Longevity

This study examines the impact of cognitive and physical interventions on the quality of life and stress among middle-aged retired athletes. Utilizing a narrative and descriptive analysis method, articles published between 2020 and 2024 were reviewed. The findings indicate that physical interventions such as aerobic, resistance, and flexibility exercises lead to improved physical health, increased muscle strength, and enhanced immune function, thereby improving quality of life and reducing stress. Conversely, cognitive interventions like mindfulness exercises and cognitive-behavioral therapy positively affect mental health and stress reduction by altering negative thought patterns and enhancing coping skills. The combination of these interventions creates synergistic effects that contribute to overall health improvement and increased longevity. However, limitations such as the need for long-term commitment, access to resources, and professional expertise may affect the implementation of these interventions. Therefore, it is recommended to design combined and personalized intervention programs that consider individual needs and conditions to improve quality of life, reduce stress, and prevent diseases in middle-aged retired athletes.

This study aims to identify the key factors influencing the development of AI startups in the health and sports sectors. This applied and survey-based study included a sample of 137 managers, experts, and staff from AI startups in health and sports, selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire comprising 39 items across six dimensions. Analytical methods included the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test for normality, confirmatory factor analysis, and the Friedman test for ranking factors. The findings revealed that managerial factors, with a mean score of 4.79, played the most significant role in developing AI startups in health and sports. Economic factors (mean score: 4.55) and advertising factors (mean score: 4.33) ranked second and third, respectively. Innovation, awareness, and cultural factors followed in descending order. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that all questionnaire items had factor loadings above 0.4, demonstrating the construct validity of the instrument. The results highlight that effective management and adequate financial resources are critical for the success of AI startups. Moreover, strategic advertising and raising public awareness can facilitate the adoption of AI technologies. These insights can guide policymakers and managers in designing effective strategies to expand AI startups in the health and sports sectors.

The purpose of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of the Zen technique on alpha waves in elderly residents of the Kahrizak Nursing Home. This was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design and both experimental and control groups. The research population consisted of all elderly residents of the Kahrizak Nursing Home in Tehran in 2023. From this population, 42 individuals (20 men and 22 women) were selected through convenience sampling, and after matching based on age, gender, and cognitive status, they were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups (21 in each group). The tools used in this study were the MoCA questionnaire for detecting mild cognitive impairment and an electroencephalograph (EEG) device. Initially, brain waves of both groups were recorded using a 19-electrode system with a Sienna 40-channel EEG device. Then, the experimental group received 20 sessions of Zen technique training, and EEG data were recorded again for both groups. Analysis was performed on the frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, and central electrodes using the EEGLAB toolbox in MATLAB software. The power of alpha waves was calculated using analysis of covariance in SPSS 26 software (P < 0.05). The results indicated that the alpha wave power in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The dependent variables of temporal waves [F(1, 35) = 18.915, p < .001], occipital waves [F(1, 35) = 6.835, p < .001], and central waves [F(1, 35) = 6.674, p < .001] were significant, with eta-squared values showing that approximately 35% of the variance in temporal waves, 16% in occipital waves, and nearly 16% in central waves in the experimental group could be explained by the impact of Zen technique training. However, this training method did not affect the frontal and parietal scores in the posttest compared to the control group.

This study examines the impact of cognitive and physical interventions on the quality of life and stress among middle-aged retired athletes. Utilizing a narrative and descriptive analysis method, articles published between 2020 and 2024 were reviewed. The findings indicate that physical interventions such as aerobic, resistance, and flexibility exercises lead to improved physical health, increased muscle strength, and enhanced immune function, thereby improving quality of life and reducing stress. Conversely, cognitive interventions like mindfulness exercises and cognitive-behavioral therapy positively affect mental health and stress reduction by altering negative thought patterns and enhancing coping skills. The combination of these interventions creates synergistic effects that contribute to overall health improvement and increased longevity. However, limitations such as the need for long-term commitment, access to resources, and professional expertise may affect the implementation of these interventions. Therefore, it is recommended to design combined and personalized intervention programs that consider individual needs and conditions to improve quality of life, reduce stress, and prevent diseases in middle-aged retired athletes.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of Fall-Proof exercises with different intensities and frequencies on the balance of older adults. In this study, elderly participants aged 66 to 77 years were divided into five experimental groups of ten individuals each, with varying intensities and frequencies (high and low), and one control group. Participants engaged in a research design consisting of a pre-test, eight weeks of Fall-Proof exercises, and a post-test. The experimental groups participated in Fall-Proof exercises for eight weeks (three sessions per week, each lasting 45 minutes) with either high or low frequency, starting immediately after the pre-test. The control group continued with their daily activities following the pre-test. The Fall-Proof Activity and Health Questionnaire was used to collect information on general health status, lifestyle, and physical activity patterns of the elderly participants. The Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale was used to identify balance problems. The Shapiro-Wilk test was employed to assess the normality of the data, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and Bonferroni post hoc tests were used for data analysis, with a significance level of 0.05. The research findings indicated that Fall-Proof exercises with both high and low intensities and frequencies improved the balance of older adults. Additionally, it was observed that there was a significant difference only between the balance improvements in elderly participants undergoing high-intensity and frequency Fall-Proof exercises compared to those in the low-intensity and frequency group. It can be inferred that this exercise program with varying intensities and frequencies is an effective method for improving balance, which consequently reduces the risk of falls in the elderly population. Furthermore, implementing this exercise program as a preventive and therapeutic measure may likely reduce physical, financial, psychological, and emotional pressures on the families of older adults to some extent, thereby affecting their quality of life.

