Islamic Azad University, Hamedan Branch Journal of Sport Biomechanics 2476-4906 10 2 2024 8 1 The Effect of Balance, Mindfulness, and Combined Exercises on Psychological Well-being and Fear of Falling in Inactive Elderly 88 103 FA Armin Farokhi Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Arak Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arak, Iran. Ali Yaghobian Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran. Mahdi Najafian Razavi Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran. Amir Moghadam Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran. Objective The high prevalence of falls among the elderly leads to significant adverse health consequences, including reduced quality of life and functional limitations. The primary aim of this study was to examine the effects of mindfulness, balance, and combined exercises on psychological well-being and fear of falling in inactive elderly individuals. Methods The subjects of this research were 48 elderly men aged 65 to 75 years, who were selected voluntarily based on the study's objectives from among the elderly men in Mashhad, Iran. They were randomly assigned to one of four groups (n=12): (1) Mindfulness Practice Group, (2) Balance Practice Group, (3) Combined Practice Group, and (4) Control Group. The research employed a semi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test assessments. Participants first completed the Fall Efficacy Questionnaire and the Psychological Well-being Scale as a pre-test. Subsequently, those in the intervention groups participated in balance exercises, mindfulness exercises, or combined exercises for 16 sessions, each lasting 60 minutes (three times a week), according to their group's protocol. Results The findings indicated a significant difference in the effects of mindfulness, balance, and combined exercises on psychological well-being and fear of falling in inactive elderly individuals (p<0.001). Conclusion All three interventions—balance exercises, mindfulness exercises, and combined exercises—were effective in improving psychological well-being and reducing the fear of falling among inactive elderly individuals. Notably, the combined exercise method (balance and mindfulness) had a greater impact on psychological well-being and fear of falling compared to the other methods.

Islamic Azad University, Hamedan Branch Journal of Sport Biomechanics 2476-4906 10 2 2024 8 1 Comparison of 8 Weeks of Selected TRX Training and Weight Training on Improving Motor Function and Chronic Nonspecific Back Pain in Women Aged 35 to 55 104 120 FA Fatemeh Rezaei Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Isfahan Branch (Khorasgan), Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran. Objective The aim of this study was to compare the effects of 8 weeks of selected TRX exercises and weight training on improving motor function and chronic nonspecific low back pain in women aged 35 to 55 years. Methods Thirty female patients with chronic nonspecific back pain, who were willing to participate in the study, were selected and divided into two groups: weight training (Age: 44.20 ± 7.46 years, Height: 1.65 ± 0.03 m, Weight: 58.60 ± 3.69 kg, Body Mass Index: 21.38 ± 1.76 kg/m²) and TRX (Age: 47.26 ± 5.86 years, Height: 1.66 ± 0.02 m, Weight: 56.13 ± 4.40 kg, Body Mass Index: 20.18 ± 1.32 kg/m²). After group assignment, kyphosis and lordosis were measured using a flexible ruler, and functional movement was assessed with the Functional Movement Screening (FMS) test. Pain levels were recorded using a pain questionnaire. Both groups performed their respective exercises for 8 weeks, with 3 sessions per week. Post-test measurements were conducted after the 8-week intervention. To analyze the data and determine any significant differences between group means at various stages, statistical methods such as analysis of covariance, paired t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and Wilcoxon tests were used, depending on the normality of data distribution. Results The results of this study demonstrated that both weight training (P ≤ 0.01) and TRX (P ≤ 0.01) programs significantly reduced pain, improved motor function, and decreased kyphosis and lordosis. When comparing the two training groups, no significant differences were observed except in the kyphosis variable (P = 0.002), where a difference was found (P > 0.05). Conclusion Both types of exercises were effective in strengthening the trunk area, reducing pain, and addressing musculoskeletal disorders. These exercises appear to lower the risk of injury and enhance performance by improving motor function. Additionally, by applying theories that emphasize strengthening the core muscles and mobilizing the limbs, it can be concluded that participation in these exercises improves the performance of women suffering from musculoskeletal pain.

Islamic Azad University, Hamedan Branch Journal of Sport Biomechanics 2476-4906 10 2 2024 8 1 Knee Injuries in Volleyball Players: A Review Report 122 142 FA Sahar Farohki Department of Sports Biomechanics, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. Ali Fatahi Department of Sports Biomechanics, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. Objective Knee injuries, both in terms of severity and frequency, are among the most significant injuries in the sport of volleyball. The objective of this research was to review the relevant literature on knee injuries in volleyball. Methods This study was a library-based review, examining articles written in Persian and English published between 2000 and 2023. Articles were sourced from reputable domestic and international databases. Out of a total of 769 extracted articles, 104 were selected and thoroughly reviewed based on predefined criteria. Results The findings indicated that knee injuries are the second most common type of injury in volleyball. Among different age and gender groups, the highest injury rate was observed in semi-professional female volleyball players, with a rate of 7.7 injuries per 1000 athlete-hours. Ligament injuries were the most common type of knee injury reported in volleyball. The primary contributing factor to these injuries was the force applied to the lower limbs, particularly in unfavorable body positions during initial impact. Preventive exercises, including strength training, core stability, neuromuscular, and combined exercises, were recommended in the literature. Conclusion This study highlights the importance of addressing knee injuries in volleyball, particularly among female athletes. Emphasizing balanced jumping and landing techniques, along with a focus on effective preventive exercises, such as strength training, core stability, and neuromuscular exercises, is recommended based on the relevant research literature.

