---

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the response of ERK1/2 protein and muscular morphological adaptations to a period of resistance training with local blood flow restriction.
Materials and methods: Twenty healthy male Wistar rats without clinically evident disease (5 weeks old, 120±7 g weight) were divided into four equal groups: control, control with limited blood flow, resistance training and, resistance training with limited blood flow. The resistance group practiced squats for eight weeks with a frequency of three sessions per week. Blood flow restriction was performed using a cuff with a width of 16 mm and a length of 90 mm. For Immunohistochemical test of ERK1/2 and histological studies, the left quadriceps muscle of the left leg was removed. Data analysis was performed by one-way analysis of variance at a level of α≤0.05.
Results: In the resistance training group, the ERK1/2 expression in the quadriceps muscle increased, while decreased in the groups with limited blood flow  (p<0.05). In both groups of the resistance training (with and without blood flow restriction), quadriceps muscle diameter increased (p<0.05). Also, the number of muscle fibers increased significantly (p<0.05).
Conclusion: resistance training seems to induce ERK1/2, which is consistent with increased skeletal muscle growth. Resistance exercises with limited blood flow may result in more muscle hypertrophy. However, such effects of the interaction between resistance training and blood flow restriction on the expression of ERK1/2 was not observed.

---

Background and aims: Mothers of children with autism have lower levels of psychological well-being than other mothers. The purpose of this study was to determine effectiveness of self-compassion education on psychological well-being and resilience in mothers of children with autism.
Methods: This research employed a semi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test and control group. Totally, 64 mothers of children with autism were selected by available sampling method, and randomly divided into experimental (n=32) and control (n=32) groups. The experimental group underwent 10 sessions of 90 minutes of self-care education, but the control group remained on the waiting list. To collect data Early Screening of Autistic Traits Questionnaire (ESAT), Ryff's Scales of Psychological Well-being (SPWB), and Connor‐Davidson resilience scale (CD‐RISC). Data analysis was performed using multivariable analyze of covariance.
Results: The results showed that the self-compassion education used in this study could improve all six areas of SPWB including environmental mastery (p<0.001; F=117.914), self-acceptance (p<0.001; F=34.940), positive relations with others (p<0.001; F=42.355), purpose in life (p<0.001; F=61.213), personal growth (p<0.001; F=9.111) and autonomy (p<0.001; F=8.254), as well as all five factors of CD‐RISC including personal competence (p<0.001; F=24.883), tolerance of negative affect (p<0.001; F=47.487), positive acceptance of change (p<0.001; F=22.419), control (p<0.001; F=16.979) and spiritual influences (p<0.001; F=104.49) of mothers.
Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, the self-compassion education is an effective intervention in improving psychological well-being and resilience of mothers of children with autism.
 

---

Background and aims: Previous research has shown that one of the factors associated with type II diabetes and insulin resistance is impaired iron metabolism; also, one of the elemental keys in type II diabetes is regular exercise. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of moderate intensity body pump training on iron-related indices in women with type II diabetes.
Methods: In the present quasi-experimental study, 20 women with type II diabetes were randomly selected and divided into two groups of training and control. Exercises were performed for 12 weeks, three training sessions per week and each training session included 40-80 minutes of body Pump training with an intensity of 55-60% of heart rate reserve. Fasting blood sampling was performed 48 hours before and after the intervention period. For statistical analysis, dependent and independent t-tests were used at a significance level of p≤0.05.
Results: The results showed that body pump training significantly reduced glycosylated hemoglobin (p=0.014), insulin resistance (p<0.001), red blood cell count (p=0.020), and serum iron (p=0.017) compared to the control group.
Conclusion: Body pump exercises may control blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes by modulating iron stores.
 

---

Background and aims: The aging process leads to changes in motor performance, including decreased balance and weakened muscular strength, increasing the risk of falls. This study aimed to investigate the immediate impact of proprioceptive exercises on balance, proprioception, and muscle strength in elderly individuals and adults.
Methods: In a semi-experimental, 20 adults and 20 elderly individuals (with average ages of 27.20 and 65.73 years) were randomly selected. Balance was assessed using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, while proprioception was measured with a digital camera and AutoCAD software. Isometric muscle strength of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles was evaluated with a hand-held dynamometer. Assessments were conducted before, immediately after, and one hour post exercises. Data analysis was performed using a mixed model for repeated measures design.
Results: Significant improvements were showed in proprioception, with both adult and elderly groups experiencing enhancements of 32.21% and 30.54%, respectively (p<0.05). The TUG test revealed a significant difference between the two groups, with the adults and elderly showing improvements of 7.77% and 2.02%, respectively, compared to their pre-exercise performance (p<0.05). Additionally, there was a significant variation in isometric strength of the hamstring and quadriceps muscles between the groups (p<0.05). Following the exercises, quadriceps muscle strength improved by 9.88% and 4.30% in the adults and elderly groups, respectively (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The immediate benefits of proprioceptive exercises can be harnessed by healthcare professionals and community members to enhance the motor functions of both elderly individuals and adults.
 

---

Background and aims: Exercise activities can help to reduce and control  apoptosis-related damage in patients with diabetes. This research aimed to review studies investigating the effects of exercise on apoptosis in diabetic patients.
Methods: We conducted a search for studies examining the response of apoptosis signaling pathways to aerobic, resistance, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) exercise in diabetic patients. This was accomplished using scientific national and international databases focusing on keywords such as "The role of apoptosis in diabetes," "Intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of apoptosis," "aerobic exercise and apoptosis," and "resistance and high-intensity interval training in diabetic patients."
Results: Our review covered three articles related to the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis, three on the extrinsic pathway, and five addressing apoptosis specifically in diabetic patients. We identified six articles discussing the effects of aerobic exercise on apoptosis signaling pathways, one article on resistance exercises, and five on the implications of HIIT on apoptosis across various types of diabetes. The findings suggest that aerobic, resistance, and HIIT exercise interventions increase Bcl-2 expression while decreasing the expression of Bax, Bcl-xL, p53 protein, and caspase-3, ultimately delaying the process of apoptosis in diabetic patients.
Conclusion: Regular participation in aerobic, resistance, and HIIT activities appears to have beneficial effects on anti-apoptotic biomarkers in diabetic patients, thereby controlling apoptosis. Consequently, a combination of HIIT and aerobic exercises is recommended as an effective non-pharmacological strategy to manage apoptosis in patients with diabetes.