Showing 14 results for Physical Activity
Fatemeh Dareh, Roya Kelishadi, Manijheh Kahbazi, Cathayon Rabii, Saeid Heidari, Abdolmehdi Baghaei,
Volume 7, Issue 1 (3-2004)
Abstract
Introduction: Among the risk factors for coronary artery disease, less attention has been paid to physical activity, especially in children and adolescents. Various studies have shown that their level of physical activity is lower than the standard for maintaining lower health. In this study, the pattern of physical activity of children and adolescents in the central regions of Iran is examined.
Method: In this descriptive study, which is part of the first phase of the Isfahan Healthy Heart Project and was conducted in 2002, awareness of the attitude and performance of 4,000 urban and rural children and adolescents in preschool to high school in Isfahan (Isfahan, Najafabad) and Markazi (Arak city) and the parents of these students and 500 teachers and school officials have been examined about physical activity and the duration of watching TV through a questionnaire. Sampling was selected in the form of a random cluster and in proportion to the urban and rural population living in the two provinces. Data were analyzed with SPSS software and p<0.05 were considered significant.
Results: About 40 percent of middle and high school students in the two provinces practiced regular sports at school less than two hours a week. Regular morning exercise and school sports were more common in girls than boys (p<0.00001), but regular extracurricular exercise and sports team membership were more common in boys (P<0.001). More than 77 percent of parents were unaware of the importance of childhood exercise in their children's health. The average TV viewing time for children of different ages was 4 hours a day.
Conclusion: The level of physical activity of middle and high school students in the central regions of Iran is less than the desired level and the duration of watching TV is more than the recommended values.
Mohammad Gholami Fesharaki, Esfandyar Azadmarzabadi,
Volume 14, Issue 3 (7-2011)
Abstract
Background: Noticing the importance of measuring physical activity in medical investigations, this study was conducted to analyze the validity and reliability of the researcher-made Physical Activity Questionnaire (AFPAQ) of Azad and Fesharaki, so as to achieve a suitable tool.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the sample population all army men selected through two-stage cluster sampling according to Morgan samples table.
After investigating content validity, confirmatory and explanatory factor analysis, Pearson correlation (using general health questionnaire (GHQ) and test-retest coefficient were used to examine construct and predictive validity, respectively. Data analysis was done using SPSS software version 15 and Amos version 16.
Results: This study was done on 724 subjects including 54 (7.3%) women and 685 (92.7%) men. The CVR coefficient was 60% for this study. Also, explanatory factor analysis showed three factors, including physical activity at work, physical activity at leisure time, and exhaustion with 45% total variance and 71% Kaser-Meyer-Olkin Index. These factors were also confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis (AGFI=0.963, RMSEA=0.053). The reliability of the questionnaire was %40 and %70 using Cronbach's Alpha and test-re-test method, respectively.
Conclusion: Since validity and reliability indexes of the questionnaire were reported desirable, AFPAQ can be considered a valid and reliable questionnaire for measuring physical activity
Nasrin Roozbahani, Fazlallah Ghofranipour, Hossein Eftekhar Ardabili , Ebrahim Hajizadeh,
Volume 15, Issue 9 (2-2013)
Abstract
Background: Postpartum women are a population at risk for sedentary life. Previous studies have shown that self-efficacy is an important determinant of stage of change and exercise adherence. This study evaluates the relationship between self-efficacy and stage of change and physical activity (PA) behavior in Iranian mothers. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 300 postpartum mothers were selected randomly from all health centers in Arak. The instruments used in this study included the 7-day PA recall, stages of exercise adoption tool, and self-efficacy for exercise scale. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software. Results: Ninety-one percent of the participants were in the pre-contemplation, contemplation, and preparation stages of change. Mean score for moderate PA was 38.94±40.5 minutes a week. Significant relationships were found between the stages of PA behavior change and METs of weekly energy expenditure from moderate activities (r=0.60, P<0.001). Also, statistically significant relationships were found between self-efficacy and the stages of PA behavior change (r=0.50, P<0.001) weekly energy expenditure from moderate activities (r=0.40, P<0.001), and pre-pregnancy PA behavior (r=0.39, P<0.001). Conclusion: The level of PA of the participants was less than the recommended minimum level for regular PA behavior (150 minutes of moderately intense PA per week). In this population, self-efficacy plays an important role in PA behavior and it should be taken into consideration in designing interventions for improving PA behavior.
Banafsheh Ghaheri, Mahmood Sheikh, Amir Hossein Memari, Rasool Hemayat Talab,
Volume 16, Issue 8 (11-2013)
Abstract
Background: Due to high risk of physical inactivity in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and its adverse consequences, evaluating their level of physical activity (PA) using accelerometry and investigating its relation with age and severity of the disorder are integral.
