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Background&Objective: Dyspnoea and fatigue caused considerable impairment in the functional performance and quality of life in HF patients. The purpose of this study were to determine efficacy of home walking exercise program on functional performance and quality of life in patients with heart failure. Materials&Methods: This study was qusiexperimental trial that assessed efficacy of home-based exercise program on the functional performance and quality of life in patients with HF in the Ahvaz city (2005). In this study 60 patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II and III heart failure divided two groups training (n=30) and control (n=30). Material or measurements was demographic characteristics form, Minnesota quality of life check list and timed exercise program form. Exercise training in the patients would be performed tree day per week for 8 weeks. Determination quality of life measures by Minnesota check list would be performed in both the training and control groups at entry and after 8 weeks. Also 6 minute walking tests for determination functional performance would be performed in both groups at entry and after 8 weeks. Ultimately data analysis by SPSS softward. Results: results showed that significant difference existed between mean walking distance on the 6MWT at entry and after 8 weeks in the training group (373.86 to 412.30 m, P<0.05), that no significance was seen between control group (376.79 to 377.63 m). Also significant difference exists between mean quality of life scores at entry and after 8 weeks in the training group (52.32 to 43.80), that no significance was seen between control group (52.43 to 52.50). Conclusion: This study showed that home-based exercise program affected on functional performance and quality of life in HF patients. Its accepted. Therefore exercise training can be used as a therapeutic approach in these patients, because not only promotes quality of life but also improve the functional performance.

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Background and Objective: Cervical stabilization training is a method of exercise which is designed to improve the mechanisms by which the cervical spine maintains a stable, injury-free state. The aim of this study was to compare effectiveness of muscle stabilization training with dynamic exercises on the chronic neck pain and disability. Materials and Methods: In this double-blind clinical trail study twenty-six patients with chronic neck pain were recruited. Subjects were randomly assigned to either a stabilization (n=13) or a dynamic exercises group (n=13). Before and after intervention, pain was assessed with visual analog scale (ordinal) and Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPNPQ), disability (ordinal) with Neck Disability Index (NDI), neck muscles strength (bar) using Dynatest and cervical ranges of motion (degrees) with specific neck goniometer. A 24 session exercise program which lasted 12 weeks, two sessions per week, and 45 minutes per session was performed for both groups. Independent t-test or Mann-Whitney U and paired t-test or Wilcoxon were used for comparison between the pretreatment and post treatment test results between groups and within groups, respectively. Results: The mean neck pain (NPNPQ) decreased from 18.23±0.77 to 7.54±4.39 in the stabilization group and from 18.31±3.99 to 11.85±3.89 in the dynamic group (P<0.05). The mean disability (NDI) decreased from 22.69±4.99 to 8.23±4.09 in the stabilization group and from 22.23±4.88 to 14.92±5.54 in the dynamic group (P<0.05). After treatment, neck muscles strength and range of extension increased and both neck pain and disability decreased in the stabilization group compared with the dynamic ones (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between two groups regarding flexors and left lateral flexors strength and ranges of flexion, right and left lateral flexion. Conclusion: This study showed that neck specific stabilization and dynamic exercises increase, range of motion, decrease pain and disability. Also specific stabilization exercies was more useful than dynamic procedure.

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Background and Objective: Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease and associated with degeneration of the joint cartilage. Its high prevalence, particulary in the elderly, and the high rate of disability related to disease make it a leading cause of disability. The symptoms of osteoarthritis are pain, morning stiffness and joint limited motion. This study was carired out to compare the effects of physical modalities and home based exercise training on symptoms and function of knee osteoarthritis. Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial study, fourty patients with knee osteoarthritis according to the American college of rheumatology (ACR) criteria randomly divided into two treatment groups. The physical modality group (A) received TENS, US and Hot pack at pain areas. The exercise group (B) received isometric exercise of the knee. Each group received 3 treatment sessions per week for 4 weeks. Evaluating measuring tools were pain intensity (based on Visual Analogue Scale: VAS) and function was measured with koos questionnare. Results: Improvement in pain, quality of life, symptoms, sports and reduction, in pain intensity on VAS in the physical modality group after treatment were seen (P<0.05). Also significant improvement in symptoms and quality of life observed in the exercise group. Improvement in activity of daily life found in the physical modality group in comparison with exercise group (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that physical modality and exercise training reduce pain and improve quality of life, activity of daily life and sport in patients with the same rate. While activity of daily life improve more in physical modality method.

