Background and Purpose: Nowadays, total body resistance exercise has been added to instability training and has become popular for improving health and sports performance. Resistance training is a beneficial way to improve body composition and increase muscle strength. This study aims to evaluate the effect of suspension training (total resistance exercises [TRX]) with and without electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) on body composition and muscle strength in obese women. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental research is an applied study in terms of research goal. A total of 36 Class 1 obese women (mean±SD age: 30.9±5.3 years, mean±SD body mass: 95.4±9.4 kg, mean±SD height: 168.2±7.8 cm) were randomly selected from qualified volunteers and grouped randomly into three groups (n=12 for each group): EMS, TRX, and TRX-EMS. The TRX group performed 8 weeks of suspension resistance training (3 sessions per week), and the TRX-EMS group performed the TRX exercises wearing a whole-body suit that provided electrical stimulation. EMS intervention includes 3 applications of 90 min/3 days per week for 8 weeks. Data were analyzed by analysis of covariance at a significance level of 0.05 using SPSS software. Results: Findings of this study demonstrate significant differences in body composition measurements among three groups after 8 weeks of interventions (P≤0.05). All three interventions increased muscle strength after 8 weeks. TRX+EMS was the most effective intervention on body composition measures (-4.3% in body mass index [BMI], -7.2% in body fat mass [BFM], and +3.6% in skeletal muscle mass [SMM]) and muscle strength (21.93% in BP-1RM and 27.4% in LP-1RM). Also, these findings may indicate that EMS was the least effective intervention on body composition and muscle strength compared with the TRX and TRX-EMS. Conclusion: According to these results, it is suggested that obese women use EMS with suspension training to lose weight and improve body composition and strength.

Objective: Dry cupping (DC) is widely used to improve sports performance. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of DC on muscle strength, anaerobic power, cognitive function, and mood states of athletes. Methods: In this counterbalanced quasi-experimental study with randomized crossover design, 12 male athletes participated. After signing a consent form, they randomly experienced two conditions (10 min of DC or no treatment) in two sessions one week apart. Muscle strength using a back and leg dynamometer, power anaerobic using the 30-second Wingate test, mood states using the Profile of Mood States questionnaire, and cognitive function using the Tower of London test were measured after intervention. Data were analyzed using paired sample t-test considering a significance level of 0.05. Results: DC significantly increased mean power (t11=-2.625, p=0.024), with no significant effect on muscle strength (t11=1.106, p=0.293) and peak power (t11=-1.389, p=0.192). Treatment with DC had no significant effect on tension, depression, anger, vigor, confusion, calmness or happiness of subjects (p>0.05). In contrast, a significant decrease in mental fatigue (t11=2.209, p=0.049) and cognitive function (t11=-2.602, p=0.025) were observed after DC. Conclusion: DC can improve mean anaerobic power and cognitive function, and reduce fatigue of the athletes.

Background and Objective: Elevated blood pressure may develop in hypertensive patients after performing resistance training. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of beetroot juice on cardiovascular and functional changes during and after a session of acute resistance training in men with hypertension. Materials and Methods:In the present single-blind quasi-experimental study, 20 men with hypertension were randomly divided into two groups of Beetroot Juice (BJ) and Placebo (PLA). Upper and lower body muscular strength, Perceived Exertion (RPE), Systolic and Diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP), and resting and continuous Heart Rate (HR) were measured after resistance training in the pre-test. In the post-test, BJ and PLA groups consumed beetroot juice and non-caloric cherry flavor Beverage (4.5 mg/Kg Bodyweight), respectively, 150 minutes before repeating the measurements. Data were analyzed using three-way ANOVA, student's t-test, and Mann-Whitney U test at a significance level of 0.05. Results: Beetroot juice significantly reduced SBP, DBP, and HR at rest and after resistance training compared to PLA. Furthermore, BJ significantly increased lower body muscular strength and decreased RPE during resistance training. Conclusion: Beetroot juice is a useful beverage that easily and harmlessly controls blood pressure in hypertensive patients. This drink prevents the risk of high blood pressure in addition to improving performance during resistance training.