Background: The serratus anterior (SA) muscle is an important scapular stabilizer and has a profound role in retaining the scapulohumeral rhythm. Therefore, modified push-up plus (MPUP) has been advised to strengthen this muscle as a closed chain workout. However, few previous studies have reported the possibility of a reparative motion from pectoralis major (PM) that could replace and amend SA's function during push-up plus. Objectives: The current study examined MPUP's effect using biofeedback EMG on some of the selected scapular stabilizers. Methods: Sixteen healthy young subjects voluntarily participated in this study. Each subject performed push-ups, from the quadruped position, under two conditions (i.e., with or without visual and auditory biofeedback). Surface EMG measured pectoralis major, serratus anterior, and upper trapezius activity. A paired t-test was used to determine any statistically significant difference between the two conditions. Additionally, the effect size was calculated to quantify the magnitude of EMG biofeedback in each muscle. Results: MPUP training using biofeedback significantly increased SA muscle activity and decreased PM muscle activity, but there was no significant change in UT activity. Conclusions: Excessive PM activity was repressed because of biofeedback, and the workout was done with the enhancement of SA muscular activity. Thus, including biofeedback while doing MPUPs helps limit PM's supplementary action and enhance SA muscle activity.

Background: Low back pain is one of the most common health problems worldwide, but there is no agreement on the most appropriate treatment intervention. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Swiss ball training and ear acupuncture on pain and central muscle endurance in women with chronic non-specific low back pain. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 45 patients with non-specific chronic low back pain participated voluntarily. They were divided into three equal groups (Swiss ball, ear acupuncture, and control) based on random sampling, g each group consisted of 15 people. The Swiss ball and ear acupuncture groups underwent treatment for six weeks. The control group was asked to continue their daily activities before and after six weeks of the intervention. Pain and central muscle endurance were measured using visual analog scale (VAS) and McGill tests, respectively. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and paired t-tests were used to analyze the data of inter-group and intra-group, respectively. Results: The results of the present study showed that pain intensity and disability were significantly reduced in both groups of ear acupuncture, Swiss ball, and central muscle endurance increased (P = 0.001); however, no significant difference was observed between the two post-tests (P > 0.05). Conclusions: According to the results of the present study, it seems that both interventions, including ear acupuncture and Swiss ball, can reduce the severity of pain and also increase central muscle endurance in women with non-specific chronic low back pain.

: The current study aimed to design strategies to develop women’s health and physical activities in Iran. This study was drafted in the descriptive-correlational framework following an applied objective. The population of the study in the qualitative section consisted of 10 professors of sports management and sociology and in the quantitative section consisted of 160 experts (e.g., female sports managers and experts, women’s sports activists, and professors of sports management) selected through a purposive and comprehensive sampling method. Data collection was performed through a 20-items questionnaire drafted to examine the four fundamental factors of the study (e.g., management, social, economic, and cultural factors). The content validity and face validity of the questionnaire were confirmed by 10 university faculty members. The structural equation modeling in PLS software (version 3) was used to analyze the statistical data. The findings of the study indicated that among the study variables, the variable of management in the development of health and physical activities, with a correlation level of 75% and at a value of 5.696, was considered the most effective variable. Furthermore, among the essential elements of the study, in the cultural factor, the effect of the social values and beliefs in the participation of women in sports activities was reportedly at a correlation rate of 87%. In the management factor, the assignment of management roles to women in sports was at a correlation rate of 85%. In the economic factor, the element of budget allocation to women’s sports was at a correlation rate of 73%. In the social factor, the impact of the Ministry of Health and Education and the Ministry of Sports and Youth in creating sports events for the development of women’s health in the various provinces of Iran was at a correlation rate of 92%. All of the aforementioned items were among the most contributing factors in the essential elements of the study. In conclusion, it can be stated that the Ministry of Sports and Youth and the Federations of Public Sports succeeded to initiate programs in the development of Iranian women’s health and sports by employing a comprehensive plan that included allocating budget, highlighting the role of women in the sports management positions, and cooperating with different agencies and organizations.