Background and Aims Weakness in receptors involved in proprioception can limit the range of motion of the ankle and knee, as one of the most important causes of lower limb movement disorder and the risk of falling. People with sensory disorders such as visual impairment, have limitations in performing daily activities, and their physical activity, muscle strength, cardiovascular endurance, balance, and athletic performance decrease. This study aims to compare the effects of three foot massage techniques on movement performance, risk of falling, and quality of life of visually impaired men, and assess the persistence of their effects. Methods This is a quasi-experimental study with a pretest/posttest/follow-up design. Thirty men with blindness were randomly divided into three intervention groups including foot massage with a ball (n=10), foot massage with a brush (n=10), and foot massage with hands(n=10). They received foot massage for 21 days, massage day for 10 minutes (5 minutes for each foot). The Tinetti test was used to assess movement performance. The timed up & go test was used to measure the risk of falling, and the 36-item short form survey (SF-36) was used for evaluating the quality of life in the pretest, posttest, and follow-up (Short-term persistence) phases. One-way analysis of variance was used for between-group comparisons and repeated measures analysis of variance was used for within-group comparisons. Results There was no significant difference among groups in the quality of life and the risk of falling. There was a significant difference among them only in movement performance, where the group received foot massage with hands had higher performance. The results of repeated measures analysis of variance for the factor of time showed that the three methods improved movement performance, quality of life and reduced the risk of falling. All three methods had a significant effect on the study variables (P<0.05). Conclusion Three methods of foot massage have a significant effect on movement performance, risk of falling, and quality of life of men with blindness, by strengthening their proprioception receptors.

Background and Aim:Weakness in the sensory-deep receptors of the sole of the foot is one of the important factors in lower limb movement disorders and balance in the blindness. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effect and durability of foot massage techniques on the balance of the blindness Methods:The present study was a one-way blind with a pretest-posttest design. The statistical sample consisted of 30 blind boys aged 20-30 years who were randomly divided into three groups of 10 people. The protocol of massage methods was performed on the samples for 21 days. Biodex balance system was used to evaluate the balance. The normality of the data was analyzed using Shapirowilk test and the analysis of variance with repeated measures was used to analyze the differences within the group and the ANOVA test was used to examine the differences between the groups at the significance level of 0.05. Results:The results of intra-group test showed that all three methods of foot massage improved static and dynamic balance in the blind (P <0.001). The results of ANOVA test for comparison between groups showed that there is no significant difference between the three methods of foot massage on static balance and posterior anterior index of dynamic surface and internal-external index of dynamic surface (P> 0.05) and only on the general surface index. There is a significant difference in the dynamics of hand massage compared to the other two massages (P <0.001). Conclusion:Due to the significant effect of foot massage methods on the balance of the blind, foot massage can be used as an effective factor in strengthening the sensory receptors of the foot and ultimately improving the balance of the blind.

Objectives: Walking and balance control are determining factors in the independence of the elderly because they are the main components of daily physical activity. This study evaluated the effectiveness of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stability (DNS) training on balance and gait function in the elderly. Methods: This study had a pre-test/post-test design. It was a quasi-experimental study performed on 30 older men aged 60-70 years in Qom Province, Iran, in 2021. The elderly was randomly divided into experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups. The Experimental Group (EG) participated in three 45-min sessions of dynamic neuromuscular stability training every week for 6 weeks, and the Control Group (CG) continued their normal daily routine. Berg balance scale (dynamic balance), modified stork stand (static balance), and temporal and spatial gait parameters were used to collect information before and after applying the training protocol. The obtained data were analyzed using ANCOVA statistical method and the paired t test. Results: There were significant differences between pre-test and post-test in EG regarding the variables of dynamic balance, static balance (P=0.001), and gait function, but in the CG, no significant difference was observed for these variables (P>0.05). Also, there was a significant difference between the mean scores obtained in the balance and gait tests between the two groups (P<0.05), and EG performed better in the post-test. Discussion: DNS training due to the great variety of movement in different parts of the body and the effect on improving strength, flexibility, range of motion, and physical fitness can also improve balance and gait function in the elderly. According to the present study results, one of the best ways to reduce the costs and physical, psychological, and social problems caused by aging is to use DNS training for the elderly.

Background and Aims: The effects of injuries and stress from coronavirus on people in the community may affect various dimensions, including lifestyle, quality of life, mental and physical health. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the performance of static and dynamic balance, quality of life, and the rate of musculoskeletal pain between healthy and COVID-19 disease individuals. Methods: The present study was descriptive and comparative causal. The statistical population of the present study was people with a history of coronavirus and healthy people aged 20-30 years. The subjects were selected from Qom, Tehran, and Mashhad, each of which included 40 people with coronavirus (20 males and 20 females), 40 healthy individuals (20 males and 20 females). They were divided into two groups: patient and healthy. In this study, modified stork and Y balance tests were used to evaluate the performance of static and dynamic balance, respectively. The Nordic questionnaire was used to assess the rate of musculoskeletal pain, and the SF-36 questionnaire was used to evaluate the quality of life. Results: The independent t-test showed a significant difference between static and dynamic balance variables and quality of life between the two groups (P<0.05), and healthy individuals showed higher scores in balance tests and better performance in the quality of life. The results of the Mann–Whitney U test showed that in the values ​​related to musculoskeletal pain in the neck, shoulders, upper back, elbows, wrist, lower back, thighs, knees, ankles in the last seven days between the two groups, there was a significant difference between men and women (P<0.05) so that people with coronavirus recorded more pain. Also, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the rate of musculoskeletal pain in the last twelve months (P<0.05). Conclusion: It is suggested that the present study results be used to increase the general information of the community. People with coronavirus and even healthy people during quarantine and exposure to this disease should pay special attention to physical fitness and the amount of musculoskeletal pain in different parts of the body to keep their physical and mental fitness and quality of life at the optimal level.

Background and Objective: Aggression is one of the most common problems among children who struggle with this behavioral problem during COVID-19 quarantine and negatively affects their quality of life. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of regular exercise on aggression and quality of life of students during coronavirus quarantine. Materials and Methods:The present study was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design that was conducted in the academic year 2020-2021. The present study population consisted of girl students aged 10-12 years in Mahmoud Abad city of Mazandaran, of which 40 people were randomly divided into two groups of experimental (20 people) and control (20 people). Before and after the training sessions (12 sessions, three sessions per week for 45 minutes), the subjects completed the Aggression and Quality of Life Questionnaires. Independent-Samples T-Test and Paired-Samples T-Test statistical methods were used to analyze the data. Results: The results showed that there was a significant difference in research variables between the two groups after four weeks of regular training (P<0.05). Regular exercise in children caused a significant decrease in aggression score and a significant increase in quality of life score after exercise in the experimental group (P<0.05), but no significant difference was observed in the control group (P>0.05). Conclusion:The results showed the positive effect of online regular sports activity during the coronavirus quarantine, on increasing the quality of life and reducing the level of aggression of girl students. It is suggested that appropriate and attractive sports activities in all schools of the country be performed virtually in all educational levels on a regular basis.