations were observed between mindfulness, higher self-efficacy, and increased PA (P<0.001).Conclusions: These findings suggested a link between mindfulness and reducing the adverse consequences of obesity in teenage girls. In this regard, reinforcing mindfulness practices can prove an effective way for reducing anxiety and depression. Such practices may encompass meditation, mindful breathing, mindful observation, attention to the surrounding environment, heightened awareness, and mindful listening.
Tayebeh Baniasadi; Sheida Ranjbari; Sedigheh Khajeaflatoon Mofrad; Saeed Ghorbani
Abstract
Background: Mental health is a common concern in old age. Given the increase of aging population, it is crucial to pay attention to factors influencing elderly people’s mental health. This research investigated the correlations between social support and physical activity (PA) with depression and ...
Read More
Background: Mental health is a common concern in old age. Given the increase of aging population, it is crucial to pay attention to factors influencing elderly people’s mental health. This research investigated the correlations between social support and physical activity (PA) with depression and happiness in older women with memory impairment.Methods: A descriptive-correlational approach was used in this study. The statistical population consisted of all elderly women (over 65 years old) residing in Golestan province, Iran, between February 2022 and June 2022. The sample included 384 women with mild dementia who were selected through purposive sampling. Research variables were measured using standard instruments. Data analysis was conducted using the Pearson correlation test and regression analysis in SPSS version 26.Results: The mean and standard deviation of social support, PA, depression, and happiness were 37.59±11.09, 1.06±1.17, 7.29±2.55, and 42.73±10.64, respectively. Regression analysis results demonstrated a negative and significant association between social support and depression (35.1%), while it showed a positive and significant association with happiness (16.5%). Furthermore, PA exhibited a negative and significant association with depression (40.9%) and a positive and significant association with joy (30.4%).Conclusions: The findings of this study can contribute to the development of more effective health and physical education programs targeting elderly individuals with memory impairment to improve their mental health.
Madeline A Foster; Lisa McDermott; Alec Knight
Abstract
Background: Each year, twice as many women than men are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). As there is no known cure for AD, preventing it has become a vital public health issue. One lifestyle intervention that may reduce the risk of AD is physical activity (PA). This scoping review aimed ...
Read More
Background: Each year, twice as many women than men are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). As there is no known cure for AD, preventing it has become a vital public health issue. One lifestyle intervention that may reduce the risk of AD is physical activity (PA). This scoping review aimed to examine the existing literature on PA and AD risk to identify whether PA has a sex-specific effect on AD risk in women.Methods: A scoping review was conducted based on PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Cochrane recommended databases, MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO were searched via Ovid between May and June 2022. Articles were screened at the title, abstract, and full-text level for inclusion criteria (female participants, results reported by sex, PA, or exercise reported separately from other variables, and participants with no known cognitive impairment). For each study, sample characteristics, PA and AD measures, follow-up times, and results were summarized.Results: Ten studies met the inclusion criteria, and their results were assessed for quality using the Cochrane GRADE tool. Most studies (80%) reported significant results for females. When broken down by sex, six studies reported differences in result significance with some studies finding that PA can reduce AD risk in women but not in men. Increased weekly PA sessions, duration, and intensity all significantly reduced AD risk for women.Conclusion: While there are some limitations, including reliance on self-report, short follow-up times, and variations in AD and PA measures, the results have important implications. Findings may facilitate the development of tailored interventions that target women with unique lifestyle recommendations and inspire future research on the specifics of PA type, timing, and duration.
Rozita Nourbakhsh; Aliasghar Ravasi; Rahman Soori
Abstract
Background: Exercise training and L-arginine are believed to have a major role in managing the hypertension and also their combination may cause further improvement in blood pressure. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effect of combined training with or without L-arginine ingestion ...
