Sport Sciences and Health Research

Background: The study of the psychological effects of this viral disease on the mental health of individuals at different levels of society, especially elite athletes, is of great importance.Aim: Present study aimed to investigate the psychological status of elite athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic.Materials and Methods: The statistical population of this study included 87 Iranian elite and national athletes in various sports. The statistical population of this study included 87 elite and national athletes in various sports. Data were collected using the stress, anxiety, depression inventory (DASS-14), perceived stress inventory (PSS-14), the revised event impact inventory (IES-R), and the Graz Emotional Disorders Questionnaire.Results: There is no significant difference between the components of depression, anxiety, event impact, and emotional disorders (P≥0.05). There is a significant difference between the mean scores obtained by elite athletes and the mean scores of the stress component (P=0.01). The mean scores obtained by elite athletes were lower than the mean scores in the perceived stress component (P=0.001).Conclusion: The elite Iranian athletes in the Corona pandemic are in a relatively good psychological state.

Background: Education is a social process in which human beings reach social competence and individual growth. An institution that does this process is called the school. Among schools, primary schools are the most important environment for socialization and education of children, so physical education programs at this stage can provide conditions for the development of motor literacy and thus a healthy and active lifestyle. While refreshing the school yard and stimulating and encouraging the students' visual sense to engage in sports, the dynamic yard design provides a suitable ground for children to play spontaneously.Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the dynamic yard design on the physical, mental and academic performance of elementary school students.Materials and Methods: This research has been done by the library method to review related articles, take notes and infer from them.Results: The results of the research indicate that between the implementation of the dynamic yard plan and the variables of physical activity, vitality, reduction of behavioral incompatibilities, academic performance, and physical self-concept (athletic fitness, fat burning, physical appearance, flexibility, health, and self-esteem), there is a positive and significant relationship.Conclusion: Enriching the schoolyard by drawing play shapes and purposeful plans and encouraging students to do physical activities in their spare time can positively affect behavioral patterns, enthusiasm, learning, institutionalizing exercise at an early age, and developing basic skills and have public sports.

Background: Epidemiology studies the prevalence of a disease or injury in a particular society. In fact, the focus is on the study of injury type, body part of injury, the duration of an athlete's absence from sports, severity, treatment costs due to the injury, etc. Taekwondo is one of the most popular sports in Iran which has high injuries due to its contact nature.Aim: This study aimed to identify gaps, and address challenges in the literature on injuries among Iranian taekwondo athletes. To achieve this, the study reviewed research on taekwondo injuries among Iranian athletes, with a specific focus on the incidence rate of injuries, the most commonly injured body locations, the types of injuries, and other epidemiological indexes.Materials and Methods: To conduct the study, databases including "sid.ir", "Magiran", "Iran doc", "Google Scholar", "ScienceDirect", "Scopus", and "PubMed" were searched using keywords including "taekwondo", "taekwondo injury", "epidemiology", "injury rate", "Iranian taekwondo", "sport epidemiology" and "Iran epidemiology". Articles relevant to the subject published between 2005 and 2023 were selected for analysis, focusing specifically on studies related to the epidemiology of taekwondo injuries in Iranian athletes.Results: Total of 70 research were found. The analysis showed sprain and strain with 38.70% and bruises with 30.60% as the most reported types of injury, lower extremity injured mostly with the average of 33.12%.Conclusion: The gap of considering the injury type and severity was observed in most studies. The nature of injury and injury chronometry are of indexes paid less attention as well. Regard to the studies, injuries in the lower extremity are mostly occurred in Iranian taekwondo athletes. A study in epidemiology of taekwondo injuries included all epidemiological indexes in Iranian taekwondo athletes is necessary.

Background: Dynamic knee valgus (DKV) is due to the weakness of the thigh abductor muscles and the vastus medialis muscle, which increases the internal rotation of the thigh and increases the possibility of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. The amount of DKV in women is higher than men, which is one of the reasons for the possibility of more injury in women. Aim: The aim of the present study was the effect of acute soccer functional fatigue on knee and trunk kinematic factors in female soccer players with and without DKV during single leg landing. Materials and Methods: The present study is quasi-experimental research conducted on 28 female soccer players who were selected using purposeful and convenience sampling. They were classified into two groups with and without DKV. The subjects performed a single leg soccer landing, and the kinematic changes of the participants' trunk and knees were recorded through high-speed video cameras (SONY camera) in two sagittal and frontal planes and analyzed by Kinovea software. The data were analyzed in SPSS-26 software using a mixed ANOVA statistical test.Results The results revealed a significant interaction effect between fatigue conditions and groups on knee and trunk joint angles in frontal plane in the initial contact with the ground in single leg landing. The results showed that fatigue significantly reduced knee flexion and increased knee valgus and trunk lateral flexion increased significantly after fatigue. Conclusion: The results indicated the acute effect of fatigue on knee and trunk kinematics of female soccer players with DKV. Therefore, by increasing the amount of knee and trunk flexion and correcting the landing technique, the possibility of ACL injury in fatigue can be reduced.

