History and Objectives: The ultimate objective of rehabilitation in sport injury is the rapid and safe return of the individual to his pre-injury status. If the therapeutic plan is oriented only to increase strength, tolerance, and range of motion, and such factors as balance, agility, deep sensation, and neuromuscular coordination are not stressed, the risk of repeated injury will increase. In this study the effect of walking and RUNNING as the main function of lower limbs are considered. Materials and methods: This study has been carried out as a clinical trial using six functional performance tests of single leg hop distance test, vertical jump, anaerobic power test, modified Romberg test, shuttle run, and single leg hop for time before and after exercise in two groups of 15 healthy girls matched for age. All the girls had three sessions of 15 minutes RUNNING FORWARD and backward each week for six consecutive weeks. At the end of each week, some of the tests were performed and finally after eight weeks, all the tests were repeated again. Results: In the group walking or RUNNING FORWARD, vertical test revealed 0.46% (p>0.003), single leg hop for time 10.52% (p>0.005), vertical jump 9.95% (p>0.005), anaerobic power 4.58% (p > 0.005), modified Romberg test 59.26% (p>0.003), and shuttle run test 2.19% (p>0.001). improvement, and for those with backward walking or RUNNING, single leg hop distance test revealed 4.5% (p>0.003), single leg hop for time 23.89% (p<0.005), vertical jump 2.98% (p>0.005), Anaerobic power test 0.53% (p>0.005), modified Romberg test 68.33% (p>0.003), and shuttle run test 6.88% (p<0.001) improvement. Conclusions: In rehabilitation planning, when improvement of strength, velocity, agility, static balance, and aerobic power is considered, walking and RUNNING backwards, and when increase in vertical jump, or aerobic power is the aim, walking and RUNNING FORWARD is recommended.    

Background and Aim: One of the most useful therapeutic methods as a rehabilitation supportive technique is the use of backward RUNNING in patients with motional restrictions (especially in patients with anterior cruciate damage).As cardio-pulmonary Function is affected during physical activities. This project was conducted to evaluate the effects of backward RUNNING in comparison FORWARD and backward RUNNING in a comparison FORWARD method by indirect measurements.Materials and Methods: The method used was known Bruce protocol which able to evaluate the variables  indirectly,  the cases included 20 healthy young males that were selected randomly; They had to do FORWARD and backward RUNNING in weekly intervals assess variable (cardio pulmonary responses) FORWARD and backward RUNNING and results comparisoned.Results: All the variable rates were increased associated with both RUNNING methods that were higher in FORWARD RUNNING in comparisons with backward RUNNING method (P=0.0001). Conclusion: As backward RUNNING method transmitted force pattelo-femoral joint (knee) is lower then FORWARD RUNNING could be applicable in-patient with knee surgery or anterior knee pain for maintaining of cardio-pulmonary health.

Purpose: FORWARD head posture is one of the most prevalent poor postures that cause neck injuries. The objective of this study was to investigate the electrical activity of selected muscles during RUNNING in an able-bodied control group and in boys with FORWARD head posture. Methods: Twenty eight boys were volunteered to participate in this study. The subjects divided into a healthy control group (n=16) and a group of boys with FORWARD head posture (n=12). A portable EMG system was used to record the electrical activity of the bilateral seratus anterior, erector spinae (cervical part), sternocleidomastoid, and upper and lower trapezius muscles during barefoot RUNNING. For EMG analysis, the average root mean square (RMS) values of the three trials were calculated and then normalized based on the peak RMS obtained by the maximum isometric voluntary contraction. Independent sample t-test was used for between group comparisons. The significance level was set at p<0. 05 for all analyses. Results: The findings indicated that RUNNING speed in boys with FORWARD head (2. 70± 0. 09 m/s) was smaller than that in control group (2. 91± 0. 14 m/s) (p<0. 001). The activity level of all selected muscles were not statistically different between both groups (p>0. 05). However, asymmetry index of electrical activity of sternocleidomastoid muscle in control group was greater than that in FORWARD head posture group by 8. 3± 1. 5% (p=0. 045). Conclusion: In boys with FORWARD head posture the RUNNING speed was reduced and the muscle activity was similar with respect to those in control group. This altered RUNNING speed and muscle activity is suggestive of a lower mechanical efficiency of RUNNING in boys with FORWARD head posture that is consistent with literature.

Background and Objectives: RUNNING is a basic pattern of the movement causing improvement of functional disorders of the lower limbs. The aim of this study was to determine the suitable method in RUNNING exercise (FORWARD or backward) for improvement of the lower limb function.Materials and Methods: In this interventional study, 40 healthy female subjects with the range of 18-24 years old were included. They randomely separated into two groups, FORWARD and backward RUNNING groups. The interventional programme included two methods of RUNNING undertaken three days per week for a period of six weeks. Four types of the lower limbs functional tests; Modified Romberg, Vertical Jumping, Single Leg Hop Test for Distance, and Single Leg Hop Test for Time were applied to determine the suitable method of RUNNING. The measurements were carried out as pre- and post- tests. For analysis of data, paired and independent t tests were used.Results: During backward RUNNING, there were statistically significant differences (p<0.05) between pre- and post- tests in all four measurement methods, and it improved the lower limb function. However, these findings were observed only in two methods of measurement during FORWARD RUNNING (p<0.05).Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that the effects of backward RUNNING exercises on lower limb function tests are significantly more effective than FORWARD RUNNING and it may improve dysfunctions of the lower limb.

