Research Output
Articles
Publication Date: 2025
Journal Of Aging Research (20902212)2025(1)
Background: Diabetes mellitus is linked to progressive cognitive decline and motor impairments, especially among the aging population, highlighting the importance of early detection through reliable neuronal biomarkers. Proteins such as neurofilament light chain (NFL), neurogranin (Ng), and visinin-like protein 1 (VILIP-1) have emerged as indicators of neurodegeneration and associated behavioral changes. This study examined the effects of combined endurance and resistance exercise, along with ursolic acid (UA) supplementation, on hippocampal neuronal biomarkers and exploratory-locomotor behavior in aged diabetic rats. Methods: In this experiment, 21-month-old male Wistar rats were assigned to seven groups. Diabetes was induced using a single intraperitoneal dose of streptozotocin (STZ) (30 mg/kg) in combination with a high-fat diet (55% fat, 31% carbohydrate, and 14% protein). Interventions included endurance training (60%–75% vVO2max), resistance training (60% MVCC), and daily oral UA administration (250 mg/kg) over eight weeks. Neuronal biomarkers (NFL, Ng, and VILIP-1) were measured in hippocampal tissue via western blot, and exploratory and locomotor behavior was assessed using the open-field test. Results: The results showed that UA supplementation combined with resistance training significantly reduced the levels of neuronal biomarkers NFL (p < 0.001), Ng (p < 0.01), and VILIP-1 (p < 0.001) in diabetic rats compared to untreated diabetic controls. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that diabetes leads to a marked elevation in NFL, Ng, and VILIP-1 protein levels, while a combined intervention of exercise and UA mitigated neurodegenerative changes and improved exploratory-locomotor outcomes. Copyright © 2025 Safoura Alizade et al. Journal of Aging Research published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Mardaniyan ghahfarrokhi, M.,
Aghaei, F.,
Fallahi, S.,
Banitalebi, E.,
Faramarzi, M.,
Parastesh, M.,
Motl, R. Publication Date: 2025
Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders (22110356)103
Background: Cognitive and physical challenges are prevalent and co-occuring, yet incompletely managed in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Purpose: This study compared the effects of six months of home-based neuro-functional training (HBNFT) and home-based resistance training (HBRT) with control on cognitive and motor functions in MS patients with cognitive impairment (CI), Methods: The trial included 93 MS patients (81 females and 12 males) with CI who were randomly assigned into one of three conditions: HBNFT, HBRT, or control. The conditions involved one month of center-based training followed by thrice-weekly home-based training for six months. Cognitive functions (processing speed, learning and memory) were assessed before and after the protocol. Physical functions (static and dynamic balance, walking speed, reaction time, walking ability, lower limb function, upper and lower body strength) were assessed at baseline and months 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Two-way analysis of variance (time*group interaction) were used for between-group comparisons. Statistical analyzes were performed based on the intention-to-treat (ITT) with missing data handled by multiple imputation method. Result: Both intervention conditions significantly improved learning (P ≤ 0.014), walking speed (P ≤ 0.013), reaction time (P ≤ 0.001), lower limb function (P ≤ 0.010), walking ability (P ≤ 0.018), lower (P ≤ 0.001) and upper body strength (P ≤ 0.003), and fatigue (P ≤ 0.005) compared with the control. HBNFT significantly improved processing speed (P = 0.042), memory (P = 0.043), static balance (P = 0.023) compared with the control group. Conclusion: This study suggests that HBNFT is a safe and effective choice for improving cognitive and motor functions in MS patients with CI. This study further underscores the benefits of home-based interventions for managing cognitive and motor impairments in the MS population. © 2025
Kharatzadeh, M.,
Vazgen, M.,
Thapa, R.K.,
Clemente, F.M.,
Faramarzi, M. Publication Date: 2025
Trends in Sport Sciences (2391436X)32(1)pp. 31-40
Introduction. Small-sided games (SSGs) and running-based high-intensity interval training (HIIT) are training methods that has been used in combination or isolation to improve performance of soccer players. Aim of Study. This study aimed to compare the effects of an eight-week training intervention using SSGs combined with running-based HIIT versus running-based HIIT alone on the physical fitness of young male soccer players. Material and Methods. Thirty-six young male soccer players (aged 14.0 ± 1.1 years) participated in the study. Both intervention groups completed an eight-week training protocol with two sessions per week. The SSGs + HIIT group used different SSGs formats (e.g., 5 vs 5) in combination with running-based HIIT. In contrast, the HIIT group performed running-based HIIT alone. Pre-and post-intervention 10 m and 30 m linear sprint (i.e., acceleration and maximal speed), aerobic capacity, body fat percentage (%BF), and change of direction (COD) were measured, using validated tests. Results. The HIIT and SSGs + HIIT interventions showed no significant differences in improving 10 m linear sprint (HIIT: 6.3% vs SSGs + HIIT: 7.4%), 30 m linear sprint (HIIT: 3.4% vs SSGs + HIIT: 4.2%), and %BF (HIIT: 11.6% vs SSGs + HIIT: 7.3%; p > 0.05). However, SSGs + HIIT induced significantly greater improvements in maximal oxygen consumption (HIIT: 6.7% vs SSGs + HIIT: 9.1%; p = 0.003) and COD (HIIT: 4% vs SSGs + HIIT: 1.9%; p = 0.002) compared to the HIIT group. Conclusions. The findings suggest that the SSGs + HIIT intervention was more effective in improving aerobic performance and COD among young soccer players. However, both training interventions were similarly effective in improving the 10 m and 30 m linear sprint times. © 2025, University School of Physical Education. All rights reserved.