Background: Metabolic diseases such as type 1 diabetes is considered the most important threat factor for cardiovascular complaint. Although the pathological mechanisms underpinning the development of T1D are delicate to define, better understanding of the molecular aspects is most important to identify new remedial targets.Aim: Evaluating of the effect of two selected resistance and recreational sport activities on microRNA-148a expression and some biomarkers in children with type 1 diabetes.Materials and Methods: Twenty type 1 diabetic children were assigned randomly to resistance exercise (RE), (n=10, age=12.6 years), and recreational sport activities (RSA), (n=10, age=12.4 years) groups. Participants engaged in an 8-week exercise training, 3 sessions/week. The miR-148-a, HbA1c, glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR levels have been assessed before and after exercise interventions.Results: Following the exercise interventions, the concentration of miR-148-a exhibited a non-significant increase in both groups. Nevertheless, no significant differences were noted in the reduction of insulin resistance or in the levels of insulin itself (P≤ 0.05). The level of HbA1c decreased but the cardio-respiratory endurance of subjects increased.Conclusion: Both the resistance and recreational sport activities were effective to improve in cardiorespiratory fitness, diabetic markers, and miR-148a changes that seem to be indicative of the pathological status of type 1 diabetic children.

Background: This study addresses the challenge of enhancing selective attention in skilled badminton players, a critical cognitive skill for optimal performance, by investigating the combined effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and mindfulness training.Aim: The present study was conducted to investigated the effects of a tDCS-mindfulness program on selective attention in skilled badminton players.Materials and Methods: Thirty-six male badminton players (mean age= 23.78±3.09 years) were selected based on exclude and include criteria and randomly divided into three groups of 12, A-tDCS-Mindfulness, sham-tDCS-Mindfulness (five sessions), and control. The Edinburgh Hand Test was used to determine the dominant hemisphere of the brain. The Computerized Stroop Test was used to measure selective attention capacity. Nonparametric Wilcoxon, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were used.Results: The results showed that the within-group changes in both A-tDCS and sham-tDCS mindfulness groups, it was able to have a significant improvement on the Stroop test score and time of interference. In the comparison between groups effect, it was also found that there is a significant difference in time and score between the three groups, and respectively, the A-tDCS mindfulness, sham-tDCS mindfulness and the control group had the best performance. Based on the results of the present research, it was found that the presentation of A-tDCS mindfulness can be more effective on the time and score of selective attention of badminton players.Conclusion: Results suggest that the use of tDCS along with mindfulness can improve selective attention in badminton players.

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) impose a heavy burden on individuals, organizations, and governments.Aim: The purpose of this study was to provide information about WMSDs and working posture. This information can be helpful in designing preventive programs.Materials and Methods: The present study is a descriptive-analytical study. 207 subjects participated in this study. For WMSDs investigation and postural assessment during work, Nordic Questionnaire and Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) method were used, respectively. Gathered data from research variables measurement analyzed using Chi-square test and descriptive statistics. A p value of equal or less than 0.05 took into account to be statistically significant.Results: The most prevalent work–related musculoskeletal disorder was found in lower back region, the percentage for large, medium and small ships staff was 58%, 61.7% and 45.1%, respectively. A significant relationship was found between WMSDs in neck (P=0.001), hands and wrists (P=0.02), back (P=0.04) and knees (P=0.001) and used ship by staff. A higher proportion of level four corrective action, was found in small ship staff.Conclusion: WMSDs are prevalent among staff of all ships. WMSDs are more prevalent in lower back. Also, immediate change in posture and investigation is more necessary in small ship staff.

Background: Identifying the practice conditions that optimize the learning of motor skills is one of the main objectives in the field of human motor learning research.Aim: Present study aimed to explore the effect of success criteria in low-error practice conditions on motor learning, self-efficacy, and mood states among female students.Materials and Methods: This practical quasi-experimental study was conducted in a field setting. The participants were 30 female students from Yazd University, selected through convenience sampling. After they completed the consent form, the selected participants were randomly divided into three groups: low-error practice with a large target (n= 10), low-error practice with a small target (n= 10), and a low-error control group (n= 10). Then, mixed ANOVA was applied in order to test the hypotheses and data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 23, with a significance level set at P < 0.05.Results: The findings indicate that both the large (P=0.003) and small (P=0.001) target groups significantly outperformed the control group (P=0 .033) regarding the difference in performance accuracy. Moreover, In the small target group, a significant difference was observed only in the happiness subscale considering mood states (P=0.001), while in the large target group, significant differences were found in the tension (P=0 .003), depression (P=0.001), and fatigue subscales (P= 0.001). Regarding self-efficacy, significant differences were observed in the power dimension in both the large (P=0 .001) and small target groups (P=0.003)Conclusion: The use of success criteria in low-error practice methods is beneficial, and it is recommended to adopt this approach to improve accuracy and stability in practice sessions.