Read More
Background: Exercise training and L-arginine are believed to have a major role in managing the hypertension and also their combination may cause further improvement in blood pressure. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effect of combined training with or without L-arginine ingestion on the circulation of adropin, VEGFR-2, and nitric oxide (NO) in postmenopausal women with hypertension.Methods: The present study was a randomized double-blind placebo-L-arginine-controlled trial registered in Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials with the code of IRCT20210627051723N1. This work was conducted in the summer and autumn of 2021. We recruited 48 post-menopausal women with hypertension and assigned them randomly (choosing random numbers by participants) in four equal groups, namely training+Larginine (TL), training (T), L-arginine (L), placebo (P) groups. The study intervention (combined training, L-arginine, or both) continued for eight weeks. Before starting and after completing the intervention period, blood samples were collected and the levels of variables was measured via Elisa method. The SPSS version 24 and analysis of covariance test (ANCOVA), along with bonferroni post-hoc test were utilized for data analysis.Results: The obtained results represented a significant increase in the serum levels of adropin and VEGFR-2 in T and TL groups compared to those in P and L groups (p <0.001). Moreover, Nitric Oxide significantly increased in L (P=0.003), T (p <0.001), and TL (p <0.001) groups compared to P group. In addition, systolic blood pressure decreased significantly in T, L, and TL groups compared to that in P group (p <0.001), and in TL group compared to L (p <0.001) and T (P=0.048) groups. On the other hand, we observed a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure in L (P=0.002), T (p <0.001), and TL (p <0.001) groups compared to that in P group; the same trend was seen in TL group compared to L group (P=0.003).Conclusion: Combined training with or without L-arginine ingestion has positive effects by decreasing blood pressure, which was partly exerted by upregulation of adropin and VEGFR-2. Moreover, L-arginine supplementation was found to be associated with an increase in combined training effect in decreasing blood pressure.
Masoumeh Gholaman; Mandana Gholami; Mohammad Ali Azarbayjani; Hossein Abed Natanzi
Abstract
Background: Galectin-3 and pentraxin-3 are recognized as cardiovascular risk factors, levels of which change in the pathological conditions, including type 2 diabetes. The aim of present research was to investigate the high and moderate intensity aerobic training effects on galectin-3, pentraxin-3, and ...
Read More
Background: Galectin-3 and pentraxin-3 are recognized as cardiovascular risk factors, levels of which change in the pathological conditions, including type 2 diabetes. The aim of present research was to investigate the high and moderate intensity aerobic training effects on galectin-3, pentraxin-3, and some inflammatory mediators levels in type 2 diabetic women. Methods: Our study was a randomized clinical trial, conducted on the 36 type 2 diabetic women with an average age of 46.95±3.49 years old, randomly assigned to three equal groups, including control, continuous training with moderate-intensity (MICT), and high intensity interval training (HIIT) groups. Both MICT and HIIT program performed three sessions per week over a 12-week period. Training intensity in HIIT and MICT group was 90 and 60-70 percent of maximum heart rate, respectively. Blood samples at the baseline and after the 12-week training intervention were collected and the variables levels were measured via ELISA method. Repeated measures ANOVA test and Tukey post-hoc test were employed for data analysis. The research is documented in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (registration number: IRCT20200729048252N1). Results: Galectin-3 levels significantly decreased in HIIT and MICT groups (p <0.001). However, no significant differences were observed for Pentraxin-3 levels between different group (P=0.306), yet paired t test indicated that Pentraxin-3 levels significantly decreased in HIIT group (P=0.003). In addition, serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) significantly declined in HIIT and MICT groups (p <0.05). Conclusion: HIIT and MICT intervention results in a significant decrease in inflammatory mediators and HIIT protocol was not superior to MICT protocol for observed changes in inflammatory mediators.
Hashem Piri; Maryam Hajian; Seyyed Hossein Mirkarimpour; Rahman Sheikhhoseini; Mohammad Rahimi
Abstract
Background: Upper crossed syndrome (UCS) is believed to be a prevalent deformity among female beauticians. This study designed to investigate the effect of 12 weeks of corrective exercises on the postural angles, namely, forward shoulder, forward head, and kyphosis of female beauticians with UCS. Methods: ...