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Background and Objective: Fibrinogen, an inflammatory marker as well as a fundamental part of the coagulation cascade, is suggested to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and complications of atherothrombotic diseases. This study was carried out to assess the comparison of acute aerobic and resistance training method on plasma fibrinogen concentration in young women. Materials and Methods: This semi-experimental study was done on twenty trained volunteer women students, which was selected objectively, and availability. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups of aerobic (n=10) and resistance training (n=10). Aerobic group performed exhaustive workout program on treadmill intensity 65 to75% of Vo2max on treadmill. The resistance group completed three sets of 5-7 repetitions of six exercises at an intensity corresponding to 80% of 1RM. Following 12 to 14 hours of nightly fasting, venous blood samples (5 cc) were collected pre, immediately after exercise and after 60 min of recovery and analyzed for fibrinogen content. Participants were matched according to anthropometric measurements, age, fat percentage and Vo2max. Data tested by using independent t, repeated measures analysis of variance and post-hoc test least significant difference (LSD) (P≤0.05). Results: In both the aerobic and resistance training groups, fibrinogen levels increased immediately after exercise and remained higher than baseline levels during recovery. This changes were significant only in aerobic group (P<0.05). Resistance training increased significantly the fibrinogen levels immediately after exercise than aerobic exercise (P<0.035). Conclusion: It can be concluded that the exhaustive aerobic exercise may induce slightly increase the fibrinogen levels in comparison with resistance training at intensity corresponding to 80% of 1RM.

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Background and Objective: Cardiovascular diseases are the most significant factors leading to death. This study was done to determine the effect of eight weeks aerobic training on level serum lipid and lipoprotein in non athletic women.

Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was carried out on 30 non athletic women. Subjects were devided into control and experimental groups through gained Vo²max. HDL-c, total cholesterol (TC), LDL-c, VLDL-c, RF (TC/HCL) and subdermal fat percent were evaluted perior and after training for eight weeks as follow: three session in each weeks with one hour aerobic training in each session. Data analyzed using SPSS-14 and independent and dependent T student tests.

Results: The significant reduction of RF, TC and percent of subdermal fat were observed in experimental group after training in comparison with prieor phase (P<0.05). Significant reduction of RF, LDL-C, TC and subdermal fat were observed in experimental group in comparison with contols after training (P<0.05). The increase of HDL-c and reduction of TG and VLDL-c were observed in experimental group compared to control but these differences were not significant.

Conclusion: This study showed that aerobic training reduce total cholesterol, LDL-c, RF and percent of subdermal fat in non athletic women.

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Background and Objective: Adiponectin is an adipocyte-secreted hormone. Low levels of Adiponectin may indicate the insulin resistance and development of diabetes. The regular exercise therapy induces insulin resistance to be reduced. Glucose uptake increase in muscles, increased adiponectin levels and decreased of HbA1c in diabetic patients. This study was designed to evaluated the effect of down-hill and up-hill running exercises on the adiponectin and serum glucose in type-2 diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial study was conducted on 28 patients (13 male and 15 female), age 40 to 60 years, with type-2 diabetes, in neuromuscular rehabilitation research center, Semnan, Iran during 2009. Participants were assigned randomly in one of the two experimental groups, eccentric or concentric exercise using treadmill. Before and after control and intervention period, glucose, HbA1c and adiponectin serum were measured in both groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS-18, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Repeated Measures ANOVA, Tukey and independent t tests. Results: Eccentric and concentric exercise significantly decreased glucose, HbA1c and also increased adiponectin levels (P<0.05) in type-2 diabetic patients. However, eccentric exercise also significantly reduced glucose and HbA1c and increased adiponectin levels compared to the concentric exercise (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that eccentric exercise are more effective than concentric exercise to reduce and control the blood glucose level and improve serum adiponectin in type-2 diabetes mellitus patients.

