Motor Development and Learning
seyedehakhtar hesari; hamid reza tahery torbaty; Alireza Sabery Kakhki
Abstract
Introduction: Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the effect of a course of targeted exercises based on a difficulty index on the balance of the elderly.
Methods: In this semi-experimental study, which was conducted with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group, 75 elderly ...
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Introduction: Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the effect of a course of targeted exercises based on a difficulty index on the balance of the elderly.
Methods: In this semi-experimental study, which was conducted with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group, 75 elderly women in Mashhad, aged 65 to 75 years, were selected through voluntary participation and placed in five groups: standard-target distance, standard-variable distance, standard-target distance, variable-target distance, variable-target distance, and control. In the pre-test phase, participants stood on the Biodex balance board. The intervention phase was conducted for six weeks, with three sessions per week, in which participants performed 10 blocks of 10 attempts with two minutes of rest between blocks according to the available instructions. After completing the training phase, the post-test phase was conducted in which participants stood on the Biodex balance board as in the pre-test phase. The data were analyzed using univariate analysis of covariance.
Results: The results indicated that the standard-target-standard distance, standard-target-variable distance, variable-target-standard distance, and variable-target-variable distance interventions had a significant effect on improving the balance of elderly women (P<0.05). Other results also indicated the superiority of the standard-target-standard distance effect compared to the effect of other interventions in improving the balance of elderly women (P>0.05).
Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, it was determined that equilibrium would be facilitated by keeping the difficulty index constant, as this occurred in the test results of the group with the same difficulty index.
Motor Development and Learning
leila ghandehari alavijeh; hamidreza taheri torbati; alireza saberi kakhki
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of a selected virtual reality exercise program emphasizing environmental enrichment on continuous performance and brain waves in patients with Parkinson’s disease. This was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test/post-test with a control group. The sample consisted ...
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This study investigated the effects of a selected virtual reality exercise program emphasizing environmental enrichment on continuous performance and brain waves in patients with Parkinson’s disease. This was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test/post-test with a control group. The sample consisted of 30 patients with moderate Parkinson's disease (aged 55-65) referred to outpatient rehabilitation centers in Tehran. Participants were randomly assigned to three ten-person groups (control, traditional exercise, virtual reality exercise). The tools used included virtual reality equipment, EEG for recording brain waves (delta, theta, alpha, beta, sensorimotor rhythm), and the Vienna Test System for assessing continuous performance. The training protocol consisted of 1-hour sessions over three weeks (twice weekly). The control group received no exercise, the traditional exercise group performed physical exercises, and the virtual reality group performed game-based exercises. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) showed significant differences between the three groups in continuous performance variables (omission errors and commission errors) and brain waves (p<0.05). Post hoc Bonferroni tests confirmed significant differences between the groups. Both the traditional and virtual reality training groups demonstrated significant differences in continuous performance and brainwave changes compared to the control group. Therefore, it can be concluded that both virtual reality and traditional exercises significantly improve continuous performance and brain waves in Parkinson's disease patients. Based on these findings, it is recommended that virtual reality technology be used as a novel and effective tool in designing rehabilitation programs for Parkinson's disease patients.
Narges Abdoli; Aireza Saberi Kakhki; Hamid Reza Taheri Torbati; Majid Ghoshuni
Abstract
Introduction: Previous studies have reported inconsistencies regarding changes in brain waves during the learning process. Since the underlying cognitive-motor and neural-motor mechanisms of skill performance require further investigation, the present study aimed to compare Mu rhythm power in expert ...
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Introduction: Previous studies have reported inconsistencies regarding changes in brain waves during the learning process. Since the underlying cognitive-motor and neural-motor mechanisms of skill performance require further investigation, the present study aimed to compare Mu rhythm power in expert and novice golfers.Methods: This study included 15 novice university students with no prior golf experience in the novice group and 15 experienced golfers in the expert group. Participants' brain waves were recorded during 20 practice trials of the golf putting skill. Data were processed using Independent Component Analysis (ICA). A one-way multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) with a 2×3 design (group × area) was employed for data analysis.Results: The MANOVA results revealed a significant difference in Mu rhythm power (8–13 Hz) across three central brain areas (C3, Cz, C4) between novice and expert golfers (P≤0.05). Specifically, the expert group exhibited higher mean Mu rhythm power than the novice group.Conclusion: The findings suggest that brain function in expert and novice golfers differs in the sensory and motor cortices. Functional changes in the brain during the learning of the golf putting skill may underlie the superior motor control and performance observed in experts. These results emphasize the importance of understanding learning processes to enhance daily motor control and specialized skill performance. The study contributes to the understanding of neurocognitive and neural-motor mechanisms of skill performance, offering insights for professionals in motor skill training and rehabilitation.
