Longevity

The aim of this study is to investigate balance compensation strategies in the elderly using wearable sensors and analyze their applications in movement monitoring, fall prediction, and providing smart interventions. This study is a narrative review with descriptive analysis method and was conducted using scientific sources published between 2020 and 2025. The articles were searched in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and IEEE Xplore databases. The selected articles were selected and analyzed based on their relevance to the topic, target population (elderly), type of wearable technology, and their application goals. The findings showed that wearable sensors are effective tools in biomechanical assessment of body movements, accurate measurement of gait parameters, and identification of movement abnormalities. These sensors have the ability to predict fall risk through machine learning algorithms and can be used in feedback interventions for rapid correction of body posture. Augmented and virtual reality were also introduced as new educational platforms for balance training in combination with sensor data. The use of wearable sensors in the field of balance rehabilitation for the elderly is a new and multifaceted approach that, by providing accurate data, personalized interventions, and the possibility of monitoring in the natural living environment, can play an effective role in preventing falls and improving the quality of life of the elderly.

اهداف: هدف از این مطالعه تعیین تاثیر تمرینات فانکشنال بر تعادل ایستا و پویای مردان سالمند انجام شد.

موارد و روش­ها: در این پژوهش نیمه تجربی 26 مرد سالمند سالم آسایشگاه سالمندان شهر قزوین که داوطلب شرکت در پژوهش بودند به طور هدفمند انتخاب شده و در دو گروه تجربی (18 نفر) و کنترل (17 نفر) قرار گرفتند. گروه تجربی به مدت 8 هفته و هر هفته سه جلسه در برنامه تمرین فانکشنال شرکت نمودند. تعادل ایستا و پویای آزمودنی­ها با استفاده از آزمون­های تعادلی لک لک و زمان برخاستن و رفتن در دو مرحله قبل و بعد از 8 هفته ارزیابی شدند. تجزیه و تحلیل آماری با استفاده از آزمون­های تی زوجی و تی مستقل انجام گرفت.

یافته­ها: پس از اجرای برنامه تمرین فانکشنال تعادل پویا در گروه تجربی به طور معناداری افزایش یافت (00/0p=)، اما در تعادل ایستا تغییر معناداری ایجاد نشد (00/0p=).

نتیجه­گیری: به نظر می­رسد تمرینات فانکشنال منظم موجب بهبود تعادل پویا در سالمندان می­شود، بنابراین به عنوان یک شیوه تمرینی مناسب برای افزایش تعادل توصیه می­شود.

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 determine and prioritize the dimensions, components, and indicators of elderly caregiver empowerment. This research is applied in terms of its objective and adopts a mixed-methods approach in terms of methodology. In this study, a research synthesis method was employed to systematically review related studies, and qualitative analysis was used to identify the main dimensions and components of elderly caregiver empowerment. The results identified five key dimensions in the training section: practical skills, communication skills, psychological and emotional support, management and leadership, and the use of technology. Moreover, in the empowerment section, seven dimensions were identified: training and skill development, healthcare services, social and psychological support, living environment and accessibility, financial and economic support, family awareness and education, and cultural awareness and information dissemination. Subsequently, using Chang’s Fuzzy Delphi techniques, the identified dimensions and components were prioritized. Elderly caregiver empowerment requires fundamental improvements, particularly in the areas of practical training and psychological and emotional support, whereas the use of technology ranked lower due to implementation complexities and limitations. The empowerment model was designed by integrating research findings and expert feedback, and by presenting a comprehensive model, the study explains the factors influencing the empowerment of elderly caregivers and provides practical recommendations to improve the quality of training and skill development of these caregivers.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (DNS) exercises on certain indicators of respiratory function and movement quality in overweight and obese women. In this quasi-experimental study, 36 obese women with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 29 and aged between 25 and 45 years were randomly assigned to experimental (n = 18) and control (n = 18) groups. The experimental group participated in three weekly sessions of 45 to 60 minutes of DNS training over a six-week period. Respiratory function was assessed using breath-holding tests (inhalation and exhalation phases) and respiratory rate (breaths per minute), while movement quality was evaluated using the Functional Movement Screening (FMS) test. Assessments were conducted before and after the intervention for both groups. Analysis of covariance revealed that DNS exercises had a statistically significant effect on breath-holding capacity during both inhalation and exhalation, as well as on certain movement quality indicators, including hurdle step, trunk stability push-up, rotary stability, and the total movement score (P < .001). However, no significant differences were observed between groups in respiratory rate, deep squat, in-line lunge, or shoulder mobility (P > .05). The findings suggest that DNS exercises can be effective in improving respiratory function—particularly breath-holding capacity—and certain patterns of functional movement in obese women. Given the limitations concerning some variables, future research employing more precise designs and advanced assessment tools is recommended.

