1,720,986 research outputs found
The health and fitness profiles of sport studies students at a tertiary institution in South Africa.
Full text linkMaster of Sport Science. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville 2014.Introduction
The first time most adolescents start to take care of themselves with limited parental
support is when they attend university. The watchful guidance of parental support
typically wanes and students start to change their habits to suit their lifestyle. This
study therefore presents data and related analysis of health and fitness profiles of a
selected cohort of students.
Aim of the Study:
The aim of this study was to determine the health and fitness profiles of Sports
Studies students at a tertiary institution in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Methodology:
The study was a cross-sectional design of undergraduate students. Three separate
year groups (first year, second year and third year) were recruited. A purposive
sample of first, (n=70) second (n=90) and third (n=90) year Sport Studies students
completed a health questionnaire and a range of physical fitness tests. Descriptive
and inferential techniques including the use of correlations and chi square test
values were used to analyse data.
Results:
The sample consisted of 165 students with a mean age of 21.48 years (SD±2.48).
First year’s (n = 41) comprised 24.85% of the sample, while second year’s (n = 62)
37.58% and third year’s (n = 62) 37.58%. The sample comprised of 116 males
(70.3%) and 49 females (29.7%). According to South African racial classifications the
sample consisted of 86.1% of the students who self-identified as Black African, 7.9%
Indian, 3.6% Coloured and 2.4% White. The cohort’s mean BMI was 24.09 kg/m²,
with a general increase from first year (22.65 kg/m²) to second year (24.24 kg/m²)
and to third year (24.87 kg/m²). Similarly, there was a mean increase in body weight
of 4.09kgs between first and second year, and a mean increase of 3.81kgs from
second to third year. In total, there was a mean body weight increase of 7.9kgs from
first to third year.
The mean body fat was 13.32% for the cohort with first year females at 23.87% and
first year males 6.44%. In total, 31.5% males and 4.8% females were overweight or
obese. Only 1.8% of the total sample was underweight.
There was a mean increase in relative VO₂max in the study cohort (1st years 31.86
ml.kgˉ¹.minˉ¹, 2nd years 33.47 ml.kgˉ¹.minˉ¹ and 3rd years 34.42 ml.kgˉ¹.minˉ¹). The
mean VO₂max for the entire sample was 33.43 ml.kgˉ¹.minˉ¹ with male students
averaging 36.48 ml.kgˉ¹.minˉ¹ and female students 26.1 ml.kgˉ¹.minˉ¹..
It was reported 78.2% of the sample exercised on a regular basis, with 72.9% being
male.
Conclusions:
Overall results showed that throughout the three years of study, weight and body fat
percentage of students increased progressively along with body mass index, waist
circumference and waist-to-hip ratios. Such increases are of utmost concern and
may be directly associated with low physical activity levels and poor dietary habits.
A decrease in physical activity, frequency and participation may be the cause of the
reported decrease in physical fitness levels. This area of concern may be a major
factor related to the general increase in selected anthropometric measurements.
Also prevalent was the variance in results between males and females, with males
accounting for 72.9% of regular exercisers. The discrepancy in gender and physical
activity and fitness levels is of concern
The effect of therapeutic horseback riding on heart rate variability of children with disabilities.
Full text linkMaster of Science in Sport Science. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2015.Introduction: Heart rate variability (HRV) is the oscillation in the interval between consecutive heart beats, resulting from dynamic interplay between multiple physiologic mechanisms that regulate instantaneous heart rate. Short-term heart rate regulation is governed by sympathetic and parasympathetic neural activity and therefore HRV examination can be used as a non-invasive estimate of the functioning of the autonomic nervous system (ANS).
Aim: To determine the effects of therapeutic horseback riding (THR) intervention on the HRV of children with disabilities including autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, pervasive developmental disorder, sensory problems, and Down syndrome. The objective was to examine if THR intervention improves the HRV of children, hence improving the parasympathetic activity that is associated with a calm and relaxed state.
Methods: This is a quasi-experimental design. Heart rate variability components (time and frequency domain) were measured over six intervention group sessions of THR which were conducted once a week for six weeks. The duration of the THR sessions was 20-25 minutes for each group. The THR sessions included riding, mounting and dismounting, trotting, as well as performing activities such as extending arms and throwing a ball while on a horse. Heart rate variability measures were recorded from 29 participants presenting with various disabilities, and was assessed in both time and frequency domains. Results: Over the six THR sessions, the time domain component (RR interval) showed a significant increase in HRV for pre-THR from session one to session six (p=0.011), indicating improved vagal activation. However, frequency domain showed both increased sympathetic activity from session one to session six (p=0.022) reflected by component coefficient of variance for low frequency (CCV LF) and increased parasympathetic activation during THR from session four to session six (p=0.045), reflected by total power (TP).
