Background: LDL oxidation plays a significant role in atherosclerosis process. Change in LDL type, occurring with physical activity, and the resulting decrease in LDL sensitivity to the oxidative rocess can protect the subject against atherosclerosis. This study has compared LDL sensitivity to oxidation in ATHLETES and non ATHLETES. Methods: 14 male ATHLETES (aged 48±2) and 14 male non ATHLETES (aged 44±4) were recruited. 10 ml venous fasting blood was obtained from each subject. According to the PURL guidelines, LDL sensitivity to oxidation was evaluated using conjugated diene method. Cholesterol and triglyceride were measured by enzymatic immunoassay. HDL-c was measured by precipitation method. LDL was calculated by Fried-Wald formula. Results: LDLs from ATHLETES' sera were less vulnerable to oxidation than non-ATHLETES' sera. To say, mean lag time in ATHLETES was 60.35±10compared to 56±10 in non ATHLETES. This difference, however, was not statistically significant. A significant difference existed between the two groups with regard to HD L-c level (46.2±8 vs. 38±8.5; P<0. 05). Conclusion: The experimental evidences suggest that oxidation of LDL paves the way to atherosclerosis. There are also reports on the role of physical activities in preventing atherosclerosis development. However, other factors, such as serum concentration of vitamin E, composition of LDLs, can influence the atherosclerosis process and their roles should not be neglected.      

Introduction: Luteal phase defect (LPD) is a hormonal disorder of reproductive system, and an abnormal ovarian function. It is presented by recurrent abortion and infertility. Stressful environmental factors such as stressful job situations and moderate or severe exercise are associated with luteal phase defect. This study was performed to evaluate the relation between luteal phase defect and endurance exercise in runner women. Material & Methods: Statistical population included 150 non-athletic and athletic runners women aged between 20-30 years with regular menstrual cycle without lactation who had not taken hormonal tablets recently. By checking luteinizing hormone level and serial sonography ovulation time was detected. 15 runners who obtained excellent grade in Bruce test were selected as study group and compared with 15 height, weight and age-matched non athletic women. Serum progesterone was checked at the 21st day of cycle by Elisa test and those with serum progesterone less than 10ngr/ml considered as LPD. Result: The result of this study showed significant association between LPD and running. Serum progesterone levels were decreased by exercise. Conclusion: Regarding the result of this study moderate to severe exercise are responsible for increasing the incidence of LPD in athletic women.

Introduction: Luteal phase defect (LPD) is a hormonal disorder of reproductive system, and an abnormal ovarian function. It is presented by recurrent abortion and infertility. Stressful environmental factors such as stressful job situations and moderate or severe exercise are associated with luteal phase defect. This study was performed to evaluate the relation between luteal phase defect and endurance exercise in runner women. Material & Methods: Statistical population included 150 non-athletic and athletic runners women aged between 20-30 years with regular menstrual cycle without lactation who had not taken hormonal tablets recently. By checking luteinizing hormone level and serial sonography ovulation time was detected. 15 runners who obtained excellent grade in Bruce test were selected as study group and compared with 15 height, weight and age-matched non athletic women. Serum progesterone was checked at the 21st day of cycle by Elisa test and those with serum progesterone less than 10ngr/ml considered as LPD. Result: The result of this study showed significant association between LPD and running. Serum progesterone levels were decreased by exercise. Conclusion: Regarding the result of this study moderate to severe exercise are responsible for increasing the incidence of LPD in athletic women.

Objective: The aim of this research was to compare the body image between disabled ATHLETES with disabled and non-disabled non- ATHLETES. Materials & Methods: In this cross sectional and comparative study, fifty disabled ATHLETES from the handicapped sports club, fifty disabled non ATHLETES from Kahrizak disabled rest house and fifty non athlete healthy persons from governmental administrations were selected randomly by classified clustered method and their body image were compared. Data collection tools included a personal information questionnaire and a physical self description questionnaire (PSDQ) which included 11 sub-scales such as power, endurance, coordination, general health, flexibility, self-esteem, athletic competence, fat, body appearance, body activity and the global physical. The statistical procedures used in this study comprised one way ANOVA and the Newman-keuls test. Results: Body image of disabled ATHLETES in the sub-scales of power, endurance, coordination, flexibility, self-esteem, athletic competence, body activity were higher than disabled and non-disabled individuals who were not ATHLETES (P£0.001). In addition the sub-scales of the body fat (P=0.012), body appearance (P=0.002) and general health (P=0.001), the results showed that a higher significance for the disabled ATHLETES, however, there wasn’t significant difference for the non-disabled ATHLETES. Conclusion: Thus the result showed that the attitude of the disabled and non-disabled individual in due to their continuous physical activity in that the disabled ATHLETES have got better body images as compared to the disabled and non-disabled individual who have not physical activity.

The ability of an athlete to return to sporting activities after an anterior cruciate ligament injury is a major point of concern. The question about how long and at what capacity he or she will remain an athlete is difficult to answer. The general answer is that many different factors play role in this matter including: Whether the injury is an isolated tear or is associated with meniscus tear, cartilage defect or antero-lateral instability; what type of sporting activity is considered; what degree of instability is felt by the athlete; what the patient's age is; and what degree of motor loss (especially extension) is present. While the above factors determine the patient's return to sports, they may also contribute to later degenerative process in the knee. In this review, an attempt is made to answer some of the above questions.

Use of substances to enhance performance seems to be as old as competitive sports itself.There is no consensus regarding a comprehensive and universally accepted definition of doping between sports audience and authorities and it has been defined through a variety of viewpoints. Drugs frequently misused in Iran include anabolic steroids, growth hormone and diuretics; these may be associated with several and sometimes lethal consequences. Convincing data on the prevalence of drug misuse in elite sports are difficult to obtain because the ATHLETES involved in the practice will normally deny their illegal activities. However, the existing evidence indicates that the use of performance enhancing drugs in elite-level sport is now widespread. Unfortunately, doping is increasingly growing in our country. Some studies regarding the point and lifetime prevalence of steroid misuse in Iran have estimated them in the ranges of 10.7-59% and 26-100%, respectively. There are special dilemmas regarding doping in Iran: ATHLETES usually have no access to expert consultants and frequently get their information from coaches and traders who are not often very well informed. Also, the rate of drug misuse among amateur ATHLETES is high. Furthermore, ATHLETES commonly use drugs which are inappropriate for their sport discipline or may result in various side effects. Inaccessibility of standard supplements is another problem. Three main measures used to combat doping include in-competition drug testing, out-of- competition testing and education of target groups. It seems that education is one of the most efficient and cost effective anti-doping activities.