Longevity

Introduction and Objective: Aging is associated with increased chronic intestinal inflammation, which increases the risk of gastrointestinal and systemic diseases in the elderly. Exercise training, especially aerobic and resistance training, can modulate inflammation, but their effects on the elderly intestine are less well known. This study aimed to investigate the effect of aerobic and resistance training on irisin levels and the expression of inflammatory genes TGF-β, NF-κB, and SIRT1 in intestinal lymphocytes of aged mice to evaluate non-invasive strategies for reducing intestinal inflammation in aging.
Methodology: In this laboratory trial, 32 aged male Wistar rats (18 months old) were divided into four groups: healthy control (Ct), untrained aged (Aged), aerobically trained aged (Aero), and resistance-trained aged (Res). The training protocols were performed for 8 weeks (5 days per week); The aerobic group trained at moderate intensity (speed 12 m/min, up to 56 min) and the resistance group trained with increasing weights (5% to 40% of body weight, 8 climbs per session). Gene expression was measured by Real-Time PCR technique and irisin levels were measured by ELISA kit. Data were analyzed with SPSS software; two-way ANOVA test was used to examine the main effects of groups and type of training, Tukey's test for paired comparisons, and independent t-test was used to directly compare the aerobic and resistance groups (p < 0.05).
Findings: TGF-β gene expression increased in the Aged group compared to the Ct group (P < 0.001). However, it showed a significant decrease in both training groups (Aero: 17%; Res: 22%; P < 0.05). NF-κB expression was also increased in the Aged group (P < 0.001) and decreased in the exercise groups (Aero: 36%; Res: 40%; P < 0.001). SIRT1 expression was decreased in the Aged group (P < 0.001) and increased in the exercise groups (Aero: 50%; Res: 67%; P < 0.001). The difference between Aero and Res was not significant for all three genes (P > 0.05). Irisin levels increased in both exercise groups, but the difference between them was not significant (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: Aerobic and resistance training can reduce intestinal inflammation in aging and improve intestinal health. Resistance training showed stronger effects, although the differences were not significant. It is suggested that resistance and aerobic training be integrated into the exercise programs of the elderly to achieve optimal anti-inflammatory effects

Lifelong regular physical activity plays a critical and pivotal role in health and physical performance—a role that becomes even more significant for physical education teachers, who serve as behavioral role models and key agents in promoting an active lifestyle. However, few studies have investigated the effects of physical activity intensity and volume on the sport performance and physical fitness of this occupational group. The present study aimed to examine the role of lifelong and current physical activity intensity and volume in sport performance and physical fitness among male physical education teachers in Khuzestan Province. This cross-sectional study included 105 male teachers (mean age = 38.76 ± 7.12 years) selected through multistage cluster sampling. Lifelong and current physical activity were assessed using the HLAQ and IPAQ questionnaires, respectively; body composition was assessed using body mass index (BMI), and sport performance and physical fitness were evaluated using skill-based, circuit-based, and aerobic tests. Vigorous lifelong physical activity showed stronger correlations with sport skills (r = 0.46), circuit performance (r = 0.60), and overall performance (r = 0.55) than moderate or current activity (p < .05). Teachers with normal weight and younger age had better performance. Vigorous physical activity, age, and BMI predicted 51%, 28%, and 53% of overall, skill-based, and circuit-based performance, respectively. Vigorous and sustained physical activity across the lifespan, combined with optimal body composition, plays a key role in improving sport performance and physical fitness among physical education teachers. Targeted intervention programs to promote vigorous activity and weight management are recommended.

This study aimed to systematically investigate the simultaneous effects of physical activity level and sleep quality on cognitive-emotional functions in Iranian older adults. The research employed a cross-sectional descriptive design with multi-stage random cluster sampling. The statistical population consisted of 2,180 adults aged over 60 years from five geographical regions of Iran. Data collection tools included the Cognitive Triad Inventory (CTI), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the CHAMPS Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Adults. Results of the two-way multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) indicated that the main effects of physical activity level, sleep quality, and their interaction on the subscales of the cognitive triad in older adults were significant. Post hoc test results revealed that increased physical activity, regardless of sleep quality, was associated with improved self-perception among older adults (P = 0.001). Regarding worldview, the only significant difference was observed between sedentary and inactive groups with poor sleep quality (P = 0.05). More importantly, in older adults with poor sleep quality, higher physical activity was related to a more positive future outlook (P ≤ 0.05), whereas this relationship was not significant in the good sleep quality group. Findings showed that both physical activity (η² = 0.054) and sleep quality (η² = 0.058) had independent moderate effects on the subscales of the cognitive triad, while the interaction effect was stronger (η² = 0.1), accounting for a substantial proportion of the variance. This study suggests that physical activity can serve as a moderating factor in the relationship between sleep quality and cognitive attitudes in older adults. Specifically, in those with poor sleep quality, increased physical activity was associated with improved self-perception and future outlook, highlighting the importance of incorporating exercise programs into mental health interventions for this population. The findings support the development of targeted combined programs that address both sleep improvement and physical activity enhancement.