Farsani, Z.H.,
Faramarzi, M.,
Karaji, Z.G.,
Akbarzadeh, H.,
Zadeh, M.H. Publication Date: 2025
Scientific Reports (20452322)15(1)
Hepatokines play an important role in age-related metabolic disorders for example diabetes. The study҆s aim is to find how resistance training and supplementation of UA affect the levels of Hepatokines in the liver tissue of male Wistar rats that were treated with STZ and were of advanced age. Twenty-five 21-month-old male rats were randomly assigned to five equal groups: healthy control (HC), diabetic with uric acid supplementation (DU), supplementation plus resistance exercise (DRU), resistance exercise only (DR) and diabetic control (DC).The resistance training protocol was performed for 8 weeks, with 60% of the maximum voluntary contraction capacity (MVCC), climbing the ladder 14–20 times, 5 days a week. Rats were given a combination of high-fat food and 500 mg/kg of UA. Consistent with the results of one-way ANOVA, the decrease in ANGPTL6 in the DU and DR groups compared to the DCgroup is significant (p ≤ 0.05), while the decrease in the DRU group compared to theDU group was not significant (p ≥ 0.05). Fetuin Adecreased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) in the DU group compared to the DC group, but did not change significantly (p ≥ 0.05) in the DR and DRU groups. According to the results of one-way ANOVA, the decrease in FETUB, Hepassocin, LECT2, and Selenoprotein is significant in all groups (p ≤ 0.05). Based on the beneficial effects of resistance training and UA supplementation on glucose metabolism and Hepatokines, it appears that the blend of exercise training and UA supplementation has a more effective therapeutic effect on hepatic Hepatokines in elderly individuals with diabetes. © The Author(s) 2025.
Kharatzadeh, M.,
Morgans, R.,
Thapa, R.K.,
Oliveira, R.,
Faramarzi, M. Publication Date: 2025
Biomedical Human Kinetics (20802234)17(1)pp. 1-12
Study aim: This experimental study investigated the sequencing effects of a small-sided games (SSG) protocol and highintensity interval training (HIIT) on the physical and physiological performance adaptation of soccer players, conducted over a fourteen-week of the pre-season. Materials and methods: Twenty-three young (aged 14 ±0.1 years) male soccer players from a club participating in nationallevel competitions were randomly divided into two groups (SSG + HIIT, n = 11 and HIIT + SSG, n = 12). The first group completed SSGs (5 vs. 5 + goalkeeper, 36 × 30 m) followed by HIIT (long interval at 60 to 75% of final velocity during 30-15 intermittent fitness test) training, while the second group performed HIIT training and then SSGs. Assessments were conducted at baseline and post-intervention for 10 m linear sprint, body fat percentage, countermovement jump (CMJ), change of direction speed (CODS), squat jump (SJ), and Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test (Yo-Yo IR). Results: A significant main effect of time was reported for 10 m linear sprint, CMJ, CODS, SJ, and Yo-Yo IR (p ≤ 0.001-0.010, ηp2 = 0.32-0.74). However, no significant group × time interaction were reported for any dependent variables (p = 0.433-1.000, ηp2 ≤ 0.01-0.03). Conclusion: The sequencing order of HIIT and SSG does not affect the performance outcomes in young male soccer players. Moreover, similar improvements can be expected in the 10 m linear sprint, CMJ, CODS, SJ, and Yo-Yo IR, irrespective of the exercise order. However, caution should be taken when interpreting the within-group improvements, as the study did not include a control group. © 2024 Masoud Kharatzadeh et al., published by Sciendo.
