Background: Polyphenols are a class of organic chemical compounds, with strong antioxidant capacity. This investigation evaluates the influences of one week curcumin supplementation on selected indices of oxidative stress after 14 km running in active healthy young males. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 1 week of curcumin supplementation on anti-oxidant markers. Methods: Subjects were randomized in a double blind, placebo-controlled fashion into two groups: Curcumin (C) (n = 11) and placebo (P) (n = 9). The subjects received supplementation (90 mg) or placebo for 7 days before main trial. Then, subjects ran 14 km. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), reduced glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA-TBARS) were measured using spectrophotometer methods. Results: There was a significant increase in TAC after supplementation (P < 0.001, ES = 1. 42), and immediately after exercise (P = 0. 008, ES = 1. 12) in C group compared with the P group. MDA-TBARS was significantly lower in C group compared with the P group immediately after exercise (P = 0. 022, ES = 1. 00). GSH significantly increased immediately, 24, and 48 hours after exercise compared with pre-exercise only in C group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: It is concluded one week oral supplementation of curcumin has positive effects on selected indices of oxidative stress possibly via promotion of antioxidant capacity.

Purpose: Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is a relatively new method in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders such as plantar fasciitis. This study aimed to compare two methods of treatment with extracorporeal shockwave and stretching in athletes with chronic plantar fasciitis. Methods: The study was a randomized clinical trial. A total of 30 male athletes with chronic plantar fasciitis voluntarily participated in this study. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups; ESWT (n=15) and stretching exercises (n=15). Both treatment methods were applied once a week for five weeks. Pain, the Range of Motion (ROM) of the ankle joint, and the strength of the plantar flexors of the ankle were assessed, using Visual Analog Scale (VAS), goniometer, and dynamometer before and after the interventions. Results: VAS scores significantly decreased in both groups after the treatment (P<0.001). Furthermore, after the treatment, the ROM and the strength of plantar flexors increased dramatically in both groups (P<0.001). There were no significant between-group differences at any time (P>0.05). Conclusion: This study suggests that both methods of stretching and ESWT are suitable methods for improving the symptoms in chronic plantar fasciitis. There was no significant difference in the effect of both types of treatment. According to the results, stretching is easier, non-invasive, and less costly method. So, it seems to be a preferable method for ESWT. However, more studies are required because of the limitations of this research.

Siahkouhian M, Azizan S, Roohi BN. A new approach for the determination of anaerobic threshold: methodological survey on the modified D max method. J. Hum. Sport Exerc. Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 599-607, 2012. A wide variety of diagnostic techniques can be found in the literature for anaerobic threshold (AT) assessment. The aim of this study was to investigate if the heart rate (HR) at the modified D max method (Mod-D max ) using parallel straight line slope (PSLS) mathematical model and the Narita target heart rate equation was comparable with the HR measured at the AT by the continuous respiratory gas measurements in healthy young girls. Eight (age 19.29±1.70 years) healthy young girls performed an exhaustive treadmill exercise test for determination of the HR at Mod-D max using PSLS model and Narita equation. The AT of the participants was also calculated by the continuous respiratory gas measurements according to the Craig method. There was no significant difference between the HR determined at the Mod-D max method and the HR measured at the AT by the continuous respiratory gas measurements (167±9.22 vs. 165.25±6.32 b/min). Bland and Altman plots revealed a good agreement between the determined HR at Mod-D max and values of the HR measured at the AT by the continuous respiratory gas measurements (95% CI =−20 to+22.8 b/min). According to the results, the Mod-D max using PSLS model and the Narita equation during the exhaustive treadmill exercise test is an accurate and reliable noninvasive alternative to the cumbersome, expensive, and time-consuming invasive methods. Therefore, the Mod-D max method can be used for the determination of AT in healthy young girls.

Background: Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a common experience after unusual activities particularly eccentric exercises. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of grape seed extract (GSE) on some factors of DOMS on non-athletic female students. Method: Twenty young healthy female students were randomly allocated into two experimental (GSE=10n) and placebo (PLC=10n) groups. T produce DOMS, a forty-five repetition of eccentric elbow curl in three sets was performed. Venous blood samples were obtained before and after supplementation, immediately, 24h, and 48h after exercise for analysis of creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The pain was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS). Results: There was a significant increase in CK activity after exercise compared with before exercise in both groups (P<0.05)‚ but no significant differences between two groups at any time (P>0.05). Furthermore, The VAS scores were significantly lower in GSE compared with PLC group 24h and 48h after exercise (P<0.05). Conclusion: Although GSE supplementation has not been able to affect the CK and LDH activity, it seems that its anti-inflammatory or analgesic effects have been reduced the pain caused by DOMS.