Longevity

This study examines the relationship between parenting and parental stress in young mothers. Parenting is defined as mothers' perceptions and perceptions of behaviors, attitudes, and practices applied in interacting with their children. Parenting stress is also considered an unpleasant and stressful experience in playing the parenting role that can affect mothers' mental health, the quality of parent-child interaction, and parenting styles. The present study was a descriptive-correlational study, and its statistical population included young mothers under 30 years of age with children under 6 years of age. Sampling was conducted using the convenience method, and data were collected through the Parenting Stress Questionnaire (PSI) and the Parenting Questionnaire. The validity and reliability of the instruments have been confirmed in previous studies. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics including Pearson correlation test and multiple regression. The results showed that there is a significant relationship between parenting dimensions and parental stress, and some parenting dimensions can have a predictive role in the level of parental stress. The findings of this study can be effective in identifying protective and vulnerable factors in the field of parenting and provide the basis for designing psychological and educational interventions to reduce parenting stress and improve the quality of parenting in young mothers.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy on non-judgmental acceptance, sociability, and feelings of personal security in individuals with generalized anxiety disorder.

Method: The present study was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The statistical population of this study consisted of all individuals with generalized anxiety disorder in Tehran in 1404 who referred to the Missing Piece Psychological Services and Counseling Center. In the present study, 30 individuals from the community were selected using a non-randomized method based on the inclusion criteria and then randomly assigned 15 individuals as the experimental group and 15 others as the control group. Finally, after the dropout, 12 participants successfully completed the intervention. In this study, the Kentucky Mindfulness Skills Questionnaire (Biro et al., 2004), Zuckerman-Coleman Personality (Zuckerman et al., 1993), and Personal Security (Taghizadeh and Mostafavi, 2017) were used. The experimental group participated in 8 90-minute sessions of mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy along with 45 minutes of daily home practice; while the control group did not receive any intervention. The collected data were analyzed using the multivariate and univariate analysis of covariance statistical model.

Findings: The results showed that there was a significant difference between the mean post-test scores of the experimental and control groups. (P< 0.01)

Conclusion: The findings indicate that mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy can be used as an effective therapeutic approach to increase nonjudgmental acceptance, sociability, and personal security in individuals with generalized anxiety disorder.

پژوهش حاضر با هدف مقایسه اثربخشی دو رویکرد بازی‌های مشارکتی و رقابتی بر خودکارآمدی و تبحر حرکتی کودکان دارای نشانه‌های اختلال هماهنگی رشدی انجام شد. روش پژوهش نیمه‌آزمایشی با طرح پیش‌آزمون و پس‌آزمون و گروه گواه بود. جامعه آماری شامل دانش‌آموزان دختر ۹ تا ۱۲ ساله شهرستان خوی در سال تحصیلی ۱۴۰۱–۱۴۰۰ بود. ابتدا غربالگری اولیه با پرسشنامه DCDQ-07 و سپس تأیید عملکرد حرکتی پایین با آزمون MABC-2 انجام شد؛ همچنین بر اساس گزارش والدین و پرونده مدرسه، وجود اختلالات عصبی آشکار، ناتوانی ذهنی و مشکلات شدید بینایی یا پزشکی به عنوان ملاک‌های خروج در نظر گرفته شد. از میان افراد واجد شرایط، ۳۶ نفر به روش نمونه‌گیری هدفمند انتخاب و به‌صورت تصادفی در سه گروه بازی‌های مشارکتی، بازی‌های رقابتی و گواه قرار گرفتند. گروه‌های آزمایش طی ۲۴ جلسه ۴۵ دقیقه‌ای، سه جلسه در هفته، برنامه بازی‌های مشارکتی یا رقابتی را دریافت کردند و گروه گواه فقط برنامه معمول تربیت بدنی مدرسه را ادامه داد. ابزارهای پژوهش شامل MABC-2 برای غربالگری/تأیید مشکل حرکتی، فرم کوتاه BOT-2 برای سنجش تبحر حرکتی و مقیاس خودکارآمدی کودکان ویلر و لَد بود. داده‌ها با تحلیل کوواریانس و آزمون تعقیبی LSD تحلیل شدند. نتایج نشان داد هر دو رویکرد بازی‌محور نسبت به گروه گواه موجب بهبود معنادار خودکارآمدی و تبحر حرکتی شدند، اما بازی‌های مشارکتی اثر بیشتری نسبت به بازی‌های رقابتی داشتند. این یافته‌ها نشان می‌دهد بازی‌های مشارکتی می‌توانند به عنوان رویکردی کم‌هزینه و مدرسه‌محور برای ارتقای عملکرد حرکتی و باور کارآمدی کودکان دارای نشانه‌های DCD استفاده شوند؛ با این حال، به دلیل نبود مرحله پیگیری و حجم نمونه محدود، درباره پایداری بلندمدت اثرها باید با احتیاط داوری کرد.

