Association between physical fitness and cognitive performance in 19-24 year old males

The present study aimed to explore the association between physical fitness (PF) and cognitive performance in a sample of 19-24 year old males. Two hundred and eleven young males (20.2 +/- 1.5 years) participated in the study. Cognitive functioning tasks including information processing speed and inhibitory control were measured in addition to PF and motor fitness components such as aerobic fitness, static strength, explosive strength, agility and speed. Regression analysis showed that after adjustment for potential confounders (e.g. age, socioeconomic status, adiposity and physical activity), aerobic fitness (represented by shorter time in the one-mile run) was positively associated with composite inhibitory control scores (standardized beta = 0.17; p = 0.04) and negatively associated with Delta Simon (standardized beta = -0.21; p = 0.04). Explosive strength was negatively associated with composite information processing scores (standardized beta = -0.24; P = 0.01), and composite inhibitory control scores (standardized beta = -0.22; p = 0.02). Speed of movement, agility and static strength were not associated with any of the cognitive tests. In conclusion, aerobic fitness and explosive strength but not speed, agility or static strength might be indicators of underlying cognitive functioning tasks in 19-24 year old males

Effect of Exercises in Water and Thera-Band on the Electrical Activity of Lower Limb Muscles in People with Pronated Foot During Walking: A Clinical Trial Study

Introduction: The ankle joint is one of the most vulnerable joints in the body due to weight bearing. Pronated foot is one of the most common complications of the lower limbs. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of exercise protocol in water and theraband on the electrical activity of lower limb muscles in people with pronate foot during walking. Methods: The present research was a clinical trial study that was conducted in a semi-experimental and laboratory. The participants of the present study included 45 students of University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran,  who had pronated foot. They were selected purposefully and divided into three equal groups. The age range of the subjects was 18-25 years. To measure the electrical activity muscles of lower limbs, it was recorded using an electromyography device. Electromyography data were analyzed using biometric datalite program. In addition, analysis of variance with repeated measurements and bonferroni post hoc test was used, and the significance level was P≤0.05. Results: The results showed that there was a significant difference between time*group activity of the gastrocnemius (P=0.001) and semitendinosus (P=0.046) in the three groups of training in water, theraband and control during the heel contact phase. Therefore, using the appropriate post hoc test (LSD), it was shown that the activity of the gastrocnemius muscle in the post-test compared to the pre-test in the group of training in water (P<0.001; d=6.08) and theraband (P<0.001; d=3.66) had a significant increase of 24.03 and 16.46%, respectively. The activity of the semitendinosus muscle in the post-test compared to the pre-test in the water training group (P=0.041; d=4.98) and theraband (P=0.048; d=4.76) had a significant increase of 21.06 and 19.01%, respectively. Conclusion: According to the present study, it seems that doing exercises in water and thera-band can play an effective role in improving the range of electrical activity of the muscles on lower limbs of people with pronated foot during walking. In addition, according to the effect size, it was found that training in water had a better effect on the activity of the gastrocnemius and semi tendinosus compared to thera-band