Conclusion: Therapeutic horseback riding intervention of six sessions demonstrated a change in HRV of children with disabilities. However, the changes obtained were not significant to make conclusive measures as to whether sympathetic or parasympathetic activity is predominantly increased after the six sessions. Further research involving a larger sample with a single type of a disability would be recommended to improve the reliability and validity of the study. Furthermore, having a control group would improve the reliability of the study
The impact of a school-based physical activity intervention on learners' health behaviour.
Full text linkMaster in Sport Science. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville 2014.Introduction: Five percent of South African youth are obese, 20%
overweight, 13% stunted and eight percent is underweight. Physical
activity among children and adolescents is believed to be insufficient and
low levels of physical activity seem to persist from childhood into
adulthood with this increasing prevalence of obesity and overweight
among children and adolescents, development of interventions to
promote PA in children and adolescents is a priority (van Sluijs et al.,
2007).
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a school-based
PA intervention on learners’ health behaviour.
Methods: This study was a quasi experimental, non-equivalent groups
design. An intervention programme and assessment pre- and postintervention
was conducted. Two schools (one control and one
experimental) from the Clermont Township in KwaZulu-Natal were
purposively selected by KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health. Grade six
learners (n=129), their parents (n=19), school principals (n=2) and
educators (n=21) participated in this study. Learners completed a battery
of tests and completed a physical activity questionnaire for data
collection. Principals and educators were interviewed to determine their
perspectives on physical activity teaching and learning. Parents
participated in focus group sessions. The intervention was implemented
in the experimental school for the four month intervention period by the
educators.
Discussion and conclusions: Study findings indicate that a schoolbased
PA intervention programme can increase learners’ fitness levels.
The study showed that the introduction of various methods of physical
activity within the schools’ existing curriculum, working with educators
and parents can improve physical fitness and healthy eating habits in the
learners without disrupting normal learning and teaching in the school.
Furthermore, this study a school-based physical activity intervention can
improve physical activity awareness among teachers, learners and
parents
The effect of a sport stacking intervention programme on fine and gross motor skills in preschool children.
Full text linkDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Introduction
The lack of physical activity among children is alarming and has become a major health
concern as children are not engaging in enough physical activity to assist in the growth
and development of the child. The development of motor skills in children plays an
important role in the level of physical activity children engage in. If a child cannot
efficiently run, kick, jump, catch, etc., then the opportunities to participate in sport and
other physical activities will become limited because they will not have the necessary
skills to do so. Fine motor skills are just as important as gross motor skills and are
necessary for the development of basic self-help skills. Activities like sport stacking is
believed to improve hand eye coordination, reaction time and motor proficiency.
Aim
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a five-week sport stacking
intervention programme on fine and gross motor skills in preschool children.
Methods
The study was a quasi-experimental non-equivalent controls design with a pre- and postintervention
assessment. The sample selection was a convenient sample of 40 participants
between the ages of four and six years. The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor
Proficiency, second edition (BOT-2) was used to assess fine and gross motor skills. The
data collected in this study was subjected to various statistical procedures. All the data
was analysed by a computerised statistical procedure (SPSS Version 19) and descriptive
(means and standard deviations) and inferential (paired t-tests and independent t-tests)
statistics were used to test significant differences pre- and post- intervention with p ≤ 0.05.
Results
Results demonstrated that the intervention group significantly improved in several fine
and gross motor areas. Paired samples t-test for the intervention group showed significant
differences for five items assessed (copying a star, transfer of pennies, dribbling a ball –
alternating hands, sit-ups and one legged stationary hop). Independent samples t-test
showed significant differences for transfer of pennies and dribbling a ball - alternating
hands. Analysis of covariance showed significant differences in copying a star, transfer of
pennies, tapping feet and fingers – same side synchronised, dribbling a ball – alternating
hands and one-legged stationary hop.
Conclusion
A sport stacking intervention programme is a suitable method to improve fine and gross
motor skills in preschool children
Female athlete triad risk stratification in KwaZulu-Natal elite sprint and distance swimmers.
Full text linkMasters Degrees (Biokinetics, Exercise and Leisure Sciences). University of KwaZulu-Natal. Westville, 2015.Introduction: The Female Athlete Triad (FAT) is a syndrome that poses a serious threat to
the health status of physically active females. It comprises of three components that were
adapted to the American Collage of Sport Medicine (ACSM) 2007 Position Stands criteria
and consists of three interconnected components namely; low energy availability (with or
without disordered eating) that occurs due to insufficient calorie intake in combination with
high amounts of physical activity, menstrual dysfunctions defined as exercise induced
menstrual dysfunction, and low bone mineral density (BMD) in which the bone mineral
density is weakened as a result of prolonged menstrual dysfunction. These components are
linked across a continuum of healthy (optimal energy availability, eumenorrhea (a menstrual
cycle of twenty eight days), and optimal bone health) to unhealthy.
