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Background and purpose: Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death in the world, including Iran. Cardiac rehabilitation is associated with improving patients' performance and reducing mortality from all causes of death. This study aimed to investigate the changes in exercise capacity and hemodynamic factors following cardiac rehabilitation in patients referred to the cardiac rehabilitation department of Mazandaran Heart Center. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out by examining the medical records of 262 patients referred between February 2018 to February 2020. Each of the three groups of patients with coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, and chronic heart failure were separately examined in terms of values before and after cardiac rehabilitation related to systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and resting heart rate (HR). Data were analyzed with SPSS-22, STAT-15 software. Results: In each of the three mentioned groups of cardiac patients, the mean SBP, DBP, and MAP variables had a significant decrease (P0.2). Conclusion: Cardiac rehabilitation may improve exercise capacity and hemodynamic factors, including SBP, DBP, and MAP in patients with various heart diseases and is recommended as a class І suggestion in eligible patients.

Background and purpose: Almost half of non-specific knee pain can be attributed to patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). There is paucity of information about the effects of different types of combination therapies including exercise and taping and optimizing training variables. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of combination of taping and quadriceps strengthening and hamstring stretching exercises on PFPS. Materials and methods: In a randomized clinical trial, 60 male patients (20-50 years old) with PFPS were randomly divided into four groups: 1) Quadriceps strengthening exercise and taping, 2) Hamstring stretching exercise and taping, 3) Quadriceps strengthening and hamstring stretching exercise, and 4) Quadriceps strengthening, hamstring stretching exercise, and taping. Pain and functional outcomes were assessed before and immediately after treatment using VAS scale, KOOS scale, and 6 MWT test. Data were analyzed in SPSS V20. Results: Compared to beginning of the study, significant decrease in mean VAS scores (P

Background and purpose: Association between vitamin D and anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACLI) in male athletes is poorly understood, and current data are not sufficient and consistent. The present study investigated the association between vitamin D and ACLI in some Iranian male athletes. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in 100 male athletes with knee pain attending Sari Imam Khomeini Hospital, Iran 2016. They were evaluated into two groups: male athletes with ACL injury (AI group; n=50) and without ACL injury (WAI group; n=50). ACL injury was verified according to physical examination and MRI findings. Data, including the age, serum 25 (OH) D concentrations, body mass index (BMI), and previous history of exercise were recorded and analyzed in SPSS V20. Results: The mean age of participants and their serum 25 (OH) D levels were 28±6 years and 25.07±1.02 ng/dl, respectively. There were no significant differences between the two groups in mean age, BMI, and previous history of exercise (P> 0.05). The mean serum 25 (OH) D levels were found to be significantly lower in AI group than those in WAI group (P< 0.001). Conclusion: The current study showed that lower serum concentrations of 25 (OH) D are associated with the risk of ACLI in male athletes.