Physical Activity and Aging

Abstract Background and purpose: The aging process is intricately associated with a heightened susceptibility to high-risk, chronic conditions that significantly impact the overall quality of life. The prevalence of chronic neurological afflictions, exemplified by dementia, cognitive disorders, and related conditions, is escalating within the elderly demographic. Therefore, this research seeks to determine the effect of individual and team sport on the dual task performance of elderly individuals.
Materials and methods: Using a quasi-experimental design and adopting a community-centric paradigm, this study focused on elderly residents of Arak. A purposive selection method resulted in a cohort of 102 elderly individuals, aged 60 to 70, categorized into three groups: those actively engaged in individual sports (34 participants), participants involved in team sports (34 individuals), and a control group of inactive elderly individuals (34 participants). Cognitive-motor tests served as evaluative instruments for dual task performance. Data were underwent rigorous analysis using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc Tukey tests utilizing the SPSS software.
Results: The results heightened superior dual task performance among actively engaged elderly individuals in both individual and team sports compared to their inactive counterparts (P≤0.05). Interestingly, no statistically significant difference was observed between the individual and team sport cohorts (P≥0.05).
Conclusion: Both individual and team sports were found to improve dual-task in the elderly. Therefor it could be suggested that including group or individual exercise in the weekly schedule can contribute to improving the health of the elderly.

Abstract Background and purpose: In current study, impact of Yalom group therapy on cognitive confusion in elderly athletes was investigated.
 Materials and methods: The statistical population of this research was the elderly athletes of Lorestan province, whose scores in the cognitive confusion test were one SD higher than the mean. From this population, 40 people were selected by random sampling and assigned to two experimental and control groups. The Mason's cognitive disturbance scale (2001) was used. The research design was of a quasi-experimental type with pre-test, post-test, follow-up with the control group, After random selection, the experimental group received therapeutic intervention (Yalom therapeutic group) for 10 sessions of 90 minutes and once a week, one day after the pre-test. One day after the end of the intervention, a post-test was performed for both groups, and a month after the post-test, a follow-up test was performed. In order to analyze the data, multivariate analysis of covariance, repeated measures analysis of variance and Independent sample t test were used. (p≤0.05).
Results: The results showed that there is a significant difference in the mean scores of the experimental and control groups, and the Yalom group treatment has reduced the cognitive confusion of the experimental group compared to the control group (p<0.05) and this benefit continued in the follow-up.
Conclusion: Based on the findings, Yalom group therapy is an effective treatment for cognitive confusion in elderly athletes and can be used as a treatment method in these individuals.

Abstract Aging is associated with the onset of respiratory symptoms and problems and a negative impact on pulmonary indices. Physical activity is considered as a treatment and prevention line for improving respiratory function and muscle strength involved in breathing. It seems that no study has been done on the effect of yoga breathing exercises (pranayama) on pulmonary function indices in elderly men. Objective: Considering the role of physical activity in improving lung function, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of 8 weeks of pranayama on pulmonary function in elderly men. Materials and Methods: In this study, 24 elderly men with an age of 60-70 years were selected by purposive sampling method and divided into two groups of control and breathing exercise (N=12). The exercise program included 8 weeks of pranayama with 3 sessions per week. The pulmonary function test included lung volumes, which were evaluated before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance method using SPSS21 at a significance level of P ≥ 0.05. Results: The results showed that 8 weeks of pranayama significantly increased (P = 0.001) FVC and (P = 0.001) FEV1 in the post-test of the experimental group. Also, FEV1/FVC increased in the post-test of the experimental group but was not significant (P = 0.878). In addition, no significant change was observed in the measured variables of the control group compared to the pre-test. Conclusion: pranayama, by strengthening the respiratory muscles, can probably improve lung function in elderly men.

Abstract Background and purpose: Sports and physical activity, as important factors in the leisure time of retired people, play a crucial role in maintaining their physical and mental health, which, as a result, can lead to improved working conditions. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of leisure time, with an emphasis on physical activity, on job burnout and intention to leave among retired professors who have returned to work at universities in the central province.
Materials and methods: This research is practical in terms of its purpose and causal in terms of its nature and method. The statistical population of this research consists of 320 people, and the sample size, according to Cochran's formula, is 174 retired professors who were invited to work in the universities of the Central Province. The survey method and questionnaire tool have been used to collect research data. The Godin and Shephard questionnaire for leisure time physical activity, the Rais and Xantanpoulos questionnaire for job burnout, and the Sishore questionnaire for intention to leave the job were used. he validity of these questionnaires was approved by university professors. The reliability of the questionnaires was also confirmed, as the Cronbach's alpha value for each variable was above 0.7.
Results: The research findings indicate that leisure time physical activity has a negative effect on job burnout. job burnout has a positive effect on the intention to leave the job and leisure time physical activity has a negative effect on the intention to leave the job through job burnout.
Conclusion: Universities should establish a program to reduce age-related burnout by encouraging retired professors to participate in leisure activities, physical activities, and sports. This will make them less likely to consider leaving their jobs and universities, which will allow these experienced professors to continue contributing to the advancement of science and the education of students.