Materials and Methods: Fifty two boys and sixteen girls aged 7-14 years -from autism schools in Tehran- participated in current cross sectional study. Level of daily PA was evaluated for seven consecutive days using accelerometers. Autism severity was also assessed in the areas of communication, sociability, sensory and cognitive awareness, and health and physical behavior using Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC).
Results: On the whole 91 percent of participants encountered low level of PA. Girls were remarkably less active than boys and were more inactive. Level of PA significantly reduced as they aged. Level of PA was adversely and significantly correlated with autism severity in the area of sensory and cognitive awareness. Moreover, level of vigorous PA was adversely and significantly correlated with total autism severity. Finally, age, sex, and sensory and cognitive awareness were partially predictors of PA.
Conclusion: It appears that children with HFA are physically inactive and considerably engage in more sedentary activities as they age. Age and gender can be considered as physical activity determinants among this population.
Bakhtyar Tartibian, Bahman Ebrahimi Turkmani,
Volume 17, Issue 7 (10-2014)
Abstract
Background: The aim of this research was to determine the relationship between inflammatory markers (Fibrinogen, C-reactive protein (CRP) and Creatine kinase (CK)) and respiratory responses FEF25-75% (Forced expiratory flow in 25-75 percent) and FEV1 (Forced expiratory volume in one second) in 14-16 year’s Urmia city boys in response to an incremental physical activity.
Materials and Methods: The subjects were boys of 14-16 years among 24 healthy participants. These groups divided into two groups randomly, one group as trained one (n=12) and the othes as control group. Blood sample was taken in baseline and after Modified Balke Protocol in trained group, And the blood sampling was taken in baseline and 48 hours later in control group. respiratory responses were measured immediately after Modified Balke Protocol.
Results: CRP and Fibrinogen significantly increased in trained group (p<0.001) and this group had high level of these markers compared with control group (p<0.001). The association between CRP with FEF25-75% and fibrinogen with FEF %25-75 and CK with FEF 25-75% in trained group was significant (p&le0.05).
Conclusion: The results of this study show that incremental physical activity increased inflammatory factors in active children. Incremental exercise shows a strong relationship between some inflammatory markers and respiratory parameters in adolescents 14-16 years old.
Nasibeh Sharifi, Shahnaz Najar, Parvin Abedi,
Volume 17, Issue 8 (11-2014)
Abstract
Background: The average age of menarche varies from country to country due to regional variation and different factors, including genetic and environmental factors that affect the onset of menarch. This study performed to survey relationship between nutrition and physical activity with menarche age of girls in Ahvaz city.
Materials and Methods: This survey is a cross-sectional study that was conducted on 1249 female students 8-15 years in 2012- 2013 year. Participants were selected by random cluster sampling from 4areas and 16 elementry and middle and high schoolsin Ahvaz city. The data were collected based on interviews and questionnaire (food frequency and physical activity). After collecting the data, then they were encoded and analyzed by SPSS16 software and descriptive and analytic statistics.
Results: The mean of age at menarche in girls in Ahvaz was 11.86±1.07 and age at menarche was not associated with nutrition and physical activity.
Conclusion: Based on these findings, significant association between nutrition and physical activity and age at menarche (p<0.001)was not observed.
Farhad Daryanoosh, Maryam Mehboodi, Maryam Mortazavi, Elham Motesharee,
Volume 17, Issue 9 (12-2014)
Abstract
Background: Obestatin and leptin are two important hormones in energy homeostasis that have been discovered in recent years. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of intense aerobic exercise on plasma levels of obestatin, leptin, insulin and growth hormones in male obese Sprague Dawley Rats.
Materials and Methods: In this exprimontal study 50 male rats, with the weight range of 20±320 were taken from the Animal Laboratory of Medical Sciences in Shiraz University, and were divided into two training groups: experimental and control. The exercise program consisted of 8 weeks of intense aerobic exercise, 5 sessions per week. The exercise started at a speed of 5 meters per minute and with a slope of zero degree for 15 minutes and the intensity progressively reached up to the speed of 25 m/m and the slope of 15 degrees for 75 minutes in the last week and ended. Blood samples were taken 24 hours after the last training session and were sent to the laboratory to measure the levels of obestatin, leptin, insulin and growth hormones. SPSS software and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson correlation coefficient were used to assess the results.
Results: There was a significant reduction in plasma levels of obestatin (p=0.02), leptin (p=0.02), and insulin (p=0.03), while the results showed that no meaningful difference was observed in the amount of growth hormone between the control group and intense training group (p=0.07).
Conclusion: The results of the present study have shown that after sports activities leading to weight loss, the reduction of anti-hunger hormones (obestatin and leptin) is expected.