This study examines the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence in the sports and healthcare industries, focusing on improving the quality of life for the elderly in Iran. This research is a narrative review using a descriptive analysis method, based on the examination of scientific studies published between 2020 and 2024. The reviewed sources include academic articles, research reports, and credible documents on AI applications in elderly health and sports. Extracted information has been analyzed under four main themes: improving access to medical services, health data analysis, developing personalized exercise programs, and increasing the efficiency of healthcare systems. The results indicate that artificial intelligence plays a crucial role in enhancing elderly health and can improve their quality of life through health monitoring systems, early disease detection, and intelligent rehabilitation programs. AI also contributes to optimizing medical services and reducing healthcare costs while facilitating remote medical care. However, challenges such as ethical and security concerns, infrastructural limitations, legal barriers, and digital literacy issues among the elderly are major obstacles to the widespread implementation of this technology. The integration of artificial intelligence in elderly healthcare and sports has significant potential to enhance medical and care services. However, to maximize its benefits, developing digital infrastructure, establishing supportive regulations, training specialized personnel, and increasing public awareness of AI advantages are essential. If these challenges are effectively addressed, this technology can play a key role in improving the quality of life for the elderly in Iran.

The primary objective of the present study is to examine the relationship between social health and prosocial personality among elderly men and women. This study employs a survey research method, with a statistical sample consisting of 300 elderly men and women who are members of the retirees’ association in Maragheh. Data were collected using Keyes’ Social Health Questionnaire and the Prosocial Personality Questionnaire developed by Safarinia et al. Data analysis was conducted using one-way and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results indicated that elderly men and women with higher levels of social health exhibit a more favorable prosocial personality compared to those with moderate and low levels of social health. Additionally, elderly women demonstrated a higher degree of prosocial personality compared to elderly men. Finally, the interaction effect of gender and social health on prosocial personality was not significant. This finding suggests that the level of social health does not differentially impact prosocial personality between elderly men and women, implying that prosocial personality is not solely determined by social health levels. It can be concluded that neither social health nor gender alone is a definitive determinant of prosocial personality.

The objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive review of the key steps, industry insights, and success strategies for launching a hydrotherapy business. This study employed a literature review approach with descriptive analysis. Relevant studies and articles related to hydrotherapy and therapeutic businesses from 2014 to 2024 were collected from reputable databases. The extracted data were evaluated using both qualitative and quantitative criteria, and market trends, as well as existing opportunities and threats, along with management and marketing strategies in this field, were analyzed. The findings indicate that success in launching a hydrotherapy business requires an integrated approach that combines thorough market research, the adoption of innovative technologies, the development of effective marketing strategies, and quality service management. Additionally, digitalizing processes and innovating service delivery have been identified as key factors in enhancing customer satisfaction and economic efficiency. This study emphasizes that integrating modern management approaches with technological innovations can pave the way for a successful and sustainable hydrotherapy business. Managers and entrepreneurs can optimally leverage existing opportunities by utilizing accurate market data and adopting contemporary strategies.