Elahe Kahdouei; farzam farzan; mahbobe abedi samakosh
Volume 1, Issue 1 , January 2026, Pages 1-23
Abstract
Background and Aim:Some sports tourism activities are closely linked to specific sports and regions characterized by unique geographical features and stable local conditions. The distribution of sports tourism resources is uneven and varies across regions, each with its own distinctive local attributes. ...
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Background and Aim:Some sports tourism activities are closely linked to specific sports and regions characterized by unique geographical features and stable local conditions. The distribution of sports tourism resources is uneven and varies across regions, each with its own distinctive local attributes. For example, winter sports are prevalent in northern areas, water sports dominate coastal regions, mountain climbing takes place in mountainous zones, and exploratory tours occur in desert areas. Desert tourism has developed globally by leveraging symbolic values such as natural beauty, tranquility, and freshness to meet the growing demands of travelers. According to Atkinson, desert tourism involves individuals visiting rare and unique locations that offer special attractions or activities. Likewise, Ling and colleagues define desert tourism as traveling to places that are geographically and socio-culturally marginal or beyond common human experiences. Natural features such as scenic landscapes, pleasant climates, lakes, mountains, deserts, forests, coasts, and rural areas serve as spiritual resources for valuable tourism destinations and products. Deserts, a type of arid land, include sand dunes, rocky plateaus, salt flats, dry valleys, mountain ranges, volcanoes, rivers, springs, oases, pastures, shrubs, and sometimes even towns. One of Iran’s desert strengths is its unique tourist attractions, with sports tourism being a notable type. This form of tourism not only stimulates domestic tourism but also has the potential to attract many international tourists. The aim of the present study was to conduct a systematic review of research on sports tourism in desert areas. The research method was qualitative, applied in purpose, and systematic in approach.Research Method:This study aimed to systematically review published research on sports tourism in desert regions. The population consisted of valid articles related to this topic sourced from databases including the Scientific Information Database of Jahad Daneshgahi, Noormagz specialized journals, and the Persian-language search engine Elmnet. Keywords used in the search included desert sports, sports tourism in deserts, desert tourism, sports tourism in arid lands, and desert sports, covering articles published from the beginning of 2014 (1393) to the end of 2023 (1402). Inclusion criteria were studies with scientific and research purposes that were review or comparative in nature, written in Persian with full-text access and a clear methodology, and published in reputable journals indexed in databases such as ISC. The PRISMA framework was applied for selecting key terms. Exclusion criteria consisted of papers with evident contradictions between research objectives and findings, clear methodological errors in sampling or statistical analysis, or unsuitable study populations. For thorough evaluation, data were extracted based on four dimensions—cognitive, structural, functional, and citation-related—guided by research questions and the systematic review model. The study’s validity was confirmed through expert opinions, and reliability was ensured with a corrected reliability coefficient of 95%.Findings:The cognitive status of published articles on sports tourism in deserts from 2014 to 2023 showed that 36 papers appeared in national scholarly journals. The fewest articles were published in 2015 (one article) and the most in 2023 (six articles), indicating an upward trend in publication frequency. Twenty-two journals featured relevant articles, with the "Geographical Studies of Arid Regions" journal publishing the highest number. Following it, journals like "Desert Geographical Explorations" and "Regional Planning" ranked next. Structurally, 50% of the articles lacked a conclusion in their abstracts, 30% missed an English abstract, and 66% did not include a theoretical framework. Regarding author demographics, 72.8% were male and 27.2% female. Most researchers (59.2%) specialized in geography, while only 7.7% had a background in sports management. The University of Tehran contributed the most authors (14.5%). Citation analysis revealed 1281 sources cited across articles, with 47.6% in Persian and 52.4% in English. The number of Persian sources ranged from zero to 44 and English sources from one to 70 per article. On average, each article cited 35 sources, a satisfactory figure, with 87% of these from scholarly research articles. Functionally, the most influential factors in desert sports tourism were identified as infrastructural and managerial elements, followed by economic, security, and cultural factors.Discussion and Conclusion:Sports tourism in Iran’s deserts, given its exceptional natural attractions and potential capacities, can play a vital role in economic, cultural, and employment development in arid regions. The systematic review demonstrated that infrastructural and managerial factors are among the most critical components influencing the growth of this tourism type. Moreover, structural and content-related deficiencies in reviewed articles highlight the need for improved theoretical foundations, precise abstract writing, inclusion of English abstracts, and greater diversity in research methodologies, especially qualitative approaches. Additionally, coordination between government agencies and the private sector along with the provision of suitable infrastructure—such as facilities for hosting sports events and enhancing access to desert areas—can accelerate the sector’s development. Advancing sports tourism in deserts requires leveraging the scientific capacity of the research community while prioritizing environmental conservation and utilizing local resources. This emerging field should be supported by policymakers, academics, and investors to foster scientific and practical progress, thereby creating suitable opportunities for introducing the culture and attractions of desert regions to both domestic and international tourists.
Vaheed Jahedi; Hamidreza Taheri Torbati; Ehsan Vafaei Noghabi; Mersad Khodashenas; Ensie Nasiri
Volume 1, Issue 1 , January 2026, Pages 24-52
Abstract
Background and Aim:Consolidation is a set of neural processes by which a memory both becomes more stable and improves over time. At least two events occur as a result of consolidation: consolidation and enhancement. During consolidation, a new and fragile memory can become strong and stable; this event ...