This quasi-experimental study examined the effect of rhythmic body percussion exercises on enjoyment of physical activity and executive function in girls aged 10-12 years with educable intellectual disability. The study used a pretest-posttest control-group design. Twenty-six eligible students from exceptional elementary schools in Dezful, Iran, during the 2023-2024 academic year were selected purposefully and randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 13) and a control group (n = 13). Enjoyment of physical activity was assessed using the Moore et al. questionnaire, and executive function was assessed using the Tower of London test. The experimental group completed an 18-session body percussion program over six weeks, with three 45-minute sessions per week, whereas the control group continued its usual daily routine. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance at the 0.05 significance level. After adjustment for pretest scores, significant between-group differences were observed in posttest enjoyment of physical activity and executive function (p < 0.001). Because baseline differences between groups were considerable and adjusted means were not available in the initial statistical output, the findings should be interpreted as preliminary evidence rather than as definitive proof of effectiveness. Body percussion exercises may be a low-cost, group-based, and feasible activity for special schools and rehabilitation settings; however, larger studies with active control groups and follow-up assessments are required.

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of dynamic neuromuscular stabilization exercises with a telerehabilitation approach on weight changes and flexibility in obese elderly women.

Methods: This research was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest control group design. The statistical population consisted of overweight and obese elderly women living in Mashhad, aged 60 to 75 years. The research sample included 30 individuals with a body mass index greater than 25 kg/m², selected through convenience sampling and, after screening, randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=15) and a control group (n=15). The experimental group received an eight-week dynamic neuromuscular stabilization exercise protocol (three sessions per week) with initial in-person instruction followed by telerehabilitation follow-up. Weight, body mass index, and upper and lower body flexibility were measured at both pretest and posttest stages. Analysis of covariance, controlling for pretest scores, was used to analyze the data, with a significance level set at 0.05.

Results: The results of the ANCOVA showed significant differences between the experimental and control groups for weight and body mass index (P=0.001). Additionally, significant differences were observed between the two groups for upper body flexibility of the right and left limbs (P=0.001) and lower body flexibility of the right and left limbs (P=0.001).

Conclusion: Six weeks of dynamic neuromuscular stabilization exercises with a telerehabilitation approach may lead to reduced weight and body mass index, as well as improved upper and lower body flexibility, in overweight and obese elderly women. Given the limited sample size, lack of long-term follow-up, and incomplete control over dietary intake and activities outside the program, clinical generalization of the results should be made with caution.