This study examined the impact of Fall-Proof exercises on the balance of elderly individuals aged 66 to 77 years. In this research, 20 elderly men were divided into an experimental group and a control group. All participants took part in a research design that included a pre-test, eight weeks of Fall-Proof exercises, and a post-test. The experimental groups participated in training for eight weeks, three sessions per week, with each session lasting 45 minutes, while the control group continued with their daily activities. The Fall-Proof Activity and Health Questionnaire was used to collect data, providing information about general health status, lifestyle, and physical activity patterns of the elderly participants. Additionally, the Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale was used to identify balance issues. The results of the covariance analysis test indicated a significant difference in balance variables between the experimental group (high-intensity exercises) and the control group (F = 31.92, p = 0.001, η² = 0.44). Furthermore, the pre-test, as a covariate, had a significant effect on the results (F = 24.76, p = 0.001, η² = 0.38). The adjusted mean of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group, indicating a notable effectiveness of this training protocol on the balance of elderly men in Mashhad. These results emphasize the importance of Fall-Proof exercises as an effective intervention for improving balance in the elderly, and they can be used as a rehabilitation strategy in elderly exercise programs.

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is rapidly expanding as a comprehensive therapeutic tool in geriatric rehabilitation, offering diverse applications beyond traditional muscle strengthening. This article examines various applications and effectiveness of NMES in the elderly across multiple functional domains. Recent evidence suggests that NMES can aid in enhancing brain plasticity, increasing muscle mass and strength, improving balance and postural control, and facilitating functional recovery in the elderly. Studies have shown that this form of stimulation can elevate serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is considered an indicator of potential neuroprotective effects. In the domain of muscle performance, promising results have been observed with NMES in preventing age-related muscle atrophy and improving strength, particularly when regular exercise may be challenging. Furthermore, significant improvements in balance and postural control have been observed in the elderly, which are enhanced when combined with voluntary muscle contractions. NMES has also demonstrated its efficacy in specific clinical conditions common among the elderly, such as post-stroke rehabilitation, dysphagia, and muscle weakness due to severe illness. Recent technological advancements, including wearable devices and brain-controlled systems, have broadened the scope of this intervention. However, variability in protocols, stimulation parameters, and outcome measures across different studies presents challenges for establishing standardized treatment guidelines. This article analyzes the current evidence regarding the multifaceted applications of NMES in geriatric rehabilitation and discusses its established benefits and emerging applications. Understanding these varied applications and their underlying mechanisms is critical for healthcare providers to optimize the implementation of NMES in elderly rehabilitation programs.

This study aims to examine the relationship between healthcare satisfaction, spiritual wellbeing, and pain management in patients from Tehran. It explores how these independent variables can predict the effectiveness of pain management strategies. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 278 participants from Tehran. The sample size was determined based on the Morgan and Krejcie table. Data were collected using standard questionnaires for pain management, healthcare satisfaction, and spiritual wellbeing. The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression through SPSS-27 software. Descriptive statistics showed that the mean and standard deviation for pain management were 3.65 and 0.78, for healthcare satisfaction were 4.12 and 0.64, and for spiritual wellbeing were 3.85 and 0.71. Pearson correlation results indicated significant positive correlations between pain management and healthcare satisfaction (r = 0.45, p < 0.001) and between pain management and spiritual wellbeing (r = 0.39, p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that both healthcare satisfaction (B = 0.34, SE = 0.07, β = 0.36, p < 0.001) and spiritual wellbeing (B = 0.29, SE = 0.08, β = 0.29, p < 0.001) significantly predicted pain management. The findings suggest that higher levels of healthcare satisfaction and spiritual wellbeing are associated with better pain management outcomes. These results underscore the importance of considering patients' satisfaction with healthcare services and their spiritual wellbeing in developing effective pain management strategies. Further longitudinal studies are recommended to explore causal relationships.