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Background and Aim:Consolidation is a set of neural processes by which a memory both becomes more stable and improves over time. At least two events occur as a result of consolidation: consolidation and enhancement. During consolidation, a new and fragile memory can become strong and stable; this event is called consolidation. During consolidation, a memory may not only be consolidated but also enhanced. Enhancement can also occur offline between training sessions. Such offline learning can often be supported by the passage of time or by a night of sleep. In the neuroscience and behavioral sciences literature, consolidation has two subprocesses; the first process, which occurs in the first minutes and hours, involves changes and exchanges of materials within and between two neurons. These initial changes are referred to as “synaptic consolidation” or rapid and early consolidation. Another type of consolidation takes many hours, days, weeks, or perhaps months. It is believed that this type of consolidation involves the reorganization of brain and systemic circuits over time, such this engram can be transferred to new locations in the brain and lose its dependence on the circuits and initial consolidation points. This type of process is called “system consolidation” or delayed consolidation. This review article is based on two research questions. In the first research question, we sought to understand where motor memory consolidation occurs and which brain regions it involves. We then sought to understand how long the process of motor memory consolidation takes. Therefore, in this review article, we seek to examine the neural processes of consolidation in general, and the spatial neural substrates and temporal trends of each of the subprocesses.Research Method:This research is a narrative review study. Based on the keyword consolidation, the search for the following terms was started: consolidation, memory consolidation, motor memory, motor memory consolidation. Regarding the types of motor memory consolidation and stages of motor memory consolidation, the terms cognitive consolidation (news), procedural consolidation, motor memory consolidation, offline promotion, synaptic consolidation, and systemic consolidation were searched. In this review study, four databases of English articles were consulted: Sciencedirect, PubMed, Sage, and Google Scholar, and the time period was considered from 1996 to 2024. Persian research was also searched in Irandoc and Jihad Daneshgahi (SID) databases, and the time period was considered from 1375 to 1403. A total of 147 articles related to the above keywords were found. First, the authors eliminated duplicate studies between databases (23 cases). Second, the titles of all 124 remaining articles were read and those that were clearly irrelevant (some of these studies were on computers, artificial intelligence, and robots) were excluded (26 cases). Then, by reading the abstracts of the remaining articles, the authors determined that 53 articles were suitable for full-text review. Finally, by reading the full-text articles, with particular focus on the methodology and results obtained, and based on agreement between the authors of this text, 37 core articles were selected for this review study. Findings:There are three physiological explanations for synaptic consolidation in the early minutes (short-term memory). First, many physiologists believe that this consolidation is due to the continuous activity of neural signals that are created around a temporary memory trace and form a circuit of reflex neurons. The second explanation is that synaptic consolidation can be the result of presynaptic facilitation or inhibition. This action occurs in the presynaptic neuron, not the postsynaptic neuron. Neurotransmitters released at such terminals repeatedly and repeatedly cause facilitation or inhibition for several seconds or several minutes. The final explanation is synaptic potentiation, which can strengthen synaptic conduction. After training or acquisition, as more time passes without training, the new memory becomes resistant to all kinds of interference. According to the results of the reported research, the process of synaptic consolidation seems to take its longest time during the first four to six hours after training. It is believed that long-term memory (system consolidation process) results from actual structural changes, rather than mere chemical changes in synapses, and these changes cause the enhancement or suppression of signal conduction. The most important structural changes produced in long-term memory are: 1. An increase in the number of vesicle release sites for transmitter secretion; 2. An increase in the number of released vesicles; 3. An increase in the number of presynaptic terminals; 4. A change in the structure of dendritic spines. Several areas of the brain are responsible for the long-term consolidation of non-novel skills, including the primary motor cortex (M1), parts of the neocortex, the cerebellum and deep nuclei, and the striatum. Offline consolidation of newly learned motor skills is a multi-stage and dynamic process. Many studies on systemic consolidation have reported that improvements are often associated with sleep deprivation, with improvements occurring more significantly if the period of non-practice is accompanied by sleep (especially at intervals of 12 to 24 hours). In general, depending on the type of skill and task, systemic consolidation of a skill requires 24 to 72 hours after acquisition to occur, such as consolidation (12 hours), promotion (24 hours, accompanied by sleep), and spatial transfer (48 to 72 hours).Discussion and Conclusion:According to the results of the reported studies and their comparison with each other, it was shown that the temporal and spatial contexts of motor memory consolidation can vary depending on the type of task or training provided. Therefore, the results of this study can be a refutation of the idea that motor memory consolidation, like cognitive memory consolidation, has a single cortical area and a specific duration. According to Newell's constraint-based perspective, the development, control, and learning of a movement should be considered with respect to the three constraints of the individual, the environment, and the task. Therefore, the variability of the spatial and temporal infrastructures of movement consolidation with respect to the type of task can indicate the different post-training needs of different motor skills. Finally, it is suggested that more detailed studies and research be conducted in the future on the spatial and temporal contexts of motor memory consolidation with respect to the constraints of the individual and the environment.
Seyedeh Shaghayegh Mostafavi; Majid Hamoongard; Mohammad Mashhadi
Volume 1, Issue 1 , January 2026, Pages 53-87
Abstract
Aim and Background:Low back pain is considered a major cause of functional disability, reduced quality of life, fear of pain and movement, reduced motor control, and absenteeism from work in many countries (1,2). Disorders associated with low back pain are not unidimensional and involve multiple biological, ...
