Training

Objectives Old age is associated with irregularities in many aspects of body immune system function. During
this period, the immune responses decline with increasing age. In other words, with decreasing number of immune
cells, which are responsible for detecting and direct attack to contaminated cells, the immune response
decreases and results in failure of the immune system. As sports activities could affect the immune system and
old age is associated with progressive immune failure, the study of the effects of exercise on the immune system
function in old age becomes important. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of selected
combined exercises (aerobic and resistance training) on the serum level of cortisol and immunoglobulins in
inactive elderly men.
Methods & Materials In this quasi-experimental study, 24 subjects were selected by convenience sampling
method. Their age and body mass index ranged 60–70 years and 22–25 kg/m2, respectively. Then, they were
randomly assigned into 2 groups (experimental [n=12] and control [n=12]). The experimental group started
the combined training exercise, and the control group continued their inactive usual routines. The combined
training exercise (aerobic-resistance) included running on a treadmill for 20 minutes per session, 3 sessions per
week, for 8 weeks, with an intensity of 60% to 70% HRR. Furthermore, the resistance training comprised 10
circling stationary movements of leg flexion, leg extension, leg press, scott, underarm stretch, chest press, iron
cross with dumbbells, biceps flexion, triceps extension, and rowing motion with rope. This training included an
intensity of 60% to 70% of one maximum repetition with extra load and 10 repetitions in 2 successive times
with 30 seconds rest between each repetition and 2 minutes’ rest between each movement. In this study, the
blood samples were taken 24 hours before the exercise and 24 hours after the last session of the exercise. We
used nephelometer instrument and binding kit site to measure the IgG, IgM, and IgA levels. The cortisol level
was measured by Gamacounter and RIA kit by the immunoradiometric method. To evaluate the consumed
oxygen, we used the protocol on treadmill instrument. In order to compare intra- and inter-group mean variables,
we used analyses of variance for repeated measures. The significant level was set at P<0.05.
Results The results indicated that the combined exercises reduced IgG level (12.75%) in the elderly people
(P=0.04). Although the level of serum IgM was also reduced (15.93%), this decrease was insignificant (P=0.31).
Furthermore, no significant change was seen in the IgA level (P=0.90). The cortisol level was significantly increased
(8.33%) in the experimental group (P=0.001). Based on the results, the mean intergroup changes
in the levels of IgA, IgA, and IgM were not significant (P>0.05). However, a significant difference was seen
between 2 groups with regard to serum cortisol level (P<0.05).
Conclusion Doing physical activities is one of the key factors in changing the function of the immune system.
This issue is associated with the intensity, duration, kind of exercise, body readiness, nutrition, mental status,
and hormonal factors. Based on the results, long and intensive exercises with an increase in the catabolic process
may weaken the immune system of the older people.

Резюме. Настоящата статия представлява опит да бъде анализиран съществуващият механизъм на провеждане на интеграционни политики у нас в края на седмата година от членството на България в ЕС. Тя има за цел да представи резултатите от осъществено собствено проучване за оценка на въздействието на секторна програма "Леонардо да Винчи" (едно от свързващите звена, което поддържа и осъществява политиката за професионално образование и обучение на страните от ЕС) върху развитието на системата на професионалното образование и обучение (ПОО) в България. В текста се защитава тезата, че осъществените у нас проекти по децентрализираните дейности (Мобилност, Партньорства и Трансфер на иновации) на Програмата изпълняват единствено и само нейните "ниски цели" (въздействие на индивидуално ниво), с което не допринасят тя да бъде използвана за провеждането на преднамерена политика за решаването на структурните проблеми на българското професионално образование и обучение. Заложеният в проучването концептуален модел на изследване (посредством последователната употреба на количествени и качествени методи на изследване и анализ) разкрива основните причини за постигнатите "ниски цели":

Purpose-This proposed research study aims to focus on the development and implementation of a new safety and health educational management information system (hazard-free production operation [HAZ-PRO]) based on effective hazards controlling factors and mitigating measures for safe onshore and offshore oil and gas drilling operation in Saudi Arabian, Malaysian and Pakistani industries. According to previous studies, there is a sheer industrial need of an effective management information system for decision-making to prevent life-threatening accidents at oil and gas production sites based on innovative hazard controlling strategies from different production origins. Similarly, that safety and health management information system will also enhance the decision-making skills of oil and gas production crew through effective accident prevention strategies. Design/methodology/approach-In this study, 100 drilling crew are randomly selected for quantitative research phase. Similarly, 3 safety experts are purposively selected for qualitative research from each drilling domain from Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Pakistan, whereas for the identification of hazard controlling measures, what-if analysis and thematic analysis approaches are adopted. Furthermore, the educational management information system (HAZ-PRO) for safety and health has been developed by using ADDIE Model based. Whereas, Visual Studio (2017) and MySQL software are used for the database and user interface development of the safety and health management information system for the safety and health of production crew. Findings-This study proposes the research framework for the development and implementation of a new safety and health educational management information system (HAZ-PRO) based on identified effective hazard controls and mitigating measures in support of accident prevention and effective decision-making in hazardous events at Saudi Arabian and Pakistani onshore and offshore production domains. Whereas, this proposed safety and health management information system will assist and facilitate the safety professionals and production crew to prevent the injuries in hazardous work environments of onshore and offshore oil and gas industries according to international safety standards. Practical implications-This safety and health management information system can be utilized by oil and gas industries (oil and gas production crew) in Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Pakistan for accident prevention and suitable decision-making prior to the actual onshore and offshore operations. Also, the proposed system development framework will be useful as an effective source for the elimination of life-threatening drilling hazards associated with its activities in oil and gas industries. Similarly, the proposed framework can also be implemented in other oil and gas work-based accident prevention and effective decision-making designs. Originality/value-This proposed safety and health management information system will be the first system for oil and gas production operation that covers all onshore and offshore operations for Saudi Arabian, Malaysian and Pakistani oil and gas industrial settings. Also, the system development methodology and design framework, which will be used, is novel and unique based on their characteristics and functionalities.

The high pace business environment poses great competition among firms. The key to an organisation's survival is its workforce. Time taken by the workforce to reach to full proficiency in their job role takes very long in certain job roles. Thus, shortening time-to-proficiency of employees is a critical business problem for today's organisations. This qualitative research study explored the proven practices and strategies that have successfully reduced time-to-proficiency of the workforce in various settings. A total of 93 participants from seven countries participated in the research study. Bounded project case (with a defined start and defined end) was used as a sampling unit and unit of analysis in this study. This study collected 67 successful project cases with the evidence of significant reduction in time-to-proficiency of the workforce in their settings. These project cases are spanned across nine economic sectors, 20 business sectors and 28 industrial groups. This study revealed that project leaders across the board used six practices to successfully reduce the time-to-proficiency. The purpose of this paper is to present the model of accelerated proficiency in the work place developed in this study.