[Purpose]Studies of L-carnitine in healthy athletic populations have yielded equivocal results. Further scientific-based knowledge is needed to clarify the ability of L-carnitine to improve exercise capacity and expedite the recovery process by reducing oxidative stress. This study aimed to examine the 9-week effects of L-carnitine supplementation on exercise performance, anaerobic capacity, and exercise-induced oxidative stress markers in resistance-trained males.[Methods]In a double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled treatment, 23 men (age, 25±2y; weight, 81.2±8.31 kg; body fat, 17.1±5.9%) ingested either a placebo (2 g/d, n=11) or L-carnitine (2 g/d, n=12) for 9 weeks in conjunction with resistance training. Primary outcome measurements were analyzed at baseline and at weeks 3, 6, and 9. Participants underwent a similar resistance training (4 d/w, upper/lower body split) for a 9-week period. Two-way ANOVA with repeated measures was used for statistical analysis.[Results]There were significant increases in bench press lifting volume at wk-6 (146 kg, 95% CI 21.1, 272) and wk-9 (245 kg, 95% CI 127, 362) with L-carnitine. A similar trend was observed for leg press. In the L-carnitine group, at wk-9, there were significant increases in mean power (63.4 W, 95% CI 32.0, 94.8) and peak power (239 W, 95% CI 86.6, 392), reduction in post-exercise blood lactate levels (-1.60 mmol/L, 95% CI -2.44, -0.75) and beneficial changes in total antioxidant capacity (0.18 mmol/L, 95% CI 0.07, 0.28).[Conclusion]L-carnitine supplementation enhances exercise performance while attenuating blood lactate and oxidative stress responses to resistance training.

Background: Physical activity and cardiovascular fitness are important indicators of cardiovascular risk and health status. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the relationship between body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness in students at postgraduate level. Methods: This cross-sectional study. In the 2014 -2015 academic year, all first-year university students from a postgraduate Tarbiat Modares level university were invited to take part in the present study. Three hundred volunteer students aged 22 to 36 years were selected. Body mass, body fat percent, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) of subjects were measured at a specified time. T-independent test was used to examine the difference between groups. Also, the correlation between variables was examined using Pearson correlation coefficient. All data were analyzed by the SPSS software (Version-19). Results:The results showed the obtained data in male and female students at postgraduate level including VO2max (37.4 and 25.3 ml/kg/min), body mass (74 and 58.4 kg), body fat percent (18.9 and 21.7 %), BMI (23.7 and 22.4 kg/m 2 ) and WHR (0.83 and 0.73). An

Background & objective: Depression associate with increase severity of illness, length of hospitalization and mortality in heart failure patient's .The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and related factors of depression in male systolic heart failure patients. Materials & Methods: This is a cross sectional study that was conducted on 100 male patients with systolic heart failure in Alborz of Karaj and Shahriar Social Security Hospitals in 2010. Sampling method in this study was Convenience sampling. Data collected by demographic data form, MLHFQ (Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire), (CES-D) Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale .Data was analyzed by SPSS software version 18 and using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA and coefficient Pearson correlation. Results: The findings indicated that mean score of depression was 20.3±12 .47% had severe and 16% had mild to moderate depression. Depression significant associated with age(p=0.002), education(p<0.001), economic status(p=0.002), smoking(p=0.034), hemoglobin level(p=0.004), left ventricular ejection fraction(p=0.012), use of digoxin(p=0.019), angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)(p=0.005), aldacton (p=0.005)and quality of life(p<0.001). Conclusion: Depression was common among men with systolic heart failure and had negative impact on quality of life. Nurses by screening and assessment symptoms of depression and refer patients for counseling and treatment can help to improve quality of life in heart failure patient.

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Background:The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a tapering period with creatine supplementation on hormonal responses of men football players. Materials and Methods:The study sample included 18 male soccer players of the first division league (mean age: 18.77 ± 1.26 years, height: 174.5± 5.77 cm, and weight: 64.07± 6.99 kg) that were in the specific conditioning period who were randomly divided into two equal groups: Taper alone (n=9) and Taper with creatine supplementation (n=9). The levels of blood hormonal parameters including testosterone, cortisol and testosterone to cortisol ratio (T/C) were measured before and after the tapering period (10 days). Paired t-test and independent T-test was used to examine the differences within and between groups, respectively. Results:The results showed that the cortisol levels in the post-test compared to the pre-test decreased significantly in both groups (p≤0.05) ; While, there was no significant difference in testosterone and T/C (p≥0.05). Also, no significant difference was observed in the levels of testosterone, cortisol and T/C between the two groups. Conclusion:The taper period can reduce the cortisol levels of male soccer players, but creatine consumption has no significant effect on the levels of cortisol, testosterone and T/C ratio in the taper period.