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Aim and Background:Low back pain is considered a major cause of functional disability, reduced quality of life, fear of pain and movement, reduced motor control, and absenteeism from work in many countries (1,2). Disorders associated with low back pain are not unidimensional and involve multiple biological, social, and psychological aspects of the individual. The cause of low back pain can include changes in lifestyle, work environment, physical inactivity, muscle weakness, and decreased flexibility due to muscle imbalances in the lumbopelvic complex (3). Current management of chronic low back pain involves a wide range of different treatments, including education, manual therapy, medication, mobilization, manipulation, electrotherapy, and exercise therapy (6-4). Despite the existence of various therapeutic interventions, including physical and mental therapies, the effect size of conservative treatment approaches for chronic nonspecific low back pain has been small to moderate. This may be due to the lack of consideration of multidimensional psychosocial and biological factors, as well as the absence of personalized exercise programs for patients (7,8). The pain neuroscience education approach is a new cognitive behavioral therapy intervention that attempts to reduce pain and disability by explaining the physiology of pain to the patient to change maladaptive cognitive patterns during functional activities (9). Despite many studies aiming to add pain neuroscience education to various therapeutic interventions and exercises, the question remains as to which exercise program, combined with this method, produces better results in terms of pain improvement, disability, psychological factors, and functional outcomes. Therefore, a review of the literature in this field seems necessary and can improve low back pain treatment protocols. Therefore, the present study aimed to review the available resources to investigate the effect of combining pain neuroscience education with exercise on pain, functional disability, and psychological factors in patients with chronic low back pain.Methods:This study is a narrative review. Articles indexed in the databases Magiran, Irandoc, PubMed, Google Scholar, PEDro, and Scopus were retrieved between 2010 and 2024. The English keywords used included ("non-specific chronic low back pain" OR "chronic low back pain" OR "back pain") AND ("pain neuroscience education" OR "pain education" OR "pain biology education" OR "pain neurophysiology education" OR "pain physiology education" AND ("training" OR "exercise therapy" OR "therapeutic exercise" OR "Physiotherapy" OR "exercise")). The inclusion criteria included valid clinical trial articles indexed in the aforementioned databases, Persian or English-language studies, patients complaining of chronic non-specific low back pain, an age range of 18 to 70 years, and a score equal to or greater than 5 according to the PEDro scale. If participants had low back pain with known causes, combining the pain neuroscience education approach with passive physiotherapy interventions, including manual therapy, mobilization, manipulation, drug therapy, massage therapy, and other interventions separate from exercise therapy, and replication studies were considered as exclusion criteria.Finding and results:Eleven articles were found (Figure 1). One study used only pain neuroscience education as a control group (10). Exercise programs included hydrotherapy (11), exercise-based physiotherapy (5,12,13), aerobic and core stability exercises (10), motor control and postural retraining (14), motor control, and core stability (8), group motor control exercises (4), cognitively targeted motor control exercises (15), and corrective exercises (16) and Pilates (17). Seven studies showed a significant reduction in pain in the intervention group compared to the control group (16-4,8,11,13). In three studies, although pain improved, the changes between the two groups were not significant (5,12,17). Finally, in one study, the changes in pain were more significant in the control group compared to the intervention group (10). In three studies, a significant reduction in disability was observed in the intervention group compared to the control group (4,14,16) In eight studies, despite improvement in disability in the intervention group compared to the control group, the between-group changes were not significant (13,15,17-5,8,10). In five studies, fear of movement improved significantly in the intervention group compared to the control group (16-5,12,4). In three studies, despite greater improvement in the intervention group, the between-group changes in fear of movement were not significant (10,11,17). In one study, a significant improvement in pain catastrophizing was observed in the intervention group compared to the control group (16). In contrast, three studies found no significant difference in the pain catastrophizing variable between the two groups (12,13,17). In fear avoidance beliefs, there was a significant improvement in one study (14), and in one study, there was no significant difference between the two groups (4,13). In central pain sensitization, one study showed significant improvement in the intervention group compared to the control group (15), and in one study, the changes between groups were not significant (12). In the self-efficacy variable, in one study, there was significant improvement (14), in another study, there was no significant difference between the two groups (4), and in another study, the control group had a more significant improvement compared to the intervention group (10). Finally, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the depression variable; however, the changes in the intervention group were greater (12).Discussion and Conclusion:The results showed that combining the pain neuroscience education approach with exercise programs in the intervention group significantly improved pain (16-4,8,11,13), disability (4,16), fear of movement (5,12,15,16), pain catastrophizing (16), and central pain sensitivity (15). In other studies, despite greater improvement in the intervention group compared to the control group, changes in pain (5,12,17), disability (13,15,17-5,8,10), fear of movement (10,11,17), pain catastrophizing (12,13,17), fear-avoidance beliefs (4,13), depression, central pain sensitivity (12), and self-efficacy (4) were not significant. Rehabilitation and corrective exercise specialists can use this protocol in the treatment of patients with chronic non-specific low back pain. Limitations of the present study include differences in the exercise protocol, time, and dose of pain neuroscience education, and a lack of follow-up. It is suggested that future research should examine the combination of pain neuroscience education with exercise interventions in other common injuries (such as knee pain).
Ali Asghar Norasteh; Meghdad Teymouri; Morteza Tafah
Volume 1, Issue 1 , January 2026, Pages 88-123
Abstract
AbstractThe sagittal plane of the pelvis is a fundamental mechanism for maintaining the body's balance and the spine's alignment, which may undergo changes during the aging process and due to spinal deformities. Pelvic indices, which refer to the definition of the sagittal plane of the pelvis, are evaluated ...
