Attention to Progression Principles and Variables of Exercise Prescription in Workplace-Related Resistance Training Interventions: A Systematic Review of Controlled Trials.

Background: The workplace is an important setting for adult health promotion including exercise training such as resistance training (RT). Since the reporting of exercise training interventions is generally inconsistent, the objective of this systematic review was to investigate the attention to principles of RT progression and variables of RT exercise prescription in workplace-related RT interventions. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in the databases LIVIVO, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science (2000-2020). Controlled trials with apparently healthy "employees" and a main focus on RT were included. RT principles and variables were extracted and rated by two reviewers (reported, not reported, or unclear). Sum scores for each RT intervention and percentages regarding each principle and variable were calculated. Results: Overall, 21 articles were included (18 primary studies, 3 protocols). Summarized narratively, the interventions showed different positive effects on strength- or performance-related and/or health- or complaint-related outcomes. The reporting of the RT principles and variables was varied [progressive overload: 94% of the studies, specificity: 78%, variation (periodization): 39%, muscle action: 94%, loading: 94%, volume; 67%, exercise selection: 89%, exercise order: 47%, rest periods between sets: 33%, rest periods between exercises: 27%, repetition velocity: 44%, and frequency: 100%]. Conclusion: Several key RT principles and variables were reported inconsistently, reducing reproducibility and pointing to the need for standardized RT intervention reporting in workplace-related interventions. Exercise science and workplace promotion should be further linked, since accurate reporting is a prerequisite for transferring robust findings into practice.

Checklist of the dragonflies (Odonata) of Iran with new records and notes on distribution and taxonomy.

Iran has a complex dragonfly fauna influenced by contacts and overlaps of different geographical zones. Its fauna is dominated by Eurosiberian taxa. However, the SE Province Sistãn-va-Baluchestãn is rich in oriental species, many of which having their western distribution limit in Iran. In NE-Iran, Irano-Turanian elements live and in the S- and SW-Iran African species are found. The Iranian Odonata fauna seems well studied, however, a closer look reveals many uncertainties and confusion, some records coming clearly from misidentification whereas other, which were missing proofs of correct identification remains to be confirmed. Even today, every new collecting trip reveals species new for Iran whereas species new for science are still detected, although rarely. In this checklist we include seven taxa new for Iran: Stylurus ubadschii (although a male of uncertain origin is recorded in Schmidt (1954), Ischnura senegalensis (although two uncertain records were published by Martin (1912) and Schmidt (1954), Coenagrion ponticum, C. lunulatum, C. pulchellum, Lestes macrostigma, and Calopteryx splendens tschaldirica. We critically checked all available data, including all published records. Fourteen taxa have been rejected, or placed in the category for need of confirmation. Till the end of 2017, 100 autochthonous taxa of dragonflies and two migratory species could be confirmed to be or have been present in Iran. We provide distribution maps, created after evaluation of published data and containing our own data from 12 trips to Iran, travelling over 35000 km in the country. Over 200 new localities are integrated. Taxonomic confusion is reduced by rejecting the following taxa for Iran: Calopteryx splendens mingrelica, C. hyalina, Erythromma najas, Aeshna cyanea, Gomphus davidi, and Sympetrum sinaiticum. We regard the taxa Gomphus amseli and G. schneiderii transcaspicus as synonyms of G. schneiderii, and Onychogomphus forcipatus lucidostriatus as a synonym of O. f. albotibialis.

Gomphus kinzelbachi Schneider, 1984, in Iran: identification, habitat and behaviour (Odonata: Gomphidae).

Gomphus kinzelbachi was described by Wolfgang Schneider (1984) on the basis of a single teneral male captured by B. L. Sage on the Alwand River in eastern Iraq. In late April to early May 2016 two of the authors (TS and DI) discovered three individual-rich populations of this species on the large lowland river Karkeh in southwestern Iran (Khuzestãn). This is the first report of a breeding population of this species. Based on collected material we confirmed the structural differences of the male secondary genitalia between G. kinzelbachi and G. davidi on a larger number of animals. The female of the species is described. Gomphus kinzelbachi resembles most closely G. davidi, compared to all other West-Palearctic Gomphus species. Therefore, a direct comparison of the two species is given, and additionally some differential diagnostic hints for two other Gomphus species reported from Iran is provided. Our observations suggest that G. kinzelbachi reproduces on large clean lowland rivers in SE Iraq and SW Iran. In SW Iran only a free flowing stretch of the Karkeh, one of three parallel rivers (Karkeh, Karoon, Dez), seems to be suitable for this species. The other two rivers are affected by dams, dam construction, and increasing salinization. Additional dam constructions are also planned on the Karkeh River, thus, G. kinzelbachi may be on the brink of extinction.

Description of last instar larva of Gomphus kinzelbachi Schneider, 1984 and new aspects on distribution and habitats in Iran (Odonata: Gomphinae).

Gomphus kinzelbachi Schneider, 1984, was described on the basis of a single teneral male captured by B. L. Sage on the Alwand River in eastern Iraq. A detailed redescription of the male and description of the female were published recently. However, the larva of the species has remained unknown so far. In late April 2017 two of the authors (ES TS) discovered freshly emerged G. kinzelbachi, some of them still on their exuviae, on the upper part of the Zoreh River in southwest Iran (Khuzestãn). Larvae ready to emerge were observed leaving the water and climbing reed stalks. The development from last instar larvae to freshly emerged G. kinzelbachi was observed, some until maiden flight. Five exuviae and two freshly emerged males were collected for further identification and description. Male and female exuviae of G. kinzelbachi are described and compared with exuviae of Gomphus schneiderii Selys, 1850, from Mazandarãn province in Iran. Furthermore, a key is provided to determine the exuviae of four Iranian species belonging to the subfamily Gomphinae: Gomphus kinzelbachi, G. schneiderii, Stylurus ubadschii (Schmidt, 1953), and Anormogomphus kiritshenkoi Bartenev, 1913. In addition, the eastern Mediterranean Gomphus davidi Selys, 1887, is included in the comparison, because it seems to be the sister species of G. kinzelbachi. During the trips to Iran in 2017 eight new populations of G. kinzelbachi on different stretches of the river systems of Marun, Zoreh, Dalaki, Alwand, and Abi Zinkan were detected, enlarging the known range and habitat requirements significantly. The flight period of G. kinzelbachi in Iran is also discussed.

Rediscovery and redescription of Coenagrion persicum (Lohmann 1993) with description of the female, and some notes on habitat selection (Odonata: Coenagrionidae).

Coenagrion persicum was described by Heinrich Lohmann in 1993 on the basis of a single male and two larvae captured in 1937 by E.W. Kaiser in Lorestãn Province (W-Iran). In June 2015 two of the authors (TS and DI) rediscovered individual-rich populations of this species in two Iranian provinces (Lorestãn and Esfahãn). We could confirm the structural differences of the male appendages between C. persicum and C. pulchellum based on a larger number of specimens than in the original description. The structural differences from C. pulchellum in females and their phenotypic variation pattern is described. Coenagrion persicum and C. pulchellum are also genetically distinct regarding two nDNA gene fragments: arginine methyltransferase (PRMT) and phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI). In contrast with C. pulchellum, C. persicum prefers small springs and running waters with rich herbal vegetation. Our faunistic data indicate that the species is present in the mountains between 1800 m and 2300 m a.s.l.. The species seems to be restricted to W-Iran, where it co-occurs with other rheophilic species.