Abbas Saremi, Samaneh Ahmadi,
Volume 19, Issue 1 (4-2016)
Abstract
Background: Cardiac troponin T and creatine kinase are used as biological markers for cardiomyocytes and its levels in serum are used as indicators of myocardial cell injury. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of 3 different training protocols (runing, swimming, and pedaling training) on myocardial cell injury biomarkers in young girls.
Materials and Methods: In this semi-experimental study with pretest–posttest design, ten healthy young girls (aged 23.0±1.6 y) were selected in a convenience sampling way. The subjects performed three types of exercise in 7 days interval. Blood sample was assessed before and after the exercise sessions. Data were analyzed using t-test and analysis of variance.
Results: Our results indicated that creatin kinase increased significantly after three types of exercise (p<0.05). Running exercise led to greater increase in serum creatine kinase (p<0.05). Also, troponin T levels significantly were increased after three types of exercise (p<0.05), although no significant differences were observed between exercise types (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Our data suggest that intensive exercise is associated with cardiac damage in less trained girls and the type of exercise is determinants of the magnitude of myocardial injury biomarkers release.
Nazli Khajehnasiri, Homayoun Khazali, Farzam Farzam Sheikhzadeh Hesari,
Volume 20, Issue 5 (8-2017)
Abstract
Abstract
Background: The advantageous effects of the regular moderate physical activity (Exercise) on reproduction is widely accepted, but until now, the alterations of the expression of hypothalamic arcuate nuclei gene affecting on reproduction axis in response to this type of physical activity are not clear. Therefore, the goal of the present investigation was to study the effect of one –month regular moderate physical activity on neurokinin B gene expression and reproductive axis hormonal changes.
Materials and Methods: In the experimental study, fourteen adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control and one- month regular moderate exercise groups. After one - month physical activity (20m/min), the arcuate nucleus was isolated from brain and stored in -80 refrigerators for neurokinin B gene expression assay by Real-time PCR method. In addition, serum samples were taken to assess the corticosterone, luteinizing hormone and testosterone levels by ELISA method. Data were analyzed by Independent t-test in SPSS.
Results: Neurokinin-B gene expression level was lower in the group which received physical activity than the control group(p<0.05). Also, corticosterone serum concentration was decreased in the physical activity group(p<0.05). By contrast, the physical activity induced luteinizing hormone and Testosterone serum levels evaluation in exersice group compared with control group (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Regular moderate physical activity may improve male reproductive performance by reducing the corticosterone hormone level and decreasing neurokinin B expression.
Mohammad Parastesh, Jalil Moradi,
Volume 23, Issue 5 (11-2020)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has reduced the physical activity of people worldwide. The purpose of this study is to provide a practical guide for performing physical activities at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods & Materials: The study was conducted by using library method and reviewing the books and articles on home-based physical activity, to provide a scientific basis for performing physical activity at home. In this regard, various physical activities with and without equipment at homes were examined.
Ethical Considerations: This article is a review article with no human or animal sample.
Results: Home-based practical suggestions for staying active and cope with its physical and psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic were reported walking or running on a treadmill, the use of stationary bikes, and body weight resistance exercise, in addition to aerobic exercise.
Conclusion: This proposed physical activity programs can be used during the pandemic at home by people with sedentary lifestyle.
Amir Hossein Ahmadi Hekmatikar, Mahdieh Molanouri Shamsi,
Volume 23, Issue 5 (11-2020)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), as a viral disease, has increasingly highlighted the need for lifelong exercise due to its immunological and physiological effects is necessary on health. In this review study, while examining the effects of moderate-intensity exercise on the physiological and immunological responses associated with COVID-19, appropriate exercise patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic are presented.
Methods & Materials: In this study, the search was conducted in Web of Science, Scopus, ISC, PubMed, Google Scholar, MagIran, and Noor databases on related articles using the following keywords: coronavirus, COVID-19, exercise and coronavirus, exercise and immune system, high-intensity exercise and immune system.
Ethical Considerations: All ethical principles in writing this article have been observed according to the instructions of the National Ethics Committee and the COPE regulations.
Results: Moderate-intensity exercise can help boost the function of the immune system. On the other hand, high-intensity exercise can have negative effects on the immune system, which can be a bad strategy increasing the risk of infectious diseases.
Results Moderate-intensity exercise can help boost the function of the immune system. On the other hand, high-intensity exercise can have negative effects on the immune system, which can be a bad strategy increasing the risk of infectious diseases.
Conclusion: Due to the onset of the second wave of COVID-19 in the world, it is recommended to continue to exercise at home observing the hygiene rules (maintaining humidity and disinfecting environmental surfaces) and using appropriate intensity and duration.