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AbstractThe sagittal plane of the pelvis is a fundamental mechanism for maintaining the body's balance and the spine's alignment, which may undergo changes during the aging process and due to spinal deformities. Pelvic indices, which refer to the definition of the sagittal plane of the pelvis, are evaluated in two classifications: pelvic postural indices and pelvic anatomical indices. Pelvic tilt is one of the two variables (the other variable is sacral slope) that has been more extensively evaluated and analyzed compared to other pelvic postural indices, and it has always posed a challenge for researchers and physiotherapists in terms of how to measure it. Given the presence of contradictory information and the importance of the topic, the aim of this review article is to examine the factors influencing pelvic tilt, such as muscle performance and the positioning of various regions and limbs in the body, and intends to discuss the impact of different exercise regimens on the angle of pelvic tilt.MethodsAccess to articles was conducted using databases and search engines such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, and Elsevier with keywords including Pelvic Tilt, Pelvic Review, Pelvic, Pelvic Assessment, Pelvic Evaluation, and their Persian keywords; pelvic tilt and pelvic, on the websites of the country's journal databases (MAGIRAN), the Iranian Academic Research Center (SID), and the Islamic World Science Citation Center (ISC). The time frame for the articles used ranged from 1980 to 2023. The method for selecting articles is illustrated in Figure 2. In this study, 22 English articles and 2 Persian articles were reviewed. Additionally, the studies were qualitatively assessed based on the PEDro scale, which is an 11-point scale. Given that the aim of this review article was to explore the factors influencing pelvic tilt as comprehensively as possible, no specific inclusion or exclusion criteria regarding the age of the subjects were considered, resulting in a wide statistical population that included ordinary and healthy individuals.FindingsAfter reviewing and studying various articles, the research findings were categorized into two parts: the relationship between pelvic tilt and the performance of the muscles influencing, and the correlation between different exercise regimens and pelvic position (summarized in Table 1). The results of this study indicated that there is conflicting information regarding the relationship between pelvic tilt and muscle performance, as well as the effects of exercise. It has been stated that abdominal muscles, by affecting the lumbar lordosis area, can influence pelvic tilt and the degree of lumbar curvature. Although conflicting information has been reported in research, it appears that such a relationship exists, and strengthening the abdominal muscles reduces anterior pelvic tilt. Discussion and ConclusionSince the aim of this review research was to examine factors such as muscular performance and the effects of various exercises on pelvic tilt, it appears that due to the contradictory results in these topics, reaching a definitive conclusion in this regard remains quite challenging and should be the focus of future research and studies with high-quality qualitative value. The results of this study indicated that the positions and methods of measuring pelvic tilt (in standing, lying, or moving positions) can have a very significant impact on the outcomes of studies and the significance or lack of effectiveness of different training programs (stretching, strengthening, or other exercises) on the angle of pelvic tilt at the hip, and researchers should avoid measuring and observing the angle of pelvic tilt in a standing position. Although there seem to be contradictory results regarding the effects of exercises such as yoga, swimming, flexibility, balance, and strength on pelvic tilt, the findings clarified that strengthening the abdominal muscles leads to a reduction in pelvic tilt, and for individuals with natural hamstring muscle strength, there is no necessity for a correlation between changes in this muscle group and pelvic tilt.
esmaeil naseri
Volume 1, Issue 1 , January 2026, Pages 124-154
Abstract
Background and Aim: Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are a family of drugs that include the naturally occurring male hormone testosterone, which exhibit varying degrees of anabolic (muscle-building) and androgenic (masculinizing) effects. When taken in supraphysiological doses, AAS allow individuals ...