Read More
Background: Upper crossed syndrome (UCS) is believed to be a prevalent deformity among female beauticians. This study designed to investigate the effect of 12 weeks of corrective exercises on the postural angles, namely, forward shoulder, forward head, and kyphosis of female beauticians with UCS. Methods: In this clinical trial study, 40 females were selected through purposive sampling. This study was conducted in Tehran between September 2020 and March 2021. Photogrammetric method was employed to measure forward head and forward shoulder angles. Thoracic kyphosis angle was measured using flexible ruler. The participants were assigned to two groups employing simple randomization. The intervention group carried out corrective exercises for 12 weeks. Paired-sample t-test and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), at the significance level of p <0.05, were used for data analysis. The clinical trial registration number of this study is IRCT20180626040244N2. Results: The within group comparisons revealed significant changes in all of the postural variables (P=0.001), including forward head, forward shoulder, and thoracic kyphosis of the intervention group. The between group comparisons indicated that a 12-week corrective exercise program significantly decreased forward head (P=0.001) and shoulder (P=0.001), and thoracic kyphosis (P=0.001) angles. Conclusion: The substantial reduction in forward shoulder, forward head, and thoracic kyphosis angles after corrective exercises indicated the effectiveness of these exercises in correcting the postural abnormalities in the beautician females.
Arezu Farzaneh; Maryam Koushkie Jahromi; Mohsen Salesi; Robabeh Rostami
Abstract
Background: Menopausal symptoms severely affect a woman’s lifestyle and health. Lifestyle, including physical activity, is known to be an effective factor on the menopausal-associated symptoms. We conducted the present study to evaluate the effects of an eight-week Pilates training on menopausal-related ...
Read More
Background: Menopausal symptoms severely affect a woman’s lifestyle and health. Lifestyle, including physical activity, is known to be an effective factor on the menopausal-associated symptoms. We conducted the present study to evaluate the effects of an eight-week Pilates training on menopausal-related symptoms, including somatic, psychological and sexual symptoms, body mass index (BMI), and anxiety as possible effective factors on menopausal symptoms. Methods: This was an experimental study conducted in the summer of 2020. The participants in this study were 27 postmenopausal women (aged 60-65, BMI: 24-30) who participated in the study voluntarily. They were randomly divided into two groups of control (n=12) and exercise (n=15). The subjects in the training group participated in Pilates training for eight weeks, three sessions per week and each session lasted 75 minutes with progressive intensity. BMI was measured and the participants completed anxiety and depression questionnaires (HADS) and menopausal symptoms rating scale (MRS) before and after the exercises. We utilized paired t-test and analysis of co-variance (ANCOVA) to analyze the data. Results: BMI (P=0.023), anxiety (p <0.001), physical score (p <0.001), psychological score (P=0.001), and the total (p <0.001) score of menopausal symptoms reduced significantly following Pilates training compared to the control group. No significant changes were observed in the sexual symptoms of menopause following Pilates training compared to the control group (P=0.60). Conclusion: An eight-week Pilates training reduced most of the postmenopausal symptoms (somatic, psychological, and total) as well as potentially aggravating menopausal symptoms, including anxiety and BMI
Farideh Babakhani; Mona Heydarian; Mohamadreza Hatefi
Abstract
Background: patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most common knee injuries, which is caused by the abnormal position of patella. The present study was conducted to compare the effects of an eight-week training in both Total Resistance exercise (TRX) and physioball groups on the amount of ...
