Background and Aim: Coronary Heart Disease (CAD) is one of the most important causes of mortality. Exercise activities after coronary artery bypass surgery increase the density of myocardial capillaries called angiogenesis and improve cardiovascular function. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of aerobic-resistance training on plasma basic fibroblast grown factor levels in post-coronary artery bypass grafting patients.
Methods & Materials: The sample consisted of 30 men aged 45-60 years who underwent bypass surgery. They were randomly divided into experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups. The experimental group performed aerobic resistance training for eight weeks (3 sessions per week) and the control group did not. Blood samples were taken 24 hours before the start of the first training session and 48 hours after the last training session while all subjects were fasting. In vitro ELISA method was used to measure BFGF. Independent and paired t-test and Shapiro-Wilk test were used to analyze the data at the significant level of 0.05 in SPSS v. 21.
Ethical Considerations: This study was registered (Ethics Code: IR.IAU.NEYSHABUR.REC.1398.01) in the Ethics Committee of Islamic Azad University, Neishabour Branch, and with Clinical Trial Code: IRCTID:IRCT20191228045919N1.
Results: Eight weeks of aerobic-resistance training significantly increased bFGF levels in the exercise group compared to the control group (P=0.002). Also, pre and post changes in the experimental group showed a significant increase in plasma bFGF levels (P=0.002), which was not significant in the control group (P=0.758).
Conclusion: According to the results, it may be concluded that combined (aerobic resistance) exercise may increase angiogenesis and capillary density in post-CABG patients by increasing plasma bFGF levels

Background and Aim: Tendon, like the skeletal muscle, exhibits mechanical and morphological adaptations resulted from exercise training; however, little is known about the basic cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate these responses. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate the effect of 6 weeks of aerobic training on the TGF-β1, myostatin and MMP9 mRNAs expression in the tendon of fast- and slow-twitch muscles. 
Methods & Materials For this purpose, 12 male Wistar rats at 8 weeks of age were randomly divided into two groups: experimental (n=6) and control (n=6). The exercise group performed aerobic training for 6 weeks, 5 sessions per week. Forty-eight hours after the last training session, all rats were sacrificed and the tendons of soleus and Extensor Digitorum Longus (EDL) muscles were extracted. Expression of TGF-β1, myostatin and MMP9 mRNAs were assayed using RealTime-PCR. Independent t-test was also used for statistical analysis.
Ethical Considerations: All stages of the study were conducted according to the ethical guidelines and authorization of Research Deputy of Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran Branch No. IR.IAU.PS.REC.1398.296. 
Results: The results showed that the expression of TGF-β1 mRNA in EDL and soleus tendons significantly increased (P≤0.001), whereas the expression of myostatin in EDL tendon was significantly reduced (P≤ 0.001). Increased mRNA expression of MMP9 in the tendon of EDL and soleus muscles was not statistically significant (P>0.05).
Conclusion: It seems that aerobic exercise can modulate the expression of genes involved in the regulation of tendon collagen in a muscle type-dependent manner.

Background and Aim: Weight gain and vitamin D deficiency are associated with increased systemic inflammation and chronic diseases. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of regular Pilates training associated with Vitamin D intake on Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) and Interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels in overweight males.
Methods & Materials: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 52 overweight men aged 45-55 years. Volunteers were firstly selected through the convenience sampling method. Then, they were divided into Pilates training, Pilates training + vitamin D supplementation, vitamin D supplementation (combined), and control groups (n=13/group). The provided Pilates training program was performed for 8 weeks (with the intensity of 50%-75% of reserve heart rate, 3 sessions/week). The supplement and combined groups also received 50000 units of oral vitamin D weekly for 8 weeks. The serum levels of variables were determined using the ELISA method. The obtained data were analyzed by Paired Samples t-test, one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and Kruskal–Wallis test at the significant level of <0.05.
Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee at Islamic Azad University, Babol Branch, Iran (Code: IR.IAU.BABOL.REC.1398.088). Also, this study was approved by the Iranian Clinical Trial Registration Center (Code: IRCT20190831044650N2)
Results: The collected results indicated that 8 weeks of Pilates training, vitamin D intake, and the combined intervention were associated with a significant increase in IL-10 (P<0.001) and a decrease in TNF-α (P<0.001). Additionally, the presented combination intervention was associated with further alternations in the research variables, compared to the other two interventions; however, in the exercise group, the decrease in TNF-α level was more than that in the vitamin D intake group (P=0.012).
Conclusion: It seems that in overweight combined with vitamin D deficiency stats, the anti-inflammatory effects of Pilates training, vitamin D supplementation interventions, and a combination of the two methods can be attributed in part to up-regulation IL-10 and TNF-α reduction; however, the effectiveness of the combined intervention on the development of inflammation was greater than that of the other two interventions. Furthermore, the effect of Pilates training on reducing TNF-α was stronger than that of vitamin D supplementation.

Introduction: One of the common problems of patients with covid-19 is the occurrence of respiratory problems that may accompany the person for a long time. Also, based on clinical and research evidence, different degrees of anxiety and stress have been observed in those who have recovered from this disease. This study was conducted with the aim of determining the effect of diaphragmatic breathing on dyspnea and state anxiety in patients with covid-19.
Methods: This study was a randomized clinical trial conducted in 2021-2022. The study population consisted of 78 patients with covid-19 hospitalized in Amir al-Momenin Hospital in Arak city, who were selected by available sampling and divided into two groups of 40. In this study, the Spielberger anxiety inventory, Borg scale, MRC breathlessness scale and measurement of blood oxygen saturation were used. The test group received diaphragmatic breathing training on the day of discharge and performed the exercise for ten minutes, and after discharge, they performed diaphragmatic breathing twice a day (ten minutes each time) at home for a week. Questionnaires were completed by the patients before the intervention, immediately after and one week later. The data was analyzed with SPSS software version 23 at the level (P < 0.05).
Results: The findings showed that the mean anxiety score of the patients immediately and one week after the intervention in the test group was significantly lower than the control group (P < 0.001). The mean oxygen saturation in the test group after the intervention was significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.001). Also, a significant difference was observed between the mean dyspnea scores using the MRC and Borg dyspnea scales after the intervention in the two groups (P < 0.001).
Conclusions: The results showed diaphragmatic breathing reduced anxiety and shortness of breath in patients with covid-19 after discharge. Therefore, teaching this simple and effective method is recommended for these patients during discharge from the hospital.

Introduction: The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of a period of resistance training and melatonin consumption on sex hormone levels, pain intensity, and sleep quality in girls with primary dysmenorrhea.
Methods: For this purpose, 60 girls with moderate primary dysmenorrhea disorder (score 4-7) were randomly placed in 4 groups: resistance training + melatonin, resistance training + placebo, melatonin supplement group, and control group.  Pain intensity, and sleep quality were assessed by the McGill questionnaire, and the Pittsburgh questionnaire respectively.  10 mg of melatonin was taken daily in two 5 mg capsules and the placebo group received the same amount of carbohydrates in the same capsule.  Weight training, three days a week for eight weeks. This circuit exercise training was in 9 stations and with a maximum of 10-12 repetitions at 30-65% of a maximum repetition in each station.  Each set and repetition was separated by 2-3 minutes and 90 seconds of rest, respectively. The blood sample was taken in the morning, fasting and 5 cc from the brachial vein from the left hand while sitting in the sitting position, and was taken by special kits. Data were analyzed by ANOVA with repeated measures and Bonferroni post hoc test at level P<0.05. All experimental procedures were approved by the Ethics committee of the Sport Sciences Research Institute of Iran (Code: ID IR.IAU.NEYSHABUR.REC.1401.008), Clinical Trial (Code: ID IRCT20230703058653N1) from the Iran Clinical Registration Center and were conducted under the Declaration of Helsinki.
Results: A significant increase in Estrogen (P<0.001) and progesterone (P<0.001) levels in the exercise + supplement group compared to all groups, and in the exercise + placebo group and the supplement group compared to the placebo group was reported. Also, The decrease in Pain intensity (P<0.001) and sleep quality (A decrease in the sleep score means an increase in the sleep quality in the output of the questionnaire) (P<0.001) in the supplement group compared to all groups and in the exercise + placebo group (P<0.05) and the exercise + supplement group compared to the placebo group showed a significant difference.
Conclusions: It seems that synergy of exercise and melatonin has affected the sex hormones level. Also, the melatonin probably helped to improve the sleep quality and pain intensity of the subjects through the adjustment of sex hormones following dysmenorrhea. Also, exercise probably has an effect on the pain intensity and sleep quality through the release of beta-endorphins and the effects of exercise on the menstrual cycle, although the finding are ambiguous.

Introduction: Diabetes is a chronic and progressive metabolic disorder that causes heart tissue damage and changes in its protein levels. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of an incremental training period on MMP-2 and MEF2C protein in cardiac muscle tissue of diabetic Wistar rats.
Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats (age 10 weeks and average weight 245 ± 9.5 grams) were randomly divided into 4 groups of 10: diabetes-control (DC), diabetes-exercise (DT), healthy-exercise (HT) and healthy-control (HC). Intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (45 mg/kg) was used to cause diabetes. The training protocol was implemented for 6 weeks. 24 hours after the last training session, heart tissue was extracted. Western blot method was used to evaluate MMP-2 and MEF2C protein expression. Data analysis was done using one-way analysis of variance test.
Results: The results showed that diabetes causes a significant increase in MMP-2 protein expression levels and a significant decrease in MEF2C in the DC group compared to the HC group (P<0.05). although a period of increased training leads to a significant decrease in MMP-2 protein expression levels and a significant increase in MEF2C in the DT group compared to the DC group (P<0.05).
Conclusions: The findings of this research show that increasing aerobic exercise moderates the effects caused by diabetes in the expression of these two proteins, which seems to be a protective effect against cardiomyopathy changes caused by diabetes.