Effect of combined mental and physical training on the targeting accuracy of patients with multiple sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system, and is cause of motor deficits and physical disability in young adults. This study aimed to determine the effect of combined mental and physical training on the targeting accuracy of patients with MS. This study was conducted on 41 patients with MS (31 women and 10 men) aged 20-50 years, the members of the MS society. The participants were selected through purposive sampling and were randomly divided into four groups of mental training (n=10), physical training (n=11), combined (mental-physical) training (n=11), and the control group (n=9). Dart throwing test was used to evaluate the targeting accuracy of the participants. Expanded disability status scale was used to measure the degree of disability in patients and vividness of movement imagery questionnaire-2 was used to assess the movement imagery ability. Training was performed for 8 weeks (three 15-minute sessions per week). Before and after 8 weeks, the participants. were tested on dart-throwing ability. The targeting accuracy of all training groups was significantly improved compared with the control group. A significant difference was observed in the level of improvement between the combined training group and other groups, but no significant difference was observed between the mental training group and the physical training group. Compared to other methods, combined mental and physical training can be more effective in improving the dart-throwing accuracy of MS patients

Effects of Circuit Resistance Training with Crocus Sativus (Saffron) Supplementation on Plasma Viscosity and Fibrinogen

A limited number of studies has been carried out concerning the combined effects of resistance training and saffron supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of circuit resistance training with Crocus sativus (saffron) supplementation on plasma viscosity and fibrinogen. For this purpose, 44 healthy male subjects, based on individual characteristics and after homogenization, were divided into four groups, including water-training (WT n=11), petal sweat–training (PST n=10), bottom part of flower-training (BFT n=11), and upper part of flower-training (UFT n=12). Resistance training consisted of 12 stations (each station for 30 seconds with 40% of one repetition maximum) for 2 weeks (5 sessions per week). Saffron in the amount of 500 mg was used twice daily, i.e. in the morning and immediately after exercise. Blood samples were taken before and 48 hours after the last exercise session and were analyzed for fibrinogen and plasma viscosity. Significant differences were observed between groups in plasma levels of fibrinogen (P=0.01). The post hoc test showed significant differences between the UFT and PST groups and the UFT and BFT groups (respectively, P=0.04 and P=0.014). In the post-test, plasma fibrinogen had significantly decreased in the WT (P=0.005), PWT (P=0.003), and UFT (P=0.001) groups compared with pre-test data (within group difference). Moreover, plasma viscosity was significantly changed among groups (F3, 37=3.52, P=0.024). The post hoc test showed significant differences between the UFT and WT groups (P=0.037). In post-test data, plasma viscosity had significantly decreased in the WT (P=0.015) and UFT (P<0.001) groups compared with pre-test data. The present results show that circuit resistance training with saffron supplements can reduce cardiovascular risk factors (fibrinogen and plasma viscosity)

The effects of physical activity on adipokines in individuals with overweight/obesity across the lifespan: A narrative review

International audienceThis narrative review summarizes current knowledge on the effects of physical activity (PA) on adipokine levels in individuals with overweight and obesity. Approximately 90 investigations including randomized control, cross-sectional and longitudinal studies that reported on the effects of a single session of PA (acute) or long-term PA (chronic) on adipokine levels in individuals with overweight/obesity were reviewed. The findings support the notion that there is consensus on the benefits of chronic exercise training-regardless of the mode (resistance vs. aerobic), intensity and cohort (healthy vs. diabetes)-on adipokine levels (such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, adiponectin, visfatin, omentin-1 and leptin). However, several confounding factors (frequency, intensity, time and type of exercise) can alter the magnitude of the effects of an acute exercise session. Available evidence suggests that PA, as a part of routine lifestyle behaviour, improves obesity complications by modulating adipokine levels. However, additional research is needed to help identify the most effective interventions to elicit the most beneficial changes in adipokine levels in individuals with overweight/obesity

Progressive circuit resistance training improves inflammatory biomarkers and insulin resistance in obese men

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