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Background and Objective: Obesity and saturated fat diet have a negative effect on plasma lipoproteins. The best therapeutic regiment for the treatment of obesity and reduction of serum lipoproteins is a diet containing non-saturated fatty acids accompanied with aerobic exercise. This study was carried to evaluate the effect of 8 weeks aerobic training and peanut consumption on serum Lipoproteins levels in overweight and obese men. Materials and Methods: This semi-experimental study was done on 36 obese males with age of 41.82±3.4yr, BMI: 32.38±2.50 kg/m2 in North of Iran during 2009. Subjects were divided in three equal groups: aerobic interval training, peanut consumption aerobic, interval training and control. peanut consumption Training group were consumed 50gr peanuts daily. Prior and after training period, serum lipoproteins levels of subjects were evaluated. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16, ANOVA and LSD tests. Results: There was a significant differences between the reduction of total mean serum cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoproteins, high density lipoproteins in experiment group II (aerobic interval training and peanut) compare to other groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: Aerobic interval training plus peanut regiment reduce lipoprotein and specifically triglyceride and low-density lipoproteins in overweight and obese men.

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Free radicals are unstable molecules in reaction with other molecules lead to a variety of injuries and illnesses. However, to prevent the injuries, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants react with free radical in various forms. Free radicals and antioxidant enzyme acts by various mechanisms, although age, gender and physical activity affects on these reactions. Different responses and adaptation are experienced to oxidative stress among women and men, young, elderly, subjects with physical fitness and untrained subjects. The present article reviewed the effect of oxidative stress due to exercise-induced adaptations.

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Background and Objective: Accumulating evidence indicates a relation between aerobic capacity and glucose concentration, although the molecular mechanisms of this relationship are not fully known yet. This study was done to determine the effect of effect of 12 weeks aerobic exercise training on aerobic capacity and glucose concentration in obese men. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, thirty two adult obese males were divided into interventional and control groups. Anthropometrical indexes, fasting blood glucose and insulin, resting heart rate and aerobic capacity (VO2max) were measured before and after a 12 weeks aerobic exercise in the interventional and control groups. Beta cell function was calculated by fasting glucose and insulin. Results: Long time aerobic exercise led to significant reduction in glucose (112±10 vs. 85±11 mg/dl), anthropometrical indces, BMI (28.44±2.29 vs. 33.24±5.14), increase in VO2max (26.12±4.11 vs. 32±6.41 ml/kg/min), beta cell function (83±23 vs. 181±35) and in interventional group in comparision with controls. A significant correlation was found between the changes in VO2max with changes in beta cell function and glucose level, these correlations were independent of BMI. There was no significant change in insulin level between intervention and control groups. Conclusion: Increased aerobic capacity or cardiovascular fitness by exercise training improve beta cell function of glucose concentration in obese men.

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Background and Objective: Skeletal muscle expresses several neurotrophin and their receptors which providing the basis for neurotrophin signaling within the muscle compartments. This study was done to evaluate the effect of a session of resistance exercise on mRNA expression of NT-3 and TrkC proteins in soleus muscle of Wistar Rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 16 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into exercise and control groups. The resistance training protocol consisted of climbing a 1-meter–long ladder, with a weight attached to a tail sleeve. Expressions of NT-4/5 and P75, quantitatively were measured using RT-PCR. Results: There was not any significant alteration in NT-3 mRNA in soleus muscle after resistance exercise. However, one session of resistance exercise significantly increased mRNA expression of TrkC (1.7 Folds) in soleus muscle (P<0.05). Conclusion: Resistance exercise increases TrkC expression in soleuse muscle of wistar rats.

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Background and Objective: Oxidative stress plays a major role in the structural and functional changes of the myocardium due to diabetes. This study was done to determine the effect of swimming training and arbutin supplement on cardiac antioxidant enzymes and oxidative stress in diabetic rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 42 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into 6 groups including control, diabetes, Arbutin, diabetes+Arbutin, diabetes+exercise and diabetes+ exercise + Arbutin (combined). Diabetes induced using alloxan (90 mg/kg/bw, intraperitoneally). Arbutin (50 mg/kg/bw, ip) was administered for 5 days a week. The exercise consisted of swimming training at 5 min to 36 min per day, 5 days a week for 6 weeks. Renal Malondialdehyde, catalase level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were evaluated in animals. Results: Diabetes significantly increased cardiac Malondialdehyde level and decreased cardiac SOD activity and catalase level (P<0.05). Six weeks of supplementation with Arbutin, swimming training and combined intervention significantly increased catalas level and superoxide dismutase activity compared to the diabetes group(P<0.05). Malondialdehyde level significantly reduced in combined and exercise groups in comparison with diabetic group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Regular training (swimming) and Antioxidant supplement (Arbutin) protect the cardiac tissue against diabetes-induced oxidative stress through their antioxidants capacity and the combination of the two interventions have synergic effect.

