Effect of "Kashi Practices" on the Improvement of Psycho-Motor Skills in People with Down Syndrome

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of "Kashi practices" on the improvement of psycho-motor skills in people with Down syndrome.

Methods: In this research, 28 men with Down syndrome between 21 and 43 years of age [mean age 25.917 +/- 3.889] were randomly assigned to either a control [n=14] or an experimental group [n=14]. All persons in the experimental group followed 12 weeks of selected exercise training [Kashi practices] three times a week. Prior to the start of the study, and after the three-month training period, each member in both groups was assessed according to the Bruininks Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency [BOTMP].

Results: The results indicated that Kashi practices could cause a significant improvement in psychomotor skills in several variables such as strength, endurance, power, agility, reaction time, balance and running speed in the experimental group [P<0.05]. These changes were not significant in control group [P>0.05] in any compression.

Discussion: These results showed that Kashi practices could cause a significant improvement in psychomotor skills and can be an important step to improve physical fitness, physical activity and quality of life in people with Down syndrome.

effect of a "selected exercise training" on reducing symptoms of dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease in people with Down syndrome

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of a selected exercise training on reducing symptoms of dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease in people with Down syndrome. 27 men with Down syndrome were randomized to intervention [n=13] and control [n=13] groups. All persons in experimental group followed 12 weeks selected exercise training, three times a week. Prior to the start of the study, and after three-month training, each member in both groups was assessed according to the DSQIID questionnaire filled by caregivers of these peoples. Data were analysed by independent T test. The results indicated that the first questionnaire subscales that assess memory disorders and confusion in the experimental group between pre and post test showed a significant decrease [P = 0.028]. Also in third part of questionnaire that asked about the individual skills, social withdrawal, physical symptoms and speech abnormalities, the variable scores in post-test of experimental group were significantly lower than pre-test scores [P=0.047]. These result showed that the combination of selected exercises training could cause a significant reduction in the incidence of initial dementia symptoms and can be an important step to prevent of the dementia in these people

Prevalence of ergogenic substances use and athletes, knowledge of effects and side effects of them in Lorestan province, western part of Iran

Use of ergogenic substances by athletes is an associated problem to sport. The purpose of this research was to examine the prevalence of ergogenic substances use and knowledge level by Lorestan province athletes about such drugs and their side effects. In a descriptive- survey study, 1120 male and female athletes in 21 athletic field [17 athletic field between males and 15 athletic field between females] in five city of Lorestan province [Khoramabad, Boroujerd, Azna, Aleshtar and Koohdasht] who were available to participate in this research by cluster sampling. The measuring instrument was a researcher-centered questionnaire which included of rate of incidence, knowledge and attitude about doping, supplement, ergogenic substances, drugs and their side effects. Numbers of 878 questionnaires were filled and they were analyzed using analysis of variance, regression, chi-square, analysis of factor and correlation coefficient. Number of 285 [32.5%] of athletes in Lorestan province have taken one ergogenic substance at least, 176 [20%] from these athletes had used doping and banned drugs and also 231 [26.3%] from sport supplements. Also, the average score of knowledge about ergogenic substances was 18.20 +/- 14.73 from 44 ergogenic substances. The average score of attitude was 4.06 +/- 1.11 from 6 and the average score of awareness of doping was 5.79 +/- 2.72 from 12. Also, the results showed that mentioned athletes have low awareness about the side effects of ergogenic substances. The awareness about doping, the attitude toward doping, the championship field, the record of athletic, the knowledge of ergogenic substance and the record of other athletic field were the most important factors for predicting the use of ergogenic substances. Our achievements show the use of ergogenic substances was higher than other compared with other countries and the use of supplements were lower than other countries. The results of this research indicate the low awareness about the side effects of ergogenic substances among athletes and emphasize the importance of predictive programs