To investigate the role of artificial intelligence in analyzing central and peripheral mechanisms involved in gait adaptation among the elderly. This study employed a narrative review design using descriptive analysis. A systematic search was conducted across international databases from 2015 to 2025 to identify relevant studies on the use of AI in gait analysis in older adults. Extracted data were categorized based on data types (motion, neural, muscular, wearable) and the AI algorithms applied. The results indicate that AI algorithms have effectively identified abnormal gait patterns in older adults and modeled interactions between brain activity, muscle coordination, and joint dynamics. The use of multimodal data, such as EEG, EMG, fNIRS imaging, and wearable sensors, has enabled early prediction of pathological gait changes. Algorithms such as neural networks, Random Forest, and SVM demonstrated high performance in processing these datasets. Artificial intelligence, through its capacity to process complex data and detect hidden patterns, serves as a powerful tool in the analysis of gait mechanisms in aging. Despite challenges such as data quality dependency and interpretability issues, AI can play a vital role in early diagnosis, personalized rehabilitation planning, and enhancing mobility independence in older adults.

This study aims to examine balance compensation strategies in the elderly using wearable sensors and explore their application in motion monitoring, fall prediction, and intelligent interventions. This research is a narrative review using a descriptive analysis method. Articles published between 2020 and 2025 were retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and IEEE Xplore. Eligible studies were selected based on relevance to elderly populations, wearable sensor technologies, and their practical applications in balance-related interventions. The results indicate that wearable sensors are effective tools for biomechanical assessment, precise measurement of gait parameters, and detection of abnormal movement patterns. These devices have the potential to predict fall risks through machine learning algorithms and are applied in real-time feedback systems for posture correction. Augmented and virtual reality were also identified as innovative training platforms that can be integrated with sensor data for balance rehabilitation. The application of wearable sensors in elderly balance rehabilitation represents a novel and multidimensional approach that enables personalized interventions, accurate data collection, and real-life monitoring. This technology holds significant promise in fall prevention and enhancing the quality of life for older adults.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of functional training on static and dynamic balance in elderly men. In this quasi-experimental study, 26 healthy elderly men residing in a nursing home in Qazvin, who volunteered to participate in the research, were purposefully selected and assigned to experimental (n = 18) and control (n = 17) groups. The experimental group participated in a functional training program for 8 weeks, three sessions per week. Static and dynamic balance of the participants were assessed using the Stork Balance Test and the Timed Up and Go Test in two stages, before and after the 8-week intervention. Statistical analyses were conducted using paired t-tests and independent t-tests. After implementing the functional training program, dynamic balance in the experimental group increased significantly (p = 0.00), whereas no significant change was observed in static balance (p = 0.00). It appears that regular functional training improves dynamic balance in the elderly. Therefore, it can be recommended as an appropriate exercise approach for enhancing balance.

Health literacy refers to an individual’s capacity to acquire, interpret, and comprehend essential information from educational concepts in order to make appropriate decisions. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between information literacy and health literacy among physical education teachers in the Gilan Province Department of Education. This research employed a descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional design, conducted in 2020. A total of 175 physical education teachers were selected as the sample. Standardized questionnaires on information literacy by Boroujeni et al., and the Health Literacy for Iranian Adults (HELIA) questionnaire were used. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was applied to assess the normality of the data, and both descriptive and inferential statistical tests were employed to analyze the data. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS and PLS software. The path coefficient between information literacy and health literacy among physical education teachers in the Gilan Province Department of Education was found to be 0.91, indicating a positive and significant correlation. Furthermore, the significance levels of the path coefficients between health literacy and age, employment status, and educational attainment (t = 1.97), as well as between information literacy and age, employment status, and educational attainment (t = 1.98), suggest a statistically significant relationship between the variables (P < 0.05). It appears that information literacy emphasizes information-related skills ranging from the acquisition to the evaluation and application of information. Enhancing information literacy skills among teachers can also pave the way for the improvement of their health literacy.

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two training approaches—Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) and the Fall-Proof program—on balance and motor performance in elderly women with a history of falls. In this quasi-experimental study, 35 elderly women aged 60 to 70 years with a history of falling were randomly assigned to one of two training groups: DNS (n = 17) or Fall-Proof (n = 18). The interventions were conducted over four weeks, consisting of 12 training sessions. Balance was assessed using the Mini-BESTest, while motor performance was evaluated through the 30-Second Chair Stand Test (CST) and the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA, and partial eta squared was used to determine effect sizes. The results showed that both training programs significantly improved balance and motor performance among participants (p < 0.001). However, no statistically significant difference was found between the two groups (p > 0.05). The effect sizes were 0.71 for balance and 0.62 for motor performance, indicating clinically meaningful improvements. These findings suggest that both DNS and Fall-Proof exercises are effective interventions for enhancing balance and motor function in older women with a history of falling. Implementing such programs may help reduce the risk of falls and improve quality of life in this population.