Background and Aims: FORWARD head posture is one of the most prevalent disorders in the cervical area. The objective of the present study was to investigate ground reaction force components during RUNNING in an able-bodied control group and in children with FORWARD head posture. Materials and Methods: A total of 28 male children including 16 healthy controls and 16 children with FORWARD head posture participated in the current study. Two Kistler force platforms were used to record the ground reaction forces during barefoot RUNNING. Peak ground reaction force components, their time to peak, impulses in all axes, and peak positive and negative free moments were assessed. Independent sample t-test was used for between-group comparisons. The significance level was set at p<0. 05. Results: The findings indicated that RUNNING speed in children with FORWARD head was smaller than that in control group (P<0. 001). Time to peak for vertical (by 11. 2%; medium effect size; P=0. 035) and lateral (by 76. 3%; large effect size; P=0. 009) ground reaction force components in FORWARD head group were greater than those in healthy group. Peak ground reaction force components and peak positive and negative free moment amplitudes were not found to be statistically different between the two groups (P>0. 05). Conclusion: RUNNING speed in children with FORWARD head posture was lower than that in healthy control group, while the peak ground reaction force components were similar to those in control group. This altered RUNNING speed and ground reaction forces are suggestive of a lower mechanical efficiency of RUNNING in children with FORWARD head posture. Children with FORWARD head posture need interventions such as sport exercises to reduce peak ground reaction force components and free moment values during RUNNING.

Background and Objectives Knowledge from various training effect on the proprioception can be useful in the design of training and injury prevention program. The purpose of this study was to compare of immediate and long-term effect of FORWARD and backward RUNNING training on knee joint position sense. Materials and methods 30 male college athletes participated in this study and divided accidentally into two FORWARD and backward RUNNINGgroups. Knee joint position sense was measured by photography and angle analysis using Adobe Acrobat software in both open and closed kinetic chain before, after a session and after four weeks of RUNNING on treadmill. Results The average of absolute repositioning error decreased significantly in the closed kinetic chain immediately after FORWARD RUNNING training (p=0. 035, ES=1. 24) and in this respect, there was a significant difference between the two groups (p=0/047); but, there was no significant difference between the two groups in open kinetic chain (p=0. 592). Also, after four weeks training, average of absolute repositioning error decreases significantly only in the closed kinetic chain and in backward RUNNING subjects (p=0. 025, ES=1. 34); but there was no significant difference between the two groups (p=0/305). Conclusion FORWARD RUNNING training has the positive immediate effect on the knee joint position sense than backward RUNNING, but in the long-term there was no significant difference between the two trainings. However, significant effect of backward RUNNING and very large of effect sizes showed the desirable effectiveness of this training than FORWARD RUNNING.

Background and Aims: RUNNING related injuries have different causes. The objective of the present study was to investigate the frequency spectrum of ground reaction forces during stance phase of RUNNING in children with FORWARD head posture and healthy controls. Materials and Methods: A total of 28 male children were divided into two groups of healthy controls (n=16) and FORWARD head posture (n=12). Two Kistler force platforms (sampling rate: 1000 Hz) were used to record the ground reaction forces during barefoot RUNNING. Independent sample t-test was used for statistical analysis. The significance level was set at 0. 05. Results: Findings indicated that RUNNING speed in children with FORWARD head was lower than that in the control group (P<0. 001). The number of essential harmonics to reach 95% of total energy of the vertical ground reaction force signal in dominant limb in the healthy group was greater than that of FORWARD head group (medium effect size; P=0. 001). The frequency content with 99. 5% power of the number of essential harmonics of free moment in the FORWARD head group was greater than that of the control group (large effect size; P=0. 005). Other components of RUNNING ground reaction force frequency content were not statistically different between the two groups (P> 0. 05). Conclusion: Due to lower walking speed in children with FORWARD head posture, lower frequency content indicated lower center of gravity sway. Also, these lower walking velocity and frequency content demonstrated lower mechanical efficiency in children with FORWARD head posture.

Introduction and purpose: The effects of concurrent training (CT) on physical fitness (CRF) are well known in different populations. However, less is known about the difference between FORWARDing (FW) and backward walking (BW) in part of aerobic training. So, the aim of the present study was the comparison of strength training (ST) with CT (FW vs BW) on body composition and physical fitness of middle age men.Materials and Methods: For this purpose, 48 middle age men were randomly divided into four groups: ST, concurrent training with FORWARDing walking (CFW) concurrent training with backward walking (CBW), and control (Con). The subjects did exercise training for eight weeks, three sessions per week. After the last training session the body composition, upper and lower body strength, agility, balance, and aerobic endurance were assessed.Results: The results showed that there were no significant differences between groups in weight, fat-free mass, and fat mass (P>0.05). Upper and lower body muscle strength, agility and balance, and aerobic endurance were increased in all training groups compared to before and after training with no difference between the groups.Discussion and Conclusion: It can be said that eight weeks of ST and CT (FW vs BW) has a significant and beneficial effect on the functional performance of middle age men, and there is no concern about the interference effects of these exercises. So, because of the effectiveness of BW on other performance parameters and in order to diversify to CT, BW can be used by trainers as a part of aerobic exercises.