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Background and Objective: Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] is a new cardiovascular risk factor and its concentration increase cardiovascular diseases, while physical activity decrease cardiovascular diseases. This study intend to investigate the effect of eight week walking program on lipoprotein (a) concentration in non-athlete iranian menopausal  women.

Materials and Methods: Twenty two healthy menopause women of 47-55 year of age any specific disorder were enrolled in this study. The subjects randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Anthropometric characteristics including height ,weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat percent and Waist-to-Hip ratio (WHR) and serum lipoprotein on fasting were measured pre and post-walking program. The data were compared using independent t-test, U mann witny and pearson correlation caefficeint was used for assessement of relation between lipoprotein (a) with anthropometric indexes.

Results: According to these results, there was a significant reduction of serum lipoprotein (a) (pre test12.5±4/1 post test 10.5±3md), WHR, BMI and body fat percent prior and after the training in experimental group (P<0.05) while non significant changes was observed in control group. Also, there was non significant relationship between lipoprotein (a) with Anthropometric indexes.

Conclusion: This study revealed that 8-week walking program had useful effects on menopausal women’ serum lipoprotein (a) concentration, WHR, BMI and body fat percent.

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Background and Objective: Neuropathy is a diabetic burden which can causes traumedous complications on affected indivitals. This study was done to compare the speed of walking, balance and proprioception of knee and ankle joints between type 2 diabetes and healthy subjects. Materials and Methods: This case – contorl study was carried out on 22 diabetic and 22 healthy subjects in Shiraz, Iran during 2010. Speed of walking, repositioning of some angles in knee and ankle joints and balance time (Tandem position) were measured for all subjects. Sensory neuropathy tested using neuropathy total symptom score-6 (NTSS-6). Results: There is no significant difference between two groups due to speed of walking, but mean time of balance in diabetic patients (32.01±38.03) was significantly less than healthy subjects (71.18±65.15). The average error in repositioning of joint angles in diabetic patients was more than healthy subjects (P<0.05). Conclusion: Balance time and walking speed is lower in diabetic patients which can be due to neuropathy.

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Background and Objective: Improving the ability to walk is often a key target for the treatment of abnormal gait in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (CP). One of the goals of orthotic rehabilitation is to improve walking in this field. The aims of this study was to design and manufacture the dynamic neoprene orthoses and evaluate its impact on the gait parameters in children with cerebral palsy. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was done on 12 children with spastic CP at University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, in Tehran, Iran during 2010-11. Initially neoprene dynamic orthosis is designed specifithy for each subject, this neoprene dynamic orthosis was used for six weeks and 6-8 hrs daily. For evaluating the walking speed and the gait variation, 10 meter walking test and visual analogue scale have been used. Modified Ashworth’s Scale and electro-goniometre were used to assess muscle spasticity and the flexion degrees of knee joint. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16, Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Paired t-tests. Results: The alteration of knee flexion angle, walking speed and walking distance following dynamic orthosis were -18.31±4.61 (degree), -0.50±1.82 (meter) and 4.18±1.51, respectively. The improvement in knee joint angle and walking following dynamic orthosis was significant (P<0.05), but the walking speed was not significant. Conclusion: This study showed that neoprene dynamic orthosis can improve knee flexion angle and walking distance among children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.

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Background and Objective: There are few studies that highlighted the effectiveness of exercise on unstable surfaces in eldely subjects. This study was done to evaluate the effect of training on stable and unstable surfaces on walking kinematic and timed-up-and go (TUG) test variables in elderly wemon.
Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 75 elderly women were non-randomly assigned to exercises and control groups. Cadence, step length, stride length, step width, walking speed, and TUG were measured. Gait kinematics (cadence, stride length, walking speed, step width) was recorded by an image recording camera. Gait kinematics variables were measured. The average of three repetitions was recorded for analysis for each subject.
Results: Exercise training had a significant effect on the step length, stride length, step width, walking speed, and time of TUG (P<0.05). Although, there was a significant difference in gait kinematics after exercise training, training on foam with (9cm height) created the highest mean difference in TUG, cadence, step length, and training on sand resulted in the greatest mean difference in step length and walking speed variables.
Conclusion: Training on stable and unstable surfaces improves walking kinematic and TUG time variables in elderly wemon.