Background: The effects of wearing common masks during maximal exercise activities on individuals remain unclear.Aim: This study aimed to examine the effect of wearing surgical and N-95 masks on physiological, perceptual, and performance responses in healthy men performing a maximal shuttle run test.Materials and Methods: Fifteen healthy men (age 23.78 ± 2.0) participated in three sessions: without a mask, with a surgical mask, and with an N-95 mask, with a one-week interval between each session. After each test, physiological variables (heart rate, blood lactate concentration, and oxygen saturation), perceptual variables (comfort/discomfort and perceived exertion), and performance variables (maximum oxygen consumption and shuttle run test duration) were measured. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA to compare differences between the conditions.Results: Significant differences were observed between the conditions with and without a mask in terms of oxygen saturation (P= 0.043), blood lactate concentration (P= 0.026), and perceived exertion, maximum oxygen consumption, and shuttle run test duration (P= 0.001), with the no-mask condition demonstrating superior outcomes in all variables. The type of mask (surgical or N-95) did not significantly affect the measured variables. Wearing both masks led to an increased sensation of moisture, heat, shortness of breath, and fatigue.Conclusion: Wearing masks, especially during intense physical activities, may impair physiological and performance metrics, recommending mask-free outdoor settings when feasible.

Background: Players are under more pressure in soccer matches. In those conditions, they must use visual information to make better decisions. However, few studies have investigated such conditions of soccer players.Aim: The aim of the present study investigates the effect of under-pressure conditions on decision-making and visual search behavior of soccer players.Materials and Methods: Eighteen soccer players with a mean age of 14.5 (and SD ±1.5) from Tehran Youth Premier League took part in this study. Decision-making task included 60 images of 3 simulated soccer conditions on a monitor including neutral (no pressure), result pressure, and monitoring pressure. During all of these conditions, eye movements were assessed by an eye tracker device.Results: The results of repeated measures ANOVA test showed the speed and accuracy of decision making, the number of fixations and the mean duration of eye fixation were significantly affected in all three conditions. In addition, the results showed a significant reduction in decision-making speed in two conditions of result and monitoring pressures and a significant increase in decision accuracy and the mean number and duration of eye fixation in the two conditions of result and monitoring pressures compared to neutral pressure.Conclusion: Due to the changes in visual and speed-accuracy mechanism of decision making and the importance of these factors in the successful performance of soccer players, it is recommended that soccer coaches create psychological pressure conditions during training sessions, ask players to see with better concentration and attention, and to decide more quickly and accurately so that they can better overcome the challenges in competition environment.

Background: Researchers have always been interested in the focus of attention and the quiet eye. However, the effect of distance of attentional strategy in different anxiety conditions has remained unclear.Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of attentional strategies on gaze behavior and the performance of dart throwing in novices under anxiety conditions.Materials and Methods: The participants were 42 female, Alzahra University students, aged 18-35 years. Participants with high trait anxiety (score higher than 24) were excluded using the Sports Competition Anxiety Test through a state anxiety questionnaire. Participants were randomly divided into two groups of high and low-trait anxiety. They performed the dart-throwing task counterbalanced in four different attention strategies (distal external attention, proximal external attention, internal attention, and control). The participants in the high-anxiety group were told that if they performed each throw correctly, they would receive a cash prize, and the low-anxiety group performed the throwing without anxiety and any instruction. At the same time as dart throwing, gaze behavior data was recorded with an eye tracker device. After the anxiety manipulation, the individual's anxiety was measured with Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2.Results: The results showed that the low-anxiety group performed better than the high-anxiety group (P=0.01). Also, external attention had a lower radial error in both high and low-anxiety groups. No significant difference was found in the average duration and number of fixations between different attentional strategies and groups. The comparison of the mean showed that in the low anxiety group, the fixation duration in the external attention strategy was longer, and in the high anxiety group, the fixation duration in the external attention and control strategies was longer than other strategies.Conclusion: The present study supported the preplanning hypothesis, attentional control theory, and inhibition hypothesis, but was inconsistent with the restricted action hypothesis. These results showed the importance of the effect of anxiety on gaze behavior and performance in directing future research.

Background: The FIFA 11+ program has been shown to be effective in improving physical fitness factors and preventing injuries in soccer players.Aim: The purpose of this study was to review the effect of the FIFA 11+ injury prevention program on youth soccer players’ performance.Materials and Methods: Relevant articles were searched in Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, PEDro, and Google Scholar using the keywords "FIFA 11+", "performance", and "youth". The search yielded 32 articles, of which 14 were shortlisted, and ultimately, four were selected for review.Results: The reviewed articles have indicated that the FIFA 11+ program results in a significant improvement in various performance factors (P < 0.05). These studies demonstrated that the FIFA 11+ program enhances stability, knee flexor muscle strength, sprint performance, agility, Slalom Dribbling, and flexibility. However, no significant improvements were observed in long jump, vertical jump, VO2max, balance, and lower extremity range of motion.Conclusion: Studies suggest that the FIFA 11+ warm-up program is more effective than conventional warm-ups in enhancing performance. Therefore, based on the literature reviewed, the FIFA 11+ program is recommended to enhance muscle strength, flexibility, and agility, thereby reducing injury risk in youth football players.