Aim(s): To determine the risk stratification for the FAT in elite sprint and distance swimmers.
Method(s): Twenty one provincial and national level KwaZulu-Natal sprint (n=11) and
distance (n=10) swimmers with a mean age of 18.95 (6.3) years voluntarily participated in this
descriptive, cross-sectional study. For descriptive purposes, anthropometric measurements
(weight, height, skin folds and Body Mass Index (BMI)) were recorded. Each participant
completed three eating disorder questionnaires (Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26), Body shape
Questionnaire (BSQ-34) and a Bulimic Investigatory Test, Edinburgh (BITE)), one Menstrual
Cycle and Time Spent in Exercise Questionnaire and a Self-Administered Bone Mineral
Density questionnaire. A Bioelectrical Impedance Device was used to measure full body
composition. The participants were requested to complete an online ASA24 Dietary Recall of
the previous day’s food and drink intake. The criteria for the risk of the FAT was determined
by a positive score for all three FAT components (low energy availability (with or without
eating disorders, menstrual dysfunction and low bone mineral density).
Result(s): The comparison between the different sporting disciplines showed that sprint
swimmers are more at risk (63.6%) for disordered eating compared to distance swimmers
(50%). Low energy availability was significantly evident in sprint swimmers with a result of
9.79 kcal.kg-1FFM.d-1 (SD 9.56). Out of the total sample size, only six (28.57%) swimmers
were classified as having a menstrual dysfunction. Sprint swimmers showed to have a 90.9%
10 risk of low BMD. The overall results signified that out of the total sample group, 9.5% were
not at risk, 14.3% showed a low risk, 52.4% had a moderate risk and 23.8% were at a high risk
for the whole FAT.
Conclusion: Elite sprint and distance swimmers are not at risk for the FAT, however, elite
level sprint and distance swimmers are susceptible for the risk of FAT components
The short-term effects of a sports stacking intervention on the cognitive and perceptual motor functioning in geriatrics.
Full text linkMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Introduction: Sport stacking has been shown to improve cognitive and motor
functioning, such as reaction time and hand eye coordination, through studies
conducted on children in grades two and three but limited research exists to suggest
these improvements in other populations. Due to the decline in cognitive and motor
functioning resulting from aging and the correlation of falls occurred with decreased
cognitive functioning, improvements in these aspects may promote an improvement
in brain functioning and quality of life in geriatrics.
Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of sport stacking on geriatric
motor and cognitive functioning.
Methods: This quasi-experimental design with a pre- and post-intervention selected
a purposive sample of 60 geriatric participants in a retirement home located in the
eThekwini region, KwaZulu-Natal. Participants were between 60-90 years old; had
no physical disabilities; had no sports stacking experience; had no medical
conditions including Alzheimer’s or Parkinson's disease or medication for Vertigo,
hand eye coordination or memory, had no orthopedic complications, and were
sedentary. All participants’ Body Mass Index were measured using the Nagata BW-
1222 W. Performance on Hand eye coordination was tested by using the plate
tapping test, Reaction Time was tested by using the Position Speed Test, Memory
was tested by using the SOMCT questionnaire, and Balance was tested by using the
Sharpened Romberg Test. The quality of life assessment was measured by using
the Lawton’s Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Questionnaire. Thirty participants
were exposed to an eight week intervention twice a week for 60 minutes while the
control group (n=30) continued with activities as per norm. Pre- and post-intervention
results were analysed using the statistical programme SPSS Version 19. Means and
Standard Deviations, and paired t-test statistics were used to test significant
differences pre- and post- intervention.
Results: The intervention group showed improvements in their reaction time (x̅ -
4.464)(σ 3.986) and plate tapping (x̅ 2.629)(σ 2.468) times. However, the control
group also had an increase in reaction time (x̅ -1.933)(σ 4.849) and plate tapping
(x̅ 1.538)(σ 3.255) times. The improvements found in the control group were not as
significant as what was found in the intervention group. Overall, there were no
changes in the balance results pre- and post-intervention. There were no significant
results found in their memory, quality of life and hand eye coordination tests.
However, the intervention groups’ sports stacking times improved over the eight
week intervention and this could possibly be due to an improvement in skill level.
Conclusion: It was apparent that the sports stacking intervention proved to be
beneficial in improving motor functioning in geriatrics
Anthropometric characteristics, grip strength and physical activity levels of children with physical disabilities: a case study.
Full text linkMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu- Natal, Durban