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Background and Aim: Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are a family of drugs that include the naturally occurring male hormone testosterone, which exhibit varying degrees of anabolic (muscle-building) and androgenic (masculinizing) effects. When taken in supraphysiological doses, AAS allow individuals to gain large amounts of muscle mass and lose body fat, often beyond the limits that can be achieved naturally. Because of these properties, AAS use has become a major substance use disorder worldwide. AAS use has become a relatively common substance use disorder in many countries, particularly Scandinavia, the United Kingdom, and Brazil. Other countries in continental Europe are also now showing increasing rates of AAS use, while AAS use is very rare in East Asian countries, such as China, Korea, and Japan. The uneven distribution of AAS use worldwide appears to be related to cultural factors. Since AAS use is arguably the newest substance use disorder in the world, many aspects of AAS are still poorly understood by both clinicians and researchers. Recent research findings indicate a high rate of steroid use among Iranian athletes, as well as a low level of awareness among users about these drugs. Low awareness, coupled with misconceptions, accessibility, and ease of obtaining these drugs, can lead to increased use of these drugs in athletes and various populations, which highlights the need for greater attention from authorities and the design of prevention programs. The aim of this study is to review the most fundamental issues related to the diagnosis and treatment of AAS abuse.Research Method: This study used a narrative review method. Literature review articles or narrative review articles provide abstracts and narrative evaluations of findings or theories in a literature database. Literature databases may include qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods studies. To collect data, relevant articles between 1990 and 2025 were searched in Google Scholar, PubMed, NOORMAGS, SID, and irandoc databases using the keywords anabolic-androgenic steroids, toxicity, dependence, withdrawal syndrome, and treatment. Articles that were not written in English or Persian or were book chapters, conference papers, extended abstracts, or preprints were excluded. A list of articles was obtained and the abstracts were read to assess relevance. Using this method, 105 articles were identified and accessed. Then, each article was read and analyzed, and finally, 26 articles were selected for data extraction.Findings: It is difficult to accurately estimate the number of people who use AAS in different countries. Surveys have led to several widespread misconceptions about the prevalence of AAS use, including that AAS use is not uncommon in adolescent girls, that AAS use is a common phenomenon in adolescents, and that AAS use occurs mainly among athletes. In fact, the majority of AAS users are men over 18 years of age who do not participate in any competitive sports. The number of AAS users in different countries has been estimated to be 0.5–2% among men and approximately 30% of Iranian professional athletes and bodybuilders. The most concerning consequence of long-term exposure to AAS is its effect on the cardiovascular system, especially premature death from myocardial infarction in young men. Exogenous AAS suppress the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis in men, leading to decreased gonadotropin production from the hypothalamus, decreased luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone from the pituitary, and consequently reduced testicular production of testosterone and sperm, and discontinuation of AAS, especially after a long period of use, is likely to result in AAS-induced hypogonadism, which is defined as decreased functional activity of the gonads. AAS use and withdrawal may precipitate major mood disorders, including hypomania and depression, in some susceptible individuals. These mood effects appear to be highly individual-specific, and the mechanisms underlying these specific responses are not well understood. AAS have also been associated with a variety of other less serious or less common adverse effects on other organs, including severe body acne, gynecomastia, hepatotoxicity, cases of renal failure, apoptosis, delayed sleep onset, impaired daytime functioning, and use of hypnotic drugs in AAS-using athletes. AAS can cause a dependence syndrome characterized by chronic AAS use that may be continued despite adverse effects. AAS users rarely seek treatment, and the available research literature on treatment is therefore sparse.Discussion and Conclusion: Since widespread AAS use is very new, psychiatric research findings on the epidemiology, characteristics, and treatment of this disorder are limited compared to the volume of research on other forms of substance use, and many findings in this area remain tentative, and misconceptions about AAS use are still prevalent among both the general public and mental health professionals. This situation is likely to change over the next decade or two, as more older AAS users experience side effects that require clinical attention and treatment. AAS use in Iranian athletes appears to be a challenge facing the health system. The lack of sufficient knowledge among Iranian coaches and athletes about the side effects and consequences of steroid use has dramatically facilitated the use of these substances, and therefore the development of comprehensive educational programs to raise the awareness of athletes and coaches seems essential. Studies show an increase in awareness, perceived severity, and behavioral intention to abstain from using anabolic steroids after completing a training program among Iranian athletes, and demonstrate the usefulness of organizing educational classes for them. The epidemiology of AAS users in different Iranian communities, especially competitive athletes, and the subsequent investigation of the consequences of chronic use of these substances is an important step in shaping indigenous knowledge in this area.
Fatemeh naderian; Sedighe Heydarinejad
Volume 1, Issue 1 , January 2026, Pages 155-188
Abstract
Aim and Background:According to Report of the World Health Organization, 1.3 billion people worldwide have disabilities, which is equivalent to 16% of the world's population, and one in every 6 people has a disability, and this number is increasing dramatically. Sports, as a basic need, can help people ...
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Aim and Background:According to Report of the World Health Organization, 1.3 billion people worldwide have disabilities, which is equivalent to 16% of the world's population, and one in every 6 people has a disability, and this number is increasing dramatically. Sports, as a basic need, can help people resist physical, mental, emotional, and social pressures and suffer less from cardiovascular problems than others. The importance of sport and physical activity is greater for people with disabilities, because sport is not only a means of recreation for those who spend their free time, but also a factor in the development of physical and mental disabilities in disabled people and plays a significant role in reducing secondary complications caused by disability. The issue of physical inactivity among disabled people requires great attention due to their physical and mental problems, as well as problems in the environment and society. In other words, if doing sports and physical activity is recommended for healthy people, it is obligatory for disabled people. This is because people without disabilities meet their movement needs to some extent through the daily activities they do, but people with disabilities do not. Numerous studies have been conducted on the management of sports for people with disabilities, including those with physical disabilities, blindness, deafness, and mental retardation. The present study aimed to systematically review published articles in the field of sports management for people with disabilities between 2014 and 2024. By providing an overview of these articles, a better understanding of these studies can be created, followed by an explanation of the overall and integrated results and determination of research needs in the field of sports for people with disabilities in Iran.Methods:The present study was a secondary study and its implementation method was a systematic review. In this study, quantitative content analysis method based on documentary studies was used to evaluate the articles. The statistical population of this study was all scientific-research articles published in domestic journals focusing on sports for people with disabilities (physically, blind, deaf, and mentally) in Iran. In this research, articles were conducted in the fields of sports management, sports psychology, sports sociology, sports law, and sports media, focusing on sports for people with disabilities. In the initial search, more than 120 articles were found, and after separating duplicate records, unrelated articles, articles in invalid journals, and articles without full text, 85 articles were included