Read More
Background: patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most common knee injuries, which is caused by the abnormal position of patella. The present study was conducted to compare the effects of an eight-week training in both Total Resistance exercise (TRX) and physioball groups on the amount of pain and motor function of non-athletic women with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 30 non-athletic women suffering from patellofemoral pain syndrome were randomly divided into two groups. The first group performed TRX exercises (15 people), and the second group performed physioball exercises (15 people). Both groups received 3 practice sessions per week for a period of 8 weeks. The visual analog scale (VAS), pain scale and Kujala Patellofemoral questionnaire (KPQ) were employed before and after the exercise to assess the pain and motor function. Paired T-test and independent t-test were used. The significance level was considered as P≤0.05. Results: The results revealed that there was no significant difference between functional disability (P=0.14) before and after the exercise protocol (pre- and post-test) in the physioball group. Meanwhile, there was a significant difference in pain (P=0.028). The results for the TRX group indicated that there was a significant difference in pain (P=0.001) and functional disability (P=0.001) between pre- and post-test exercises. Conclusion: The findings of our study revealed that the eight weeks of the strength training program (TRX and physioball) might be beneficial in a conservative treatment plan for reducing the pain intensity and improving the functional disability for subjects with PFPS.
Mohammadreza Rezaeipour; Gennady Leonidovich Apanasenko
Abstract
Background: Waterobics is a physical exercise with very few effects on the joints, hence its attractiveness for weight loss in obese middle-aged people.Objectives: This study was intended to evaluate the body mass, body composition, and coronary risk profile in sedentary obese middle-aged women in response ...
Read More
Background: Waterobics is a physical exercise with very few effects on the joints, hence its attractiveness for weight loss in obese middle-aged people.Objectives: This study was intended to evaluate the body mass, body composition, and coronary risk profile in sedentary obese middle-aged women in response to exercise-related time (continuous and at intervals) in waterobics programs.Methods: This prospective experimental research was conducted in 2018. Forty women with sedentary lifestyles (mean age 50.7±4.7 years) were selected and distributed randomly into two groups: high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderateintensitycontinuous training (MICT). Both programs consisted of waterobics exercises with similar energy expenditures (1500 kcal per week), implemented over three 60-minute sessions per week for three months. Before and after the study, anthropometry,body composition, and coronary risk profile were assessed. Non-parametric Wilcoxon test was used for group comparison(before and after).Results: Before-after comparison of the parameters showed a significant decrease in body mass (-0.8 kg, P=0.04), BMI (-0.4 kg/m2, P=0.02), fatty mass (-0.6 kg, P=0.03), and hip circumference (-4.2 cm, P=0.04) of the MICT, and a significant reduction in fatmass (-0.7 kg, P=0.03) in the HIIT. No significant differences were observed concerning the T-C, LDL-C, and HDL-C between the MICT (respectively, P=0.23; P=0.1; P=0.08) and HIIT (respectively, P=0.1; P= 0.06; P=0.14) groups.Conclusion: Waterobics programs without nutritional monitoring showed moderate effects on the body mass and body composition of sedentary obese middle-aged women. The HIIT group exhibited better, yet insignificant, results with regards to the coronary risk profile.
Shervin Assari
Volume 6, Issue 3 , July 2019, , Pages 16-21
Abstract
Background: Minorities’ diminished returns (MDRs) refer to smaller protects health effects of socioeconomic status (SES) indicators for Blacks and other minority groups than Whites. Objectives: The current study aimed to explore Black-White differences in the association between educational attainment ...
Read More
Background: Minorities’ diminished returns (MDRs) refer to smaller protects health effects of socioeconomic status (SES) indicators for Blacks and other minority groups than Whites. Objectives: The current study aimed to explore Black-White differences in the association between educational attainment and exercise frequency among women in the US.
Methods: For the current study, we used the National Survey of American Life’s (NSAL) data, which included 3175womenwhowere either White (n = 876) or Black (n = 2299). The independent variable was educational attainment. The dependent variable was exercise frequency. Age, region, household income, financial distress, marital status, unemployment, and depression were the covariates. Race was the focal moderator. Linear regression was applied for data analysis.
