In this research the effects of consuming caffeine gum during a simulated fencing competition in two parts of periodic and eliminating matches were examined. Fourteen epee weapon male fencers mean age 21.35 ± 2.02 years, the average height 178.05 ± 4.96 centimeters, and mean weight 77.47 ± 7.16 kg completed this double-blind, randomized, counterbalanced study. Fencers divided into placebo group (n=7) (PLC) and caffeine group (n=7) (CAF). Before simulated periodic and before eliminating fencing competitions, players chewed either CAF (400 mg) gum or PLC gum for 5 minutes. Salivary testosterone and cortisol concentrations, and performance (repetitious running test) were measured at baseline, pre-periodic competition, post-periodic competition, pre-eliminated competition, and post-eliminated competition. Caffeine consumption between periodic and elimination competitions had no effect on sprint performance (p=0.995). Sprint time increased after the first attempt in both tests (p=0.003). The first sprint was 3% slower than the initial speed (p=0.004). intake caffeine between periodic and elimination matches influenced salivary testosterone responses (p=0.021, partial-eta2 = 0.471), about 70 percent more in caffeine group vs. placebo group. No further between-trial effects were observed. also, salivary testosterone increased throughout fencing competition (p= 0.001, partial-eta2 = 0.538), about 38% more than baseline values. No differences were observed between baseline and pre-periodic phase (p =0.769). Fencing competitions affected the concentration of salivary cortisol (p=0.032) showing a significant increase from the baseline level before the second survey (p=0.020) and after the second survey (p=0.023). Caffeine consumption between the two halves had no significant effect on salivary cortisol concentration (p=0.098). Athletes and coaches can choose caffeine gum between competition or practice bouts because of the increases in salivary testosterone observed; we must notice that many factors such as caffeine doses and psychological propellant associated with increased motivation and high-intensity exercise performance. Manuscript profile

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common neurological, progressive and debilitating disease in young adults. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 8-week aerobic training with restricted blood flow on static balance, thigh strength, and thigh hypertrophy in females with MS. Methods: 19 females with MS disease (age= 56.11±7.43 years and BMI= 22.78±1.78 kg.m-2) were selected and divided randomly into four groups: aerobic training (A), blood flow restriction (BFR), combination aerobic training and blood flow restriction (COM), and control group (C). Before and after 8 weeks of aerobic training (45 min aerobic training with 50- 60% HRmax) and restricted blood flow; the balance, thigh strength and hypertrophy were measured. Paired sample t-test, two-way repeated measure ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test were used to analyze statistical data (p≤0.05). Results: The results showed significant difference between groups in balance (p= 0.02), thigh strength (p= 0.001), and hypertrophy (p= 0.04). Post hoc test showed a significant difference between the COM and C groups (p = 0.003) and COM and BFR groups (p = 0.03); but the COM group didn’t have better balance scores than the A (p=0.37) and BFR (p=0.15) groups. Also in thigh strength there was a significant difference between the COM and A group (p = 0.008) and between the COM and C group (p = 0.001); but the COM group didn’t have better thigh strength than BFR (p=0.08) group. Also there was a significant difference between COM and C group in hypertrophy (p = 0.02). Conclusion: According to the results aerobic training with blood flow restriction leads to increased balance, strength and thigh hypertrophy in MS patients so this approach can be taken instead of traditional aerobic training to decrease disability in MS patients. Manuscript profile

Introduction: Assessing muscle damage may help to improve the performance of athletes during the tournament. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a fencing tournament on muscle damage markers in fencer females. Methods: In a semi-experimental research 20 fencer women with mean age 21.59 ± 4.03 years, BMI 20.79 ± 3.13 kg.m-2 and VO2max 41.01 ± 4.98 ml.kg-1.min-1 were selected purposefully and randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group competed fencing in a periodically and single-off form. Blood samples were drawn before, immediately after, 24 and 48 hours after the tournament. Statistical analysis of repeated measures and independent t-test were used at P≤ 0.05. Results: The results showed that the differences in CK levels were significant before and immediately after, before and 24 hours after, before and 48 hours later, immediately after and 24 hours later, 24 hours and 48 hours after the tournament (p<0.05). Meanwhile, the differences between CK levels immediately after and 48 hours after the tournament were not significant (p>0.05). Differences in the levels of LDH before and immediately after, immediately after and 24 hours later and immediately after and 48 hours after the tournament were significant (p<0.05), but before, 24 hours and 48 hours after the tournament and 24 hours later and 48 hours after it (p> 0.05) were not significant. Conclusion: In professional fencers, a tournament could lead to muscle injury. This can be useful for fencers and coaches to examine the intensity of the exercises and adaptability of involved muscles. Manuscript profile

Introduction: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been recently very common; however, there is no definitive treatment for it. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of nonlinear resistance training with curcumin supplement on liver enzymes in men with non- alcoholic fatty liver disease. Methods: Forty-eight men with obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (mean age: 38.24 ± 6.59 years and BMI: 29.27 ± 4.43 kg.m-2) were selected and randomly divided into 4 groups including resistance training (RT), resistance training with curcumin supplement (RTCS), curcumin supplement (CS) and placebo (P). Before and after the protocol blood samples were taken to investigate the alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), paired sample t- test and Tukey post hoc test were used to analyze the data (p<0.05). Results: The results indicated significant difference between groups in ALT (p=0.0001) and AST (p=0.0001) levels following 12 weeks of exercise and supplement interventions. Post-hoc multiple comparison of ALT and AST was significant between RT and RTCS groups with CS and P groups (p=0.0001). ALP levels was not significantly different between groups (p=0.05). Conclusion: It seems that nonlinear resistance training with curcumin supplement improves the liver enzymes in men with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Manuscript profile

Introduction: Football match is an interval sport, with intense explosive attempts. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a bout of high- intensity interval exercise on muscle injury markers in male soccer players. Methods: Nineteen male soccer players with mean age: years; BMI: 21.80±2.44 kg.m-2 and VO2max 62.16±4.89 ml.kg-1.min-1 were selected purposefully and divided randomly into experimental and control groups. Copenhagen football test was taken from experimental group and control group had no activity at that time. 24 hours before and after the test, blood samples were drawn from all subjects to assay creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. Data were analyzed using independent sample and paired sample t-tests (p≤0.05). Results: The results showed that serum CK (p=0.001) and LDH (p=0.021) levels increased significantly after the Copenhagen football protocol. Conclusion: intense interval sports activities, such as what happens in a football match, result in muscle damage in the players. Therefore, such exercises can be used for football players adaptation for the tournament and reduce the recovery time after that. Observing the increased markers of muscular damage due to Copenhagen soccer protocol, indicates that intensive interval exercise like whatever occurs in a soccer match, may lead to muscular damages in players. Manuscript profile