 

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Background and Objective: Genu valgum is one of the most common lower limb malformations that affects on walking mechanics. This study was done to evaluate the effect of corrective exercise with Thera-band on the lower limb muscles’ co-contraction in males with genu valgum during walking.
Methods: In this clinical trial study, 24 male students with genu valgus with age range of 20-30 years were randomly divided into two control (n=12) and intervention (n=12) groups. Using the caliper, the intensity of the genu valgum was measured by assessing the distance between the medial malleolus of the subjects. Corrective exercises were performed for 8 weeks using Thera-band in interventional group. The electrical activity of selected muscles was recorded by electromyography system (biometrics ltd, UK).
Results: In the interventional group, the knee joint flexor/extensor directed co-contraction was increased significantly during the heel contact phase in the post-test than that in the pre-test (P<0.05). There was also a significant increase in knee joint general co-contraction during heel off phase (P<0.05). In the interventional group, directed co-contraction of vastus lateralis / vastus medialis muscles during the swing phase was significantly increased during the post-test in compared to the pre-test (P<0.05). During post-test, knee joint flexor/extensor directed co-contraction during the heel, knee joint general
co-contraction during heel off phase and directed co-contraction of vastus lateralis / vastus medialis muscles during the swing phase were more in the interventional group in compared to control group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The increase of general co-contraction in the knee joint during the heel off phase reflects an improvement in activity of the knee support muscles after corrective exercises and increases balance and stability. There was also an increase in the knee joint flexor / extensor direction co-contraction, which increase the distribution of the load and pressure between the femur and tibia in the knee joint.

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Background and Objective: One of the ways to correct kyphosis is to use braces. This study was done to determine the effects of two types of simple and sensor thoracolumbosacral braces on ground reaction force components during walking in males with kyphosis.
Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 15 males with kyphosis did three walking trials on the force platform without a brace, with a simple brace and with a sensor brace. Ground reaction force data were collected using Bertec force plates.
Results: There was no difference in peal forces, free moment and loading rate values during walking with and without braces.
Conclusion: Using a brace does not affect walking kinetics in males with kyphosis.
 

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Background and Objective: Individuals with a history of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury are at a higher risk of re-injury compared to healthy individuals. ACL-injured patients exhibit weaker longitudinal arches and increased foot pronation compared to healthy individuals. This study aimed to determine the effect of short-term use of anti-pronation insoles on plantar pressure variables following ACL reconstruction (ACLR) with a pronated foot during gait.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 15 male participants who had undergone ACLR with a pronated foot (mean age= 23.2±4.5 years) and 15 healthy males (mean age= 22.7±4.3 years) in Ardabil, Iran during 2022. Plantar pressure values during gait with and without the use of anti-pronation insoles were recorded and compared using a foot scanner (sampling rate: 300 Hz).
Results: The effect of the group factor on the big toe plantar pressure variable was statistically significant (P<0.05). Pairwise comparison results demonstrated a significant increase in pressure in the ACLR group (154.63±41.71 N/cm²) compared to the healthy group (126.54±26.57 N/cm²) (P<0.05). Intragroup comparison results revealed a significant decrease in pressure on the second to fifth toes (215.73±60.74 N/cm²) and the first plantar (420.58±107.56 N/cm²) when using anti-pronation insoles compared to the non-insole condition (the second to fifth toes (201.57±76.21 N/cm²) and the first plantar (400.78±118.20 N/cm²) in the ACL reconstruction group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The use of anti-pronation insoles can effectively reduce plantar pressure after ACLR in individuals with a pronated foot during gait.