RESUMO
Regarding to sedentary lifestyle and its early complications, electrodiagnostic studies can have valuable effects on prevention, diagnosis, follow up and treatment of neuromuscular disorders. This study aimed to compare nerve conduction velocity [NCV] of the ulnar and peroneal nerves in athletes and nonathletes. This case-control study was performed in athletes in Mashhad University of medical sciences in 2003. Totally 237 university students, I 14 with appropriate exercise activity from the students of school of sport and exercise sciences as study group and 1 23 without appropriate physical activity from. medical students as control group were selected. General data and data related to NCV of ulnar and peroneal nerves in two groups were collected using a previously designed questionnaire and neurogram test. Data were analysed by SPSS software using Mann- whithny test in order to compare means. The results showed NCV of right and left ulnar and peroneal nerves in female students were more than male ones [P= 0.003, P=0.075, P=0.002 and P<0.001 respectively]. NCV of the right and left ulnar in athletes and nonathletes females had statistical differences [P<0.00 1] but there were no significant differences between right and left peroneal nerves. [P=0.131 and P=0.135 respectively]. In male students there were significant differences in NCV of right ulnar nerve of athletes and nonathletes [P<.001] but in left ulnar nerve differences was not much [P=0.08], and NCV of the right and left peroneal in athlete male students were statistically more than nonathlete ones [P<0.001]. Regarding to effect of exercise on increasing NCV and reducing reflective time, it is necessary that physical education centers improve their educational programes