Effect of a specialized injury prevention program on static balance, dynamic balance and kicking accuracy of young soccer players

AIM To study the effect of balance intervention program using the "FIFA 11+" program on static and dynamic balance and kicking accuracy of young soccer players.METHODS Twenty young soccer players were allocated to experimental(n = 10) or control(n = 10) groups. The experimental group performed the "FIFA 11+" program three times a week for six weeks. The control group performed their normal warm-up routine. The primary outcomes were measured pre and post intervention, and assessed kicking accuracy, static balance and dynamic balance.RESULTS No differences were found in kicking accuracy following intervention, for both groups, however, static balance improved significantly among the experimental group with significant interaction with the control group, and with high effect size. In addition, the dynamic balance of the left leg of the experimental group, with medium effect size for interaction between groups.CONCLUSION The large effect size of balance improvement that was observed following six weeks of intervention sessions, implies that soccer trainers and coaches should consider the inclusion of "FIFA 11+" as components of programs aimed at improving balance ability/control in young soccer players, as improvement in balance abilities may prevent injuries.

RAAS and adrenergic genes in heart failure: Function, predisposition and survival implications

It is well appreciated that several neurohormones and signaling cascades are activated that promote long-term deterioration of cardiac function and structure. Activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and the adrenergic system is closely related to heart failure. Common gene variants that encode neurohormonal, adrenergic and intracellular proteins have been demonstrated to modulate the course and consequences of heart failure. However, the literature is replete with conflicting results and it remains uncertain as to whether particular gene variants predispose heart failure. Therefore, the main purpose of this review was to discuss the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are located in genes encoding elements of the RAAS and the adrenergic system on the predisposition to and survival from heart failure. Most studies indicate that common SNPs encoding elements of the RAAS and the adrenergic system do not predispose individuals to heart failure. Conversely, it has been demonstrated that ARB1 Arg389Gly, GRK5 Gln41Leu, ACE I/D, CYP11B2 C-344T and AGTR1 A+1166C modulate pharmacological responses and have a considerable impact on cardiacrelated survival. It should not be expected, however, that a single polymorphism determines survival, given that multiple gene products and environmental factors contribute to the pathogenesis of heart failure. Therefore, future studies should consider the interaction effects of multiple genes in populations that are as homogeneous as possible with respect to environmental characteristics.

Perceptions of Injured Athletes after Eight Weeks of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Program

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction(MBSR)has been extensively ap­plied as a clinical intervention by researchers’who have made on-the-spot decisions research as part of their practice.This research was provided via a knowledge transfer of 8 weeks of MBSR based on the original MBSR version.The main objective of this study was to offer a qualitative explorative insight into the perceived experience of participating in a MBSR program for injured athletes.A semi structured interview was con­ducted with each injured athlete who participated in this study.A thematic analysis was applied to explore the themes which emerged from injured athletes’experience after 8 weeks of participation in a MBSR program.Five themes emerged from injured athletes’attitudes towards MBSR:1)Reconnecting with the body,2)Reconnecting with the mind,3)Passivity of MBSR as opposed to the athletic praxis,4)Group versus self-guided MBSR,5)Acceptance of pain.These different themes are presented and discussed below.This particular qualitative exploratory investigation was based on injured athletes’experiences in this study;MBSR can benefit them during the sport rehabilitation process.As such,the findings will promote scientific understanding about the effectiveness of MBSR as a clinical intervention.It should also be noted that,more investigation is required to find out about the role of mindfulness meditation in terms of therapeutic aspects with injured athletes.

Chronic exercise training versus acute endurance exercise in reducing neurotoxicity in rats exposed to lead acetate

After intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/kg lead acetate, rats received 8 weeks of treadmill exercise （15-22 m/min, 25-64 minutes） and/or treadmill exercise at 1.6 km/h until exhaustion. The markers related to neurotoxicity were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. 8 weeks of treadmill exercise significantly increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor level in the hippocampus （P = 0.04） and plasma level of total antioxidant capacity of rats exposed to lead acetate （P 〈 0.001）, and significantly decreased plasma level of malondialdehyde （P 〈 0.001）. Acute exercise only decreased the hippocampal malondialdehyde level （P = 0.09） and increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor level in the hippocampus （P = 0.66）. Acute exercise also enhanced the total antioxidant capacity in rats exposed to lead acetate, insignificantly （P = 0.99）, These findings suggest that chronic treadmill exercise can significantly decrease neurotoxicity and alleviate oxidative stress in rats exposed to lead acetate. However, acute endurance exercise was not associated with these beneficial effects.

Photobiomodulation:A Potential Non-invasive Method to Alleviate Neurological Events Following COVID-19 Infection

In the past several months,confirmed cases have surged as many countries have loosened their bans on Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)epidemic prevention and control.As a respiratory infectious disease caused by a novel coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2,COVID-19 emerged in late December 2019 and lasted for more than three years worldwide[1].