https://smj.ssrc.ac.ir/ Studies in Sport Medicine en daily 1 Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0330 Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0330 https://smj.ssrc.ac.ir/article_3899.html The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of chronic exercise on structure and function of carotid artery in elite female basketball and volleyball players as high-risk and low-risk groups (respectively) based on the prevalence of sudden death between different sports using a novel method. We recruited elite volleyball players (n=20), basketball players (n=20), and non-athlete females as control group (n = 20) with (mean age of 26±4 years, height of 174±3.5 cm, weight of 68±4 Kg and at least eight years of playing experience for the athlete group). Carotid artery diameter, wall thickness, tensile and shear stress, blood flow velocity, strain, and compliance were assessed using high-resolution ultrasound. The results showed that mean carotid artery diameter, intima-media thickness in systolic and diastolic stages, peak systole velocity, and maximum shear stress in basketball group were significantly higher than in control group, but no significant difference was observed between basketball and volleyball player groups and between volleyball and control groups. There were no significant difference in height, weight, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, minimum shear stress, carotid diameter in diastolic phase, and end diastole velocity between the three groups. It seems that the thickness change of the arterial wall in basketball group happens systemically in response to exercise and to control tensile stress. Conversely, in basketball group, localized effects are obvious with respect to the effect of exercise on arterial diameter in response to shear stress control. https://smj.ssrc.ac.ir/article_4423.html The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of an eight-week water trampoline exercise program on balance, muscle strength, gait performance, and proprioception in elderly men. Thirty elderly male participants were randomly assigned to two groups: experimental (15 participants) and control (15 participants). Before and after the eight-week (three sessions per week), static balance (functional reach test), dynamic balance (timed up and go test), muscle strength (isokinetic dynamometer and 30-second sit-to-stand test), hamstring-to-quadriceps muscle strength ratio (isokinetic ), knee proprioception (isokinetic ), and gait performance (foot scan system) were measured. Fall risk was assessed using the Hopkins Falls Risk Questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using repeated measures analysis of variance (p<0.05). significant differences were observed in post-test compared to pre-test for static balance (p=0.030) and dynamic balance (p=0.001). Gait performance showed significant differences in the right leg component (p=0.010) and left leg component (p=0.030), while no significant differences were observed in other factors (p> 0.05). Proprioception (p=0.02), overall lower limb muscle strength (p=0.001), knee flexor strength (p=0.001), and knee extensor strength (p=0.03) showed significant differences. However, no significant difference was observed in the hamstring-to-quadriceps muscle strength ratio (p=0.38). Additionally, fall risk was significantly lower in the experimental group compared to the control group (p<0.05).Based on the results, water trampoline exercise improves static and dynamic balance, muscle strength, and reduces fall risk in elderly men. Therefore, water trampoline exercises are recommended for the elderly to help improve their balance and reduce the risk of falls. https://smj.ssrc.ac.ir/article_4927.html Objective: Rock climbing is a sport activity that is usually performed outdoors on natural rocks or indoors on artificial supports and surfaces. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence rate, frequency, and anatomical regions of various sports injuries in indoor rock climbers.Materials and Methods: The present study was applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-field and retrospective in terms of data collection. The statistical population of the study was indoor rock climbers in Tehran. In order to investigate the prevalence and frequency of injuries, Wright and Jones questionnaires were used. In order to investigate the relationship between risk factors for injuries in indoor rock climbing, a logistic regression test was performed using SPSS version 27 at a significance level of P<0.05.Results: About 84.4% of the respondents suffered from overuse injuries and 69.4% from overtraining injuries. The most common limb involved in injury was the fingers. Data analysis showed that sports history, number of climbs per year, difficulty of training route, and number of sessions per week had a direct impact on climbers' injuries. The main sources of treatment or advice for climbers were physiotherapists with 34.7%.Conclusion: Many climbers suffer from overuse injuries. Those with the greatest ability and expertise in climbing are at the highest risk. https://smj.ssrc.ac.ir/article_4985.html This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of orthotic insoles and taping on the coordination pattern of forefoot and rearfoot segments during the stance phase of running in women with flat feet. Twenty-four female university students (12 with flat feet and 12 healthy controls) were recruited. Kinematic data were collected using a 3D motion capture system, and coordination patterns were analyzed using the Continuous Relative Phase (CRP) method across four subphases of stance. Participants in the flat-foot group were tested under three conditions: baseline, with insoles, and with taping, while the control group was assessed at baseline only. The results revealed significant differences in intersegmental coordination between flat-footed and healthy individuals at baseline (P<0.001). Both interventions (insoles and taping) reduced these differences, with coordination patterns becoming more similar to those of the control group. However, no significant difference was found between the effectiveness of insoles and taping (P>0.05). These findings suggest that both interventions may serve as effective short-term strategies to modify segmental coupling patterns and improve lower limb biomechanics in individuals with flat feet. https://smj.ssrc.ac.ir/article_5096.html The study aimed to investigate the effect of foot orthosis (silicone insole) on the electromyographic activity of sellected lower limb muscles in female basketball players with ankle sprains. A semi-experimental design was used with a pre-test and post-test setup. The study sample included 10 young female basketball players with ankle sprain injuries, selected using convenience sampling. The muscle activity of the rectus femoris, biceps femoris, gastrocnemius, and anterior tibialis was measured using electromyography device and bipolar gel surface electrodes during vertical jumps, both with and without orthoses. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 26 using ANOVA for repeated measures test. There were significant differences in muscle activities of rectus femoris (P=0.04), biceps femoris (P=0.046), and gastrocnemius (P=0.011), showing decreased activity with the silicone insoles.The use of silicone insoles may decrease lower limb muscle activity, suggesting their potential utility for therapists and players in injury prevention, therapeutic decision-making, and return to sport. https://smj.ssrc.ac.ir/article_5099.html Due to deficits in auditory input and balance, deaf children often exhibit impairments in gait patterns and postural control compared to their healthy peers. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of an 8-week cognitive–balance training program on the biomechanical characteristics of gait—including spatiotemporal parameters, their variability, and ground reaction forces (GRF)—in children with congenital deafness, and to compare the outcomes with healthy children. To this end, 15 congenitally deaf boys and 15 age-matched healthy boys were purposefully selected. The deaf group underwent cognitive–balance training for 8 weeks (three sessions per week, approximately 70 minutes per session), while the healthy group received no intervention. Gait assessments under barefoot and self-selected speed conditions were conducted pre- and post-intervention using a Vicon motion analysis system and Kistler force plates. Results showed a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the variability of certain spatiotemporal parameters such as gait speed, step length, and step time in the deaf group after training. Additionally, GRF analysis revealed increased propulsive force during push-off and improved mediolateral stability during mid-stance (p < 0.05). Overall, the cognitive–balance training program led to improvements in motor coordination, postural stability, and reduced gait variability in deaf children. These findings support the efficacy of cognitive–motor interventions in enhancing gait quality and balance in this population and may inform the design of targeted rehabilitation programs for children with special needs. https://smj.ssrc.ac.ir/article_4495.html Introduction: Aging is associated with many problems, including balance disorder, so the aim of present study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of multicomponent exercise program (MEP) and balance exercise circuit (BEC) on balance, proprioception and fear of falling in elderly women.Methodology: The participants were 30 elderly women who were selected from health centers and were randomly divided into two groups of BEC and MEP. Static balance (Foot Scan Device and Functional Reach Test), dynamic balance(Y Balance Test and Timed Up and Go), proprioception (Biodex device) and fear of falling (Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) Questionnaire) were measured before and after eight weeks of BEC and MEP in two groups. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA method (P<0/05).Results: Significant differences were observed between for the index of static balance, dynamic balance, proprioception at 30 and 60 degree angles and the fear of falling score in elderly women in both group of BEC and MEP (P<0/05), but no significant differences were observed between the two groups in all factors except functional reach test and proprioception tests (P>0/05). Conclusion: It can be concluded that both methods of exercise have been effective and multicomponent exercise program caused almost more improvement in the performance of elderly women than balance exercise circuit, therefore it is recommended to include MEP in the exercise program of the elderly. https://smj.ssrc.ac.ir/article_5097.html Introduction: The isokinetic hamstring-to-quadriceps strength ratio is a key predictor of hamstring injuries in soccer. This study examined the effect of an eight-week "Football Plus" program on this ratio in young male amateur players.Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 30 players were divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group performed the Football Plus program as a warm-up twice weekly for eight weeks, while the control group continued their traditional warm-up. Isokinetic strength of the muscles was measured at 60°/s and 180°/s before and after the intervention, and conventional and functional ratios were calculated.Results: Data analysis revealed that the functional H/Q ratio at 60°/s in the left leg showed a significant between-group difference (p = 0.009). Similarly, this ratio at 180°/s in the left leg was also significant between groups (p = 0.002). Six other variables, including conventional and functional ratios at different speeds for both legs, showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups.Conclusion: Implementing the eight-week Football Plus program can improve the functional hamstring-to-quadriceps ratio in amateur soccer players. Although the program did not alter conventional strength ratios, its use as a warm-up routine could be a practical and effective strategy for injury prevention. The findings support incorporating structured warm-up programs like Football Plus into regular training to enhance muscle balance and potentially reduce injury risks in amateur athletes. https://smj.ssrc.ac.ir/article_5111.html Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury impairs the mechanical stability and neuromuscular control of the knee, posing substantial challenges for elite athletes returning to their preinjury level of performance. Given the critical role of muscle strength and balance in successful rehabilitation after ACL reconstruction (ACLR), this study aimed to compare the effects of eccentric training and conventional rehabilitation on muscle strength and single-leg balance in the reconstructed limb of elite athletes. In this quasi-experimental study, 30 elite athletes who were at least four months post-ACLR were randomly allocated to either an eccentric training group or a conventional rehabilitation group. Participants completed a 10-week intervention program consisting of three sessions per week. Quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength were assessed using a Biodex dynamometer, whereas single-leg balance parameters, including center-of-pressure (CoP) sway and CoP velocity, were evaluated using a force plate. Independent t-tests were used to compare baseline characteristics between groups, and repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to examine within- and between-group changes over time, with the significance level set at p < 0.05. Both interventions significantly improved muscle strength and balance. However, the eccentric training group demonstrated greater increases in peak torque and better symmetry between the reconstructed and contralateral limbs. These findings suggest that eccentric training may provide a more effective approach than conventional rehabilitation for enhancing muscle strength and single-leg balance during rehabilitation in elite athletes following ACL reconstruction.