Islamic Azad University, Hamedan Branch Journal of Sport Biomechanics 2476-4906 10 2 2024 8 1 The Effect of a Combined Scapula and Shoulder Exercise Program with Kinesio Tape on Pain, Shoulder Proprioception, and Upper Limb Function in Swimmers with Shoulder Impingement Syndrome 144 158 FA Seyedeh Farzaneh Sadri Department of Corrective Exercises and Sport Injury, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Isfahan Islamic Azad University (Khorasgan), Isfahan, Iran. Mohammad Saleki Department of Corrective Exercises and Sport Injury, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Isfahan Islamic Azad University (Khorasgan), Isfahan, Iran. Objective The present study aimed to determine the effect of a combined scapula and shoulder exercise program with Kinesio Tape on pain, shoulder proprioception, and upper limb function in swimmers with shoulder impingement syndrome. Methods In this study, 30 swimmers with shoulder impingement syndrome were purposefully selected and randomly divided into two groups: a control group (15 participants) and an exercise group (15 participants). After completing the consent form, anthropometric measurements, including height and weight, were taken. Pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), shoulder proprioception was measured using a goniometer, and upper limb function was evaluated using the Upper Limb Y Test. The exercise group performed the prescribed exercises for 8 weeks, with three sessions per week. After the training program concluded, post-tests were administered. To compare the research variables between the experimental and control groups, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and paired t-tests were used. If the data were not normally distributed, the Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were employed to compare the groups and assess the effect of the training. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 24. Results The results showed that the exercise program had a significant effect on reducing pain (p=0.001), increasing proprioception (p=0.002), and improving upper limb function (p=0.001). Additionally, intergroup comparisons revealed a significant difference between the two groups in the variables of pain (p=0.004), proprioception (p=0.001), and upper limb function (p=0.001). Conclusion Overall, the results of this study demonstrate the effectiveness of a combined scapula and shoulder exercise program with Kinesio Tape in reducing pain, enhancing proprioception, and improving upper limb function in swimmers with shoulder impingement syndrome. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating these exercises to enhance the health and performance of swimmers affected by this condition.

Islamic Azad University, Hamedan Branch Journal of Sport Biomechanics 2476-4906 10 2 2024 8 1 The Effect of Six Weeks of Core Stability Training on Balance and Performance Improvement Among Male Taekwondo Athletes 160 173 FA Ebrahim Ebrahimi Department of Corrective Exercise & Sport Injury, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran. Somayeh Mozafari Department of Corrective Exercise & Sport Injury, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran. Objective Taekwondo is an Olympic combat sport that demands skills such as jumping and quick directional changes. Core stability exercises may be an effective method to enhance the performance of taekwondo athletes. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to examine the effects of six weeks of core stability exercises on improving balance and performance in male taekwondo practitioners. Methods This quasi-experimental field study involved 30 male taekwondo athletes aged 10-15 from Mashhad city. Participants were selected based on judgment sampling and randomly divided into two groups of 15 each. The single-hop test and triple-hop test were used to assess performance, while the Y balance test evaluated balance. Pre-tests were conducted to measure the research variables before implementing a six-week core stability exercise program for the experimental group. After the training period, post-tests were administered using the same procedures as the pre-tests. Results The findings indicated that completing six weeks of core stability training significantly improved dynamic balance in the medial-posterior direction (P=0.021) and overall performance (P=0.002) in the experimental group compared to the control group. Conclusion Core stability exercises can help reduce injuries and enhance athletic performance. This study aimed to investigate the impact of six weeks of core stability exercises on the balance and performance of young male taekwondo athletes. The results suggest that core stability exercises effectively improve both balance and performance in taekwondo practitioners, leading to enhanced athletic performance.

Islamic Azad University, Hamedan Branch Journal of Sport Biomechanics 2476-4906 10 2 2024 8 1 The Effect of Six Weeks of Patella Taping on Pain in Women with Knee Osteoarthritis 174 186 FA Maryam Alikhani Department pf Sport Injury and Corrective Movements, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, South Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. Hamid Tabatabai Department pf Sport Injury and Corrective Movements, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, South Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. Objective This study aimed to assess the effect of six weeks of patella taping on pain levels in women with knee osteoarthritis. Methods This research was an applied, semi-experimental study. The study population consisted of middle-aged women aged 30 to 50 years. Using convenience sampling, 30 women with knee osteoarthritis, referred to an orthopedic clinic in Tehran, were selected as the study sample. The participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (15 women) or the control group (15 women). Pain was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The experimental group received patella taping for six weeks. Data analysis was performed using Paired-Sample T Test for intra-group comparisons and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) for inter-group comparisons. All analyses were conducted using SPSS version 26, with a significance level set at 0.05. Results The experimental group showed a significant reduction in pain levels, with a mean difference of 2.91, a t-value of 2.67, and a significance level of p=0.04 between the pre-test and post-test. In contrast, the control group exhibited a mean difference of 0.11, a t-value of 0.74, and a significance level of p=0.32, indicating no significant effect. The ANCOVA results also revealed a significant difference between the two groups in the post-test (p=0.03). Conclusion The findings suggest that patella taping has a positive effect on reducing knee pain in women with osteoarthritis. Therefore, sports trainers and physiotherapists are encouraged to consider patella taping as a non-pharmacological intervention to alleviate pain in women with knee osteoarthritis.