Results: In the overall sample of women, high educational attainment was associated with higher exercise frequency (b = 0.07, 95% CI = 0.02 - 0.12). Race and educational attainment showed a significant interaction (b = -0.09, 95% CI = -0.19 - 0.00), suggestive of a smaller effect of education attainment on exercise frequency for Black women than White women. In race specific models, high educational attainment was associated with higher exercise frequency for White (b = 0.12, 95% CI = 0.04 - 0.20) but not Black (b = 0.03, 95% CI = -0.03-0.08) women.
Conclusions: In line with the past research on MDRs, White women gain more health from their educational attainment than Black women. It is not race or class but race and class that shape the health behaviors of American women.
Faegheh Dehganipour; Mohsen Salesi
Abstract
Background: Metabolic syndrome is considered a risk factor for many chronic diseases, such as type II diabetes and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The syndrome is the result of various factors, including poor nutritional diets, sedentary lifestyles, and genetic predisposition. Physical activity and good ...
Read More
Background: Metabolic syndrome is considered a risk factor for many chronic diseases, such as type II diabetes and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The syndrome is the result of various factors, including poor nutritional diets, sedentary lifestyles, and genetic predisposition. Physical activity and good nutrition can prevent metabolic syndrome.
Objectives: The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of continuous and discontinuous training on metabolic syndrome components in non-athlete, middle-aged woman.
Patients and Methods: Forty-five non-athlete women who met the study criteria voluntarily participated in this study. The participants were divided randomly into three groups: continuous, discontinuous, and control (n = 15 in each group). Twenty-four hours before the beginning of the training program, a blood sample was obtained from each participant in the fasting state .The two training groups participated in sports activities designed to produce a heart rate of 50 - 70 beats/minute for 8 weeks, three times a week, for 60 - 90 minutes. The continuous training group performed the activities in one session, and the discontinuous training group performed them in two sessions, for the same time and intensity. Twenty-four hours after the completion of the 8-week program, all the measurements were performed similar to the pretest phase. The data were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).
Results: The discontinuous training significantly decreased each participant’s weight (P = 0.04) and systolic blood pressure (BP) (P < 0.01), whereas it significantly increased their triglyceride (TG) (P < 0.01) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) levels (P < 0.01). However, there was no significant change in diastolic BP, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), or glucose. In the continuous training group, the TG level decreased significantly (P < 0.01).
Conclusions: This study demonstrated that a regular physical activity program in the form of discontinuous training improved metabolic syndrome indexes in non-athlete, middle-aged women. Discontinuous training seems to be an efficient, safe, and inexpensive way to reduce and prevent metabolic syndrome.
Najmeh Maharlouei
Raha Afshariani; Leila Malekmakan; Maryam Yazdankhah; Arghavan Daneshian; Mehrab Sayadi
Abstract
Background: Menarche is a woman’s first menstruation and is determined by multiple factors.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of exercise on the age of menarche in girls at guidance schools of Shiraz, Iran.
Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study attempted ...
Read More
Background: Menarche is a woman’s first menstruation and is determined by multiple factors.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of exercise on the age of menarche in girls at guidance schools of Shiraz, Iran.
Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study attempted to evaluate the effect of regular exercise on the age of menarche in relation to demographic data in 483 randomly selected girls from guidance school in Shiraz, Iran, using statistical analysis including independent t-test, variance analysis and linear regression tests.
Results: Participants were divided in two groups including 181 and 302 athletic and non-athletic girls, respectively. A statistically significant difference was found in the mean age at menarche between athletic 12.4 ± 0.9 SD and non-athletic girls 12.1 ± 1.0 SD years (P = 0.003). Linear regression indicated that mother’s age (P = 0.049) and exercise (P = 0.001) both have significant association with age at menarche.
Conclusions: The age at menarche for the athletic group was significantly delayed. Exercise and mother’s age were significantly associated with age at menarche, whereas no significant association was observed between age at menarche and weight, BMI, father’s age, and mother’s and father’s educational levels.