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Background and Objective: Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is a powerful biological antioxidant which is involved in metabolism and energy production as a co-factor in mitochondrial dehydrogenase enzyme complex. This study was done to evaluate the effect of aerobic exercise and alpha lipoic acid supplement on insulin resistance in females with type 2 diabetes. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 44 females with type 2 diabetes divided into four groups including: control, supplementation, training and supplementation + training groups. Patients of supplementation and complex (supplementation + training) groups took three 100mg ALA capsules per day for eight weeks. The training program consisted of 8 weeks and three sessions per week. In each session, the subjects warmed up for 10-15 minutes, ran on a treadmill with the intensity of 40-50% of maximum heart rate for 30 minutes and then cooled down for 5-10 minutes. Blood samples were taken after 12-14 hours fasting in two stages - the beginning and the end of the eighth week. Results: Eight weeks of taking ALA supplements significantly reduced patients' insulin resistance (P<0.05). Eight weeks of running on a treadmill with an intensity of 40-50% of maximum heart rate non-significantly reduced insulin resistance in the training group compared to the controls. In the supplementation + training group a significant reduction of insulin resistance was observed (P<0.05). Conclusion: Alpha lipoic acid supplementation reduces insulin and insulin resistance. While, reduction in fasting blood glucose level causes reduction in insulin resistance in the combination of supplementation and training.

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Background and Objective: Diabetes mellitus is the most common type of metabolic diseases which is characterized with hyperglycemia due to implicit or relative insulin deficiency. Diabetes mellitus is acutely related to obesity. Agouti-related protein (AGRP) has 132 amino acids and increases appetite in humans. This study was done to determine the effect of eight weeks aerobic exercise on plasma level of agouti-related protein, glycated hemoglobin and glucose in non-active type II diabetic women. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 30 female diabetic patients were divided into exercise and control groups. The training program was performed 3 sessions a week in course of 8 weeks, each session was last for 60 minutes, and the controls did not have any exercise. The plasma level of agouti-related protein, glycated hemoglobin and glucose were measured. Results: There was no significant alteration in the level of AGRP, HbA1c and glucose in either exercise or control groups. There was no significant relation between AGRP with glucose, AGRP with HbA1c and HbA1c with glucose in the exercise and control groups. Conclusion: Eight weeks of aerobic exercise is not enough for making any changes on plasma level of AGRP, HbA1c and glucose in non-active type II diabetic women.

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Background and Objective: Several studies reported the contraventional effects of L-Carnitine on body fat percentages and lipoprotein profile. This study was done to evaluate the effect of six weeks supplementation of L-Carnitine on body fat percentages and lipoprotein profile non-athlete male students. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 20 non-athlete male students whom were non-randomly assigned into experimental and control groups. Subjects in both groups performed aerobic exercises for six weeks based on the principle of overload. Over the course of this period, subjects in the experimental group were received 13 mg/kg/bw of complement g L-Carnitine, orally. Controls were received 3 mg/ke/g/bw of starch on daily bases. Blood samples were collected before and after the training period. HDL, LDL-c, VLDL, triglycerides, total cholesterol, body fat percentage and body mass index were recorded for each subject. Results: Aerobic exercise with supplementation of L-Carnitine significantly increased HDL and reduced triglycerides, total cholesterol, body fat percentage and VLDL, but had no significant impact on LDL-c and body mass index. Conclusion: Consumption of slight doses of L-Carnitine in combination with aerobic exercise reduces body fat percentage and lipoprotein profile of non-athlete male students

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Background and Objective: Low back pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder. Core stability exercises have been recommended to improve neuromuscular skeletal system function in order to increase the protection of vertebral column and improve functional activities. This study was done to evaluate the effect of core stability and general exercise on functional activity in non- specific low back pain patients.

Methods: In this clinical trail study, sixty patients with chronic low back pain were randomly divided into general exercise (n=30) and core stability (n=30) groups. The protocol of intervention included 4 weeks (3 sessions in week) of designed exercise for each group. The functional activities were measured before and after intervention.