Mitochondrial dysfunction in type 2 diabetes is one of the major mechanisms underlying the reduced metabolic capacity of skeletal muscle. The present study was conducted to compare the effects of continuous and interval aerobic training on the mitochondrial biogenesis axis, including PGC-1α and TFAM, and on the mitochondrial fusion–fission balance, including MFN1 and DRP1, in the gastrocnemius muscle of diabetic rats. In this experimental study, male Wistar rats were assigned, following environmental acclimatization, to six groups: healthy control, healthy + continuous training, healthy + interval training, diabetic control, diabetic + continuous training, and diabetic + interval training (n = 8 per group). Diabetes was induced through a high-fat diet and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The exercise protocols were performed for eight weeks, five sessions per week. At the end of the intervention, the gastrocnemius muscle was harvested, and the relative expression levels of PGC-1α, TFAM, MFN1, and DRP1 genes were assessed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and analyzed using the 2^−ΔΔCt method. Type 2 diabetes was associated with decreased expression of PGC-1α, TFAM, and MFN1 and increased expression of DRP1. Both exercise interventions improved mitochondrial indices. Interval training produced a more pronounced increase in PGC-1α and TFAM expression, whereas continuous training demonstrated a more distinct effect on modulating the MFN1 and DRP1 expression profile. The findings suggest that the structure of exercise intensity may activate different pathways of mitochondrial adaptation in diabetic skeletal muscle. Nevertheless, due to the animal-based nature of the study and the absence of certain technical qRT-PCR details in the initial version, the practical interpretation of the findings should be approached with caution and following completion of the methodological reporting.

Type 2 diabetes is a common metabolic disorder characterized by reduced insulin sensitivity and alterations in the molecular response of skeletal muscle. The IRS-1/PIK3R1/Akt axis is one of the key pathways involved in the insulin response of skeletal muscle, and changes in the expression of genes within this axis may reflect molecular adaptations or dysfunctions in diabetic conditions. The present study aimed to compare the effects of aerobic and resistance training on the expression of IRS-1, PIK3R1, and Akt genes in the skeletal muscle of mice with type 2 diabetes. This experimental laboratory study was conducted on 40 male C57BL/6 mice. The animals were randomly assigned to four groups: healthy control, diabetic control, diabetic with aerobic training, and diabetic with resistance training. Type 2 diabetes was induced using a high-fat diet and a low-dose streptozotocin injection. The exercise programs were performed for 8 weeks, 5 sessions per week. Gene expression levels of IRS-1, PIK3R1, and Akt were measured in the Soleus and EDL muscles using Real-Time PCR. Data were reported using the 2^-ΔΔCt method, with the healthy control group serving as the calibrator. Data analysis was performed using two-way mixed ANOVA followed by the Bonferroni post hoc test. The results showed that type 2 diabetes was associated with reduced expression of IRS-1, PIK3R1, and Akt genes in both muscles. Both exercise interventions increased the expression of these genes compared with the diabetic control group; however, the pattern of gene response differed between the two training modalities. IRS-1 expression was higher in the resistance training group, whereas PIK3R1 and Akt expression levels were greater in the aerobic training group. Furthermore, significant effects of group, muscle type, and the group × muscle interaction were observed for all three genes. Overall, aerobic and resistance training were associated with distinct patterns of changes in the expression of genes related to the IRS-1/PIK3R1/Akt signaling axis in diabetic skeletal muscle.

The present study aimed to identify the factors affecting print-digital marketing development in football sports print media in Iraq. The study sought to present a conceptual model for redefining the role of print media in football marketing and explaining their connection with modern technologies. This study was conducted using a qualitative approach based on grounded theory. The research population included sports media managers, sports journalists, football section editors, club marketing managers, football coaches, and sponsors active in Iraqi sports print media. The participants consisted of 16 experts in this field, selected through purposive sampling. Primary data were collected through semi-structured interviews; sources were reviewed for the theoretical background. Data analysis was performed based on the Strauss and Corbin approach in three stages: open coding, axial coding, and selective coding. The data analysis process led to the extraction of 126 initial open codes, 28 axial codes, and 6 main categories. The main categories included causal conditions, the central phenomenon, contextual conditions, intervening conditions, strategies, and consequences. The central phenomenon was identified as the reconfiguration of football sports print media marketing within a print-digital model. The main strategies included launching complementary digital versions, designing integrated advertising packages, increasing interaction with fans, training media managers and staff, producing exclusive content, and strengthening cooperation among media, clubs, and sponsors. The qualitative findings indicated that Iraqi football sports print media need to move beyond traditional approaches and adopt an integrated, interactive, and technology-based model to maintain and strengthen their position.