in the research process. The time period of the articles was from the beginning of 2014 to the middle of 2024. In order to identify and create a bank of articles in the field of sports for people with disabilities, an electronic search was conducted in Persian-language databases. These databases were: The National Publications Database, the Academic Jihad Scientific Database, the Noor Specialized Journals Database, the Comprehensive Humanities Portal, and Google Scholar. Another criterion for selecting articles for inclusion in the study was the ability to access the full text of the articles.Findings / Results:Based on the conducted studies, 85 scientific research articles entered the research process. Table 1 shows the studies conducted based on trends and sub-disciplines for sports for people with disabilities:Discussion and Conclusion:The purpose of the present study was to systematically review articles published in domestic scientific and research journals in the field of sports for people with disabilities from 2014 to 2024. The results of this study are presented in Tables 1 and 2. The level of attention paid to people with disabilities in the adoption of laws and regulations and in their implementation is not the same, and as observed in research, in practice, people with physical and motor disabilities are given more attention than other disabilities. For example, in paragraph 8 of section A of article 4 of the law, the objectives, duties and authorities of the Ministry of Sports and Youth, the adaptation of sports places and spaces for the use and presence of women, families and the physically and mentally disabled, the duties of this ministry in the field of sports are stated. This is despite the fact that there are different types of disabilities, each with specific needs and conditions, and adaptations that are made for people with physical and motor disabilities do not mean that they are also suitable for other groups of people with disabilities. In addition, despite numerous laws and regulations in the field of sports for people with disabilities, in practice and in implementation, these laws and regulations have not been implemented very well, and even though more than 16 percent of the world's population consists of people with disabilities, and this figure is higher in underdeveloped and developing countries, the amount of sports facilities and amenities available to these people, which are adapted to their specific conditions, is very limited and not proportionate to their percentage of the population. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the necessary implementation guarantees not only in research, but also in legislation, determining policies and guidelines. Also, in implementing laws and regulations with a distributive and procedural justice approach, equal attention should be paid to people with disabilities, which is in line with the fundamental principles of human rights. In conducting studies in the field of sports management for people with disabilities, all spectrums of disabilities should be considered and studied, and studies should not be limited to just one spectrum of people with disabilities. Among the limitations of the present study are the inability to access the full text of some scientific research articles and the failure to review other studies, including foreign books and articles.
Ehsan Vafaee noughabie; Hamidreza Taheri Torbati; Vaheed Jahedi; mersad khodashenas
Volume 1, Issue 1 , January 2026, Pages 189-205
Abstract
Background and Aim:Motor skill learning occurs both during practice and in the period of no practice between training sessions. In contrast to learning that happens during practice and acquisition, known as online learning, another type of learning that takes place between practice sessions is referred ...
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Background and Aim:Motor skill learning occurs both during practice and in the period of no practice between training sessions. In contrast to learning that happens during practice and acquisition, known as online learning, another type of learning that takes place between practice sessions is referred to as offline learning. Offline learning, also known as memory consolidation, can lead to increased resistance to interference, stabilization, or even improvement of performance. It appears that memory consolidation can occur in different states of consciousness, such as wakefulness or sleep.An important question regarding motor memory consolidation is whether sleep facilitates motor memory consolidation or not. Despite numerous studies and various hypotheses about the role of sleep in memory consolidation, it is still debated whether sleep is necessary for the process of motor memory consolidation. Therefore, answering this question may only be possible by considering an appropriate classification. Since motor memory encoding can occur both implicitly and explicitly, the encoding conditions may serve as a general classification suitable to answer this question; however, other aspects, particularly specific task conditions, should also be taken into account.This review article examines the role of sleep in the consolidation of motor memory for explicit and implicit tasks. The main question of this review is whether classifying tasks based on encoding conditions into explicit and implicit types can help determine the role of sleep in motor memory consolidation.Research Method:In this narrative review, scientific articles were searched using the databases "Google Scholar," "PubMed," "Science Direct," and "Web of Science." The keywords used were "consolidation," "explicit task," "implicit task," "explicit learning," "implicit learning," and "sleep." The specific search strategy in the databases was as follows:(((Consolidation) OR (memory consolidation) OR (motor memory consolidation)) AND ((implicit learning) OR (explicit learning) OR (implicit task) OR (explicit task)) AND (sleep))The inclusion and selection criteria for this review article were based on methodological and clinical factors such as the population studied and the type of intervention used in the articles. Using this method, a total of 120 articles were extracted by reviewing the titles. After screening the abstracts and applying exclusion criteria, which included topics outside the scope of the review, 42 articles were selected. Finally, after examining the full texts, 25 relevant articles were chosen and used in this review article.Findings:In this review article, by classifying tasks based on the type of memory encoding into explicit and implicit, the role of sleep in motor memory consolidation was examined using 25 selected studies. Overall, the results indicate that the role of sleep in consolidating explicit tasks depends on various factors. These include task complexity, whether the task is discrete or continuous, whether fine or gross motor muscles are involved, and the type of memory representation of the tasks. These factors must be considered when investigating the role of sleep in motor memory consolidation. Therefore, explicit encoding conditions alone cannot determine the role of sleep in motor memory consolidation.Regarding implicit tasks, most evidence suggests that implicit encoding conditions make motor memory consolidation in implicit tasks dependent on the passage of time. Although some studies reported conflicting results, it should be noted that these studies had doubts about the implicit nature of the task encoding. Subsequent investigations contradicted those findings and showed that the encoding in the mentioned studies was actually explicit. Therefore, it can be generally accepted that consolidation of implicit motor tasks occurs without the necessity of sleep.In conclusion, both explicit and implicit encoding conditions (awareness of the task) play a key role in determining the role of sleep in motor memory consolidation.Discussion and Conclusion:This review aimed to answer the question of whether sleep plays a role in motor memory consolidation or not. To do so, tasks were classified based on encoding conditions into implicit and explicit types. The findings indicated that classifying tasks into explicit and implicit categories is suitable for examining the role of sleep in motor memory consolidation for implicit tasks but not appropriate for explicit tasks.This article can serve as a useful reference for future research in the field of motor memory consolidation and the effects of sleep, providing a foundation for further studies and helping to clarify post-practice needs of explicit and implicit tasks.The review did not address the role of different sleep stages, emotional components, or individual differences. Given the extensive data in each of these areas, each represents an opportunity for future research
Hassan Daneshmandi; Meghdad Teymouri
Volume 1, Issue 1 , January 2026, Pages 206-233
Abstract
AbstractThe study of talent identification is a complex area, and there are many variables that affect athletic performance. This complexity is greater in Paralympic sports compared to the Olympics due to the unique impacts of disabilities and the specific classification rules and regulations. It has ...
