Articles
Publication Date: 2025
Journal of Isfahan Medical School (10277595)43(805)pp. 135-145
Background: Optimal muscle strength is a critical factor influencing performance and reducing injuries among wrestlers. This study aimed to investigate the effects of an eight-week modified FIFA11+ warm-up program on the isokinetic knee strength of elite wrestlers. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 27 elite wrestlers were selected as participants and divided into two groups: training (n = 13) and control (n = 14). The training group performed the modified FIFA 11+ warm-up program for 8 weeks, which included aerobic, stretching, plyometric, strength, balance, and speed activities. The control group continued their traditional training routines. The strength of the knee flexor and extensor muscles and the flexor-to-extensor strength ratio were assessed using a Biodex Isokinetic System Pro3 at pre-test and post-test phases. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in SPSS software (P < 0.05). Findings: The results of this study indicated that concentric strength of the knee flexor muscles at both angular velocities of 60°/s and 120°/s (P = 0.001), eccentric strength of the knee flexor muscles at 60°/s (P = 0.044) and 120°/s (P = 0.003),and both concentric (P = 0.002) and eccentric (P = 0.003) strength of the knee extensor muscles at 120°/s were significantly greater in the post-test compared to the control group. Furthermore, the hamstring-to-quadriceps strength ratio was notably higher in the post-test compared to the control group (P = 0.001). Conclusion: The modified FIFA 11+ program increased knee strength factors, so it can be recommended that they be incorporated into warm-up routines to enhance strength and performance and also potentially contribute to injury prevention. © 2025 Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2023
Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies (15329283)36pp. 307-312
Purpose: Balance is an important performance aspect of all athletes. The aim of this study was to compare static and dynamic balance in soccer players in different positions. Methods: Forty youth and young adult professional soccer players were divided into four groups according to their playing positions: goalkeepers (GK), defenders (DF), midfielders (MF) and forwards (FW) (10 per position). Static and dynamic balance assessed on the dominant and non-dominant legs were measured using a force platform for 30s (static one-leg stand), and “Y Balance Test” (dynamic balance). Results: GK exhibited greater ML static balance (less ML sway) compared with other players (p < 0.02–0.001). Moreover, results demonstrated better GK dynamic balance compared to DF and FW (p < 0.04–0.006). MF showed better dynamic balance than DF and FW (p < 0.019–0.007) and lower dynamic balance scores were found among DF and FW (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, these results affirm position-specific balance performance with greater static and dynamic balance of GK and dynamic balance with MF. It is suggested that evaluation of balance and postural control performance should be considered a relevant part of the position-specific functional evaluation of soccer players. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd
Sokhangu, M.,
Rahnama, N.,
Etemadifar, M.,
Rafeii, M.,
Saberi, A. Publication Date: 2021
International Journal Of Preventive Medicine (20088213)12(1)
Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the third most common cause of adult neurologic disabilities. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of 8 weeks of neuromuscular exercises on strength, proprioceptive receptors, and balance of women with MS. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial study, 20 female volunteers with relapsing-remitting MS were randomly assigned into the experimental group (n = 10) and control group (n = 10). Maximum muscular strength of knee extensor and flexor muscles, knee joint proprioceptive error (Biodex), and balance (Berg Balance Scale) was measured at baseline and after 8 weeks of neuromuscular exercise. The data were analyzed using paired t-test and independent t-test. Results: The results showed a significant improvement (P < 0.05) in the quadriceps strength, hamstring strength, proprioceptive receptor error, and the balance in the experimental group, but not in the control group. A significant difference was evident between the experimental and control groups in terms of strength, balance, and proprioceptive receptor error (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Neuromuscular exercise training is effective in improving balance, strength, and reducing the proprioceptive error in people with MS, and it could be recommended as modalities for these patients. © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2021
International Journal Of Preventive Medicine (20088213)12(1)
Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of systematic corrective exercises on the static and dynamic balance of students with pronation distortion syndrome. Methods: In this randomized controlled clinical trial study, 30 volunteers were selected and randomly divided into the control and experimental groups (15 subjects per group). The experimental group performed systematic corrective exercises for 12 weeks, while the control group performed the routine exercise. Static and dynamic balance was evaluated before and after the interventions. The data were analyzed using independent and paired t-tests (P < 0.05). Results: The results showed significant improvement (P < 0.05) in the static and dynamic balance in the experimental group, but not in the control group. A significant difference was evident between the experimental and control groups in terms of static and dynamic balances, in static balance including Flamingo balance test (42.26 ± 5.35 vs. 10.13 ± 1.92) stabilometr (1.23 ± 0.48 vs. 3.71 ± 1.02), and in dynamic balance including star excursion balance test (anterior direction 82.4 ± 6.2 vs. 66.7 ± 6.9, Posterior-internal direction 87.8 ± 4.7 vs. 69.6 ± 6.3, posterior-external direction 86.06 ± 6.93 vs. 67.2 ± 6.2), stabilometr (3.8 ± 0.6 vs. 11.18 ± 1.8) (P < 0.05 for all variables). Conclusions: It can be concluded that systematic corrective exercises improve static and dynamic balance in students with pronation distortion syndrome and it could be recommended as modalities for these people. © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2020
Iranian Rehabilitation Journal (17353602)18(2)pp. 181-192
Objectives: Pronation distortion syndrome is one of the common physical deformities, that causes distortions in the skeletal structures of the feet. The current study aimed to determine the effects of 12 weeks of systematic and functional corrective exercises on the body posture of students with pronation distortion syndrome. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 30 volunteers suffering from pronation distortion syndrome were selected. Then, they were randomly divided into two 15-member groups, i.e. the experimental and the control groups. The experimental group practiced systematic and functional corrective exercises for 12 weeks (three sessions a week, each lasting an hour), while the control group did not receive any exercises. Before and after the exercises, the students were evaluated using the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) screening test as well as body posture tests, including flat feet, pronation angle of ankle joint, knock-knee (bow-leggedness or genu valgum), and lumbar lordosis (swayback). The obtained data were analyzed using the dependent and independent t-tests (P<0.05). Results: After 12 weeks of systematic and functional corrective exercises, the experimental group showed significant improvement in FMS and body posture (P=0.001). However, no significant difference was observed in the control group (P<0.05). In general, the body posture of the experimental group was significantly better than the control group (P=0.001). Discussion: Based on the findings of the current study, systematic and functional corrective exercises improve the body posture of students suffering from pronation distortion syndrome. Therefore, these exercises are recommended for such students. © 2020, Iranian Rehabilitation Journal. All Rights Reserved.