Results: Functional activity indicators were significantly increased in core stability exercise compared to general exercise (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Core stability exercise is more effective than general exercise to improve functional activities in patients with non-specific low back pain.

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Background and Objective: Pregnancy is a period of women’s life which is usually associated with reducing maternal daily physical activity. However, maintaining adequate daily physical activity is important for mother and fetus. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between exercise before and during pregnancy and gestational diabete mellitus (GDM).

Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 80 pregnant women with gestational diabete mellitus and 57 non-diabetic pregnant women. Physical activity during one and eight years before, and first and second trimesters of pregnancy was recorded through interview.

Results: Regular participation in exercise activities in non-diabetic women were significantly more than diabetic women during all periods (P<0.05). Regular participation in exercise during one year before and second trimester of pregnancy was inversely correlated to GDM (P<0.05). Energy expenditure of second trimester of pregnancy was significantly correlated to reduce GDM (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Regular exercise before and during pregnancy can be effective in reducing the probability of GDM. Exercise during one year before and especially second trimester of pregnancy are more important predictors of GDM.

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Background and Objective: Liver diseases accompanied with growing of obesity in children. This study was done to evaluate the effect of aerobic exercise and vitamin C intake on liver transaminases activities in 8-11 years obese girls.

Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 28 obese girls were randomly divided into four equal groups including control, exercise, supplement (500 mg vitamin C tablet, dailly) and combined (500 mg vitamin C, daily plus exercise) groups. Aerobic exercise was consisted of exercise movements at 50% to 70% maximal heart rate and 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks. Fasting blood samples were collected before and 48 hour after the last intervention. Serum transaminases activities were measured by enzymatic colorimetric method.

Results: 8 weeks of aerobic exercise, vitamin C and the combined intervention were associated with a significant reduction in Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities (P<0.05) whereas there was no effect on the Alkaline phosphatase activity. All these interventions were associated with significantly greater reduction in the ALT and AST activities ratio in comparision with control group. Combined intervention induced more reduction on percent of variables changes compared with other interventions (P<0.05).

Conclusion: It seems selected aerobic exercise and vitamin C intake may induce their protective effect in obese girls via improvement in liver function.

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Background and Objective: Aging eldely is associated with impaired angiogenesis, glomerulosclerosis and increased susceptibility to nephrotoxic injury. This study was done to compare the independent and combined effect of aerobic exercise and garlic extract on the levels of renal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in eldely rats.

Methods: In this experimental study, 35 aged eldely male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into 5 groups including control, sham, garlic (2.5 g/kg/bw), aerobic exercise, garlic plus exercise. The animals exercised by swimming training at 5 min to 60 min per day, 3 days a week over 8 weeks. Animals in garlic plus exercise were received garlic extract (2.5 g/kg/bw) and swimming training. The renal TGF-β1 and VEGF level were evaluated by ELIZA method.

Results: 8 weeks swimming training, garlic supplementation and the combined intervention were associated with a significant increased the renal VEGF and reduced TGF-β1 level (P<0.05). There was no difference between swimming training, garlic supplementation and garlic plus exercise on renal VEGF and TGF-β1 levels in aged rats.

Conclusion: It seems that the protective role of regular swimming training, garlic supplementation and the combined intervention in the renal aging process meight in part be related to their ability to attenuate TGF- β1 and up regulating VEGF.

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Background and Objective: Breast cancer and related treatments induce various physical symptoms. One of suggested method for preventing or reducing physical symptoms is exercise training. This study was done to evaluate the effect of 8 weeks Pilates exercises physical fitness indices in breast cancer patients.
Methods: In this randomized clinical trial study 30 female breast cancer patients were divided into intervention (n=15) and control (n=15) groups by block randomization method. Pilates exercise for 8 weeks, 3 days a week for 60 min in every session was performed in Patients in interventional group but patients in control group did not participate in any regular physical activity. Flexibility, coordination, back and hand strength and muscular strength were determined using Wells, alternate hand wall toss, one leg –stance, back and handgrip dynamometer, sit up tests, respectively.
Results: Pilates exercises significantly increased flexibility, balance, coordination, back and hand strength, muscular endurance and sit up in interventional group in compared to controls (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Pilates exercise improves physical fitness indices in women with breast cancer.