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AbstractThe study of talent identification is a complex area, and there are many variables that affect athletic performance. This complexity is greater in Paralympic sports compared to the Olympics due to the unique impacts of disabilities and the specific classification rules and regulations. It has been stated that the cost required to win a gold medal in the Olympics is about $37 million (1), and considering that resources in Paralympic sports are much more limited compared to the Olympics, proper talent identification can reduce mistakes, increase the effectiveness of resources, and prevent many identified athletes from failing. If it is possible to eliminate such errors in the talent identification system, it would provide the sporting body with the opportunity to focus on economic costs and select a smaller community of athletes, subsequently allowing for greater focus on coaches and other resources in the pursuit of excellence. Therefore, due to the importance of the topic, the aim of this article is to review the challenges, models, and methods of talent identification for Paralympic athletes.MethodsAccess to articles was conducted using databases and search engines such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, and Elsevier with the keywords Talent, Identification, Development, Paralympic, Model, Pathway, as well as Persian keywords; Talent and Identification, Paralympic Games. This search was performed on the national journal databases (MAGIRAN), the Scientific Information Database of the Jihad University (SID), and the Islamic World Science Citation Center (ISC). The timeframe for the articles used ranged from 1990 to 2024. The method for selecting articles is illustrated in Figure 1. In this study, 26 English sources and 3 Persian sources were reviewed. Given that the aim of this review article was to examine the theories, models, pathways, and policies of Paralympic sports, articles that evaluated various factors of talent identification in Paralympic sports disciplines were excluded, and only studies that theoretically and fundamentally addressed these policies were utilized.FindingsAfter reviewing and studying numerous articles, the research results have been classified into two sections: talent identification models and pathways for talent identification in Paralympic sports.Talent Identification Models in Paralympic SportsThe Structural Design and Analysis Principles (IAD) by Strohm (2005 and 2011) provide a clear framework for studying and examining the selection process of Paralympic athletes and categorizes the complexities involved in the decisions regarding the selection of these athletes. What is evident is that there is limited quantitative information available regarding the talent identification models in Paralympic sports, and it cannot be claimed that a framework and structure can fully and precisely address all aspects and complexities of this field (2,3).Methods and Pathways for Talent Identification in Paralympic SportsPankoviak (2020) and Patatas (2019) stated that the path of Paralympic athletes is a multidimensional development trajectory with intra-individual, inter-individual, organizational, and institutional indicators, as well as cultural-social factors that impact the athletes' growth from amateur levels to elite status (4,5). The way individuals enter this system, progress along the pathway, and achieve excellence in Paralympic sports varies widely due to the diverse entry routes into sports, the broad age range of athletes with various disabilities, and the relationship between the classification system of athletes and the existing rules across multiple disciplines. Determining a clear pathway for talent identification among Paralympic athletes is a very challenging and complex task. Among the challenging aspects of talent identification is its connection to classification and the permission for each athlete's participation in national and international competitions. Factors related to Paralympic athletes, such as the type of disability, the extent of primary or secondary disability, and classification, can indicate the level of complexity and influence in the field of talent identification (6). In Canada, the country's Paralympic Committee, following the path of the National Olympic Committee, initiated an innovative program called "Searching for Paralympians," which is conducted three to four times a year across Canada with the aim of raising awareness, attracting novice athletes, identifying talents, and facilitating the transfer of talents to national Paralympic teams (7).Discussion and ConclusionAlthough there is no complete and precise framework or structure to fully address the complexities of talent identification in Paralympic sports, it seems that a modified version of the talent identification models used for Olympic athletes, considering the specific considerations of Paralympic athletes such as disabilities and impairments, can currently be applied. Since the potential for excellence and champion development in these sports is inherently multidimensional, talent scouts need to clearly evaluate these dimensions and the weight of each one when selecting elite individuals. Alongside analyzing rules and regulations, athlete characteristics, and environmental conditions, they should be able to optimally determine a better selection strategy. Factors related to impairments are regarded as one of the main elements of talent identification in Paralympic sports, and having a suitable organization and structure for the classification process at the beginning stages of talent identification is essential to prevent possible injuries and wastage of resources in the champion development path in any country. If the path of champion development and excellence in Paralympic sports is to converge and align with that of Olympic sports, it seems necessary to provide hardware (such as sports equipment and facilities) and software (such as trained coaches) for schools and clubs to increase participation and facilitate the earlier entry of these individuals into the realm of sports participation.