Abbas Saremi, Dr Rahmatollah Moradzadeh, Alireza Bahrami,
Volume 24, Issue 6 (1-2022)
Abstract
Background and Aim Physical activity has multiple health benefits, but its association with fertility in women is still unknown. Considering the critical effects of lifestyle on reproductive health, this study aims to compare the physical activity and body composition of fertile and infertile women.
Methods & Materials This is a case-control study that was performed on 100 fertile and 100 infertile women aged 20-40 years referred to the infertility treatment centers in Arak, Iran. they completed self-reported questionnaires surveying sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) assessing physical activity and sedentary behavior. Anthropometric characteristics and body composition were also measured. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the association of fertility with physical activity level, sedentary behavior, and body composition.
Ethical Considerations This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Arak University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.ARAKMU.REC.1400.050).
Results The level of physical activity (P=0.001) was lower and the body mass index (P=0.03) was higher in infertile women than in fertile women. In women with moderate level of physical activity, the risk of infertility was lower (OR=4.42, 95% CI: 1.60-12.99, P=0.004). Women who spent the time sitting for more than 300 minutes a day were 2.07 times more likely to have fertility than women who were physically active (OR=2.07, 95% CI: 1.36-3.14, P=0.001).
Conclusion Low physical activity, sedentary lifestyle and obesity are independent risk factors of infertility. To prevent infertility, more attention should be paid to the lifestyle of women.
Nasrin Bathaeian, Ali Heidarian Pour, Mohammad Bathaeian, Leyla Vesali Akbar Pour,
Volume 25, Issue 4 (9-2022)
Abstract
Introduction: The beneficial effects of physical activity in the treatment of brain-motor disorders of people with autism have received more attention, although the effects of exercise on the evaluation of motor factors (physical fitness) and brain waves have been less studied.
Methods: Eleven children with autism spectrum disorder (7-12 years) took part in the study. After a thorough medical examination and psychiatric assessment, children participated in aquatic exercise program (twice-weekly) for 8 consecutive weeks. Pre & post intervention evaluated base on QEEG (power alpha & coherence), movement assessment (euro fit exam), then stoical analyze are performed (P<0.05). The present research has been registered with the ethics committee of the faculty of sport sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University Hamadan under code IR.UMSHA.REC.1394.107.
Results: In this study, alpha wave absolute power but not coherence in frontal – occipital is significantly increased by8 consecutive weeks’ aquatic program (P<0.05). Physical Fitness assessment parameters (muscular strength/endurance, coordination, balance, flexibility) significantly improved and subside respectively (P<0.05).
Conclusions: These results indicate that aquatic exercise program may improve physical and mental disturbance in young children with autism spectrum disorder.
Dr Abbas Saremi, Dr Mohammad Parastesh, Dr Sahar Ebrahimi,
Volume 25, Issue 6 (3-2023)
Abstract
Introduction: Physical activity is one of the important lifestyle factors that can have positive or negative effects on the reproductive system, and more research is needed to reflect the effect of inactivity on fertility in order to provide safe lifestyle recommendations to help couples achieve pregnancy is required. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of describing and comparing the physical activity status of fertile and infertile men in Arak city in 2022.
Methods: The present study is a case-control study that was conducted on 220 fertile and infertile men (22 to 40 years old) referred to Arak University Jihad infertility centers that were selected through available sampling. Participants completed self-test questionnaires on socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors. Anthropometric characteristics and body composition were also measured. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the association of infertility with physical activity level, sedentary behavior, and body composition.
Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Arak University (Code: IR.ARAKMU.REC.1401.046).
Ethical Considerations: The present research has been registered with the code IR.ARAKU.REC.1401.015 in the Ethics Committee of Arak University.
Results: In this study, it was observed that the amount of physical activity (P=0.02) and body composition (P=0.001) in fertile men is more favorable than infertile men. In men with a low level of physical activity, the risk of infertility increases 2.97 times (odds ratio 2.97 and 95% CI: 1.03, 8.61, and P=0.04). On the other hand, in men with moderate level of physical activity, the risk of infertility decreases (odds ratio 0.27 and 95% CI: 0.08, 0.92, and P=0.03). Also, in men who sit for more than 6 hours a day, the chance of infertility increases by 3.02 times (odds ratio 3.02 and 95% CI: 1.28, 7.10, and P=0.01). An increase in body mass index increases the risk of infertility by 1.61 times in men (odds ratio 1.61 and 95% CI: 1.23 and 2.11 and P=0.001).
Conclusions: Since obesity, physical inactivity and infertility in Iranian men are increasing at the same time, so there should be more focus and seriousness on the issue of lifestyle modification and especially physical activity regarding reproductive health.
