Comparison between the effects of core stability exercises and neuromuscular exercises on dynamic balance and lower limb function of athletes with functional ankle instability

Background and Aim: Functional ankle instability [FAI] as giving away after recurrent sprains is the most common disabling complications of ankle sprain among athletes

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of core stability exercises and neuromuscular exercises on dynamic baknce and lower limb function of athletes with functional ankle instability

Material and Methods: Hence, 36 athlete women with FAI selected purposively by functional ankle tool questionnaire were assigned randomly to a control group [n=12], core stability group [n=12] and neuromuscular group [n=12]

Exercise groups performed 6 weeks of supervised core and neuromuscular training programs for 3 days per week. Before and after performing 6 weeks of core and neuromuscular exercises, dynamic balance, subjective and objective function of participants were assessed respectively by y-balance test, foot and ankle ability measure and 8 hopping test. Gathered data was analyzed by descriptive statistics and MANCOVAtestat significant level of p<0.05

Results: Research findings showed significant improvement in reach distance in three different directions of the y-balance test in the experimental groups compared with control group [P <0.05]. In addition, exercise groups had significant improvement in FAAM and FAAM Sport scores and 8 hop test scores compared with control group [P <0.05]

Nonetheless, there was no significant difference between the effects of these two exercise protocols on dynamic balance and lower limb function

Conclusion: Six weeks progressive supervised core stability and neuromuscular training programs significantly improved measured dynamic balance and lower limb function of athletes with FAI, but these two different exercise protocols had the same effects in improvement of these mentioned factors in athletes with functional ankle instability

Teaching methods used by general practitioners' continuing education programs in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences

Considering the fundamental role of teaching methods in promoting the quality of education, the emphasis on the necessity of a revise in teaching methods used by continuing education programs, and insufficient observantional studies about teaching process, this research was designed to study the teaching methods of continuing medical education [CME] programs in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences based on establishment, continuing, effectiveness, and concluding the communication. This study was performed as field research. The data gathering method was observation. The vali- dity and reliability of the observation form was confirmed by content validity and test/re-test. The researcher observed 89 CME programs including seminars, conferences, congresses and composed programs. The data was analyzed by SPSS software. Frequency distribution of all factors was calculated. The results concerning the teaching factors revealed that, in establishment of communication more than half of the teaching methods and in continuing the communication more than two third were weak and very weak. Forty percent of teachings in continuing the communication and more than 50% in concluding the communication were good and very good. Also, in most cases, "lecture" was used as the main teaching method in CME programs, but in some programs, question/answer, case presentation and demonstration methods of teaching were also used. The teaching methods of CME programs need a serious revise. In order to improve the quality of continuing education, it is recommended to train faculty members regarding the process of education, teaching, adult learning theory and new models of teaching

Performance of Iranian children on the draw-a-man test

In this study, the Draw-A-Man Test was administered to 183 Iranian children, 96 boys and 87 girls from age of 36 to 119.5 months. The subjects were selected randomly from middle-class families in Tehran. The results show that younger Iranian children scored higher than the older ones. In addition to the age differential on performance, sex differences on drawing a man were tested by means of the T-test for each age group. The results show that environment affects the children's drawings. Also, some comparisons of the findings of this study with others confirm the cultural effects on children's performance on the DAM test