Narges Baradaran Ghassemi; Seyedeh Saba Mohammadi khas; Shahnaz Bambeichi
Volume 1, Issue 1 , January 2026, Pages 234-252
Abstract
Vitamin B12 is known as one of the essential vitamins for maintaining general health and optimal body function. This vitamin plays a vital role in energy metabolism, red blood cell production, and nervous system function. Given the high importance of aerobic performance in athletes, investigating ...
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Vitamin B12 is known as one of the essential vitamins for maintaining general health and optimal body function. This vitamin plays a vital role in energy metabolism, red blood cell production, and nervous system function. Given the high importance of aerobic performance in athletes, investigating the effect of B12 supplementation on this performance is an important and significant issue. This study aims to investigate the effects of vitamin B12 supplementation on improving aerobic performance in athletes and identify its possible mechanisms.Research has shown that vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to reduced aerobic capacity and increased fatigue in athletes. Therefore, investigating the positive or negative effects of B12 supplementation can help improve athletic performance and quality of life in athletes. This study seeks to identify the relationship between B12 supplementation and improved aerobic performance, including oxygen consumption capacity (VO2 max), endurance ability, and recovery time.The results of this study can help coaches and athletes in nutritional planning and selecting appropriate supplements, and also pave the way for further research in this area. Given the increasing use of supplements in the world of sports, this research can be used as a reliable source for scientific and practical decisions in the field of sports nutrition.Research MethodA systematic and comprehensive approach is taken to write the article. This method involves several steps that collect, analyze, and interpret existing data on the effect of vitamin B12 on sports performance. First, a thorough review of the existing literature is conducted to identify relevant articles. This step involves searching reputable databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Relevant keywords include “vitamin B12,” “aerobic performance,” “nutritional supplements,” and “athletes.”After identifying the initial articles, the inclusion and exclusion criteria are determined for selecting studies. Studies that have investigated the effect of vitamin B12 on aerobic performance in athletes and have been published within the last ten years are considered. Articles that include clinical, experimental, or meta-analyses will also be selected as reliable sources. In addition, articles that examined the possible side effects or risks of vitamin B12 supplementation are included to provide a comprehensive view. Next, the information extracted from the selected articles is carefully analyzed. This information includes the type of study (experimental, observational, systematic review), number of participants, dose and duration of vitamin B12 supplementation, and the main results on aerobic performance. table 1: entry and exit criteria Entry criteriaexit criteriaStudy TypeResearch articles (clinical studies, observational studies, and systematic reviews) that examined the effect of B12 supplementation on aerobic performance.Theoretical articles, non-systematic reviews, or articles that address the effects of other supplements on aerobic performance.Study Population• Professional or amateur athletes (of either sex)• Adults (18 years and older)People with chronic diseases (such as diabetes, heart disease, or endocrine disorders).People taking other supplements simultaneously with B12.InterventionUse of vitamin B12 supplementation in any form(tablets, capsules, injections)Studies that do not mention a specific dose of B12 supplementation.Studies with an intervention duration of less than 4 weeks.OutcomesMeasurement of aerobic performance (such as VO2 max, running time, exercise tolerance, or other relevant parameters).No measurement of aerobic performance parameters.LanguageArticles published in Persian or EnglishArticles published in languages other than Persian or English.Time PeriodArticles published in the last 10 years(e.g., from 2013 onwards).Articles published before 2013.FindingsThe functions of vitamin B12 are very diverse. One of its main functions is to help metabolize fatty acids and produce energy. This vitamin is also effective in converting nutrients into energy and acts as a cofactor in various biochemical reactions. In addition, B12 is involved in processes related to the production and maintenance of myelin, which is the protective covering of nerves, and for this reason, its deficiency can lead to serious neurological problems. Deficiency of this vitamin can have serious health consequences, including fatigue, weakness, memory problems, mood disorders, and even megaloblastic anemia. Therefore, it is very important to be aware of food sources containing B12 and the daily requirement of this vitamin to maintain general health [2].B12 also plays an important role in protein metabolism. For athletes, proteins are the main source of muscle building and tissue repair after hard training. Since B12 is effective in converting proteins into energy, supplementation with this vitamin can help with muscle growth and strength. Vitamin B12 has a significant impact on aerobic performance, primarily through increased hemoglobin levels and improved oxygen delivery to tissues. As hemoglobin levels increase, the body’s ability to use oxygen during exercise increases [4].On the other hand, some studies have shown that excessive vitamin B12 intake may have side effects. In one study, high doses of this supplement resulted in unpleasant symptoms such as headaches and anxiety in some athletes [14]. Therefore, it is important to follow the appropriate dosage and consult a nutritionist before starting supplementation.Some researchers have also noted the positive effects of vitamin B12 on the immune system of athletes. This vitamin can help strengthen the immune system and reduce the risk of infections in athletes [15,16].Discussion and ConclusionVitamin B12 supplementation is known to be an important factor in improving aerobic performance in athletes. Research results show that this vitamin acts as a vital factor in energy metabolism and can help produce red blood cells. This feature is especially important for endurance athletes who require more oxygen.In addition to the positive effects on aerobic performance, taking this supplement can help reduce fatigue during long-term exercise, so a vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to serious problems in athletic performance. Athletes who are deficient in this vitamin may experience complications such as anemia, chronic fatigue, and decreased physical ability, and low levels of vitamin B12 are associated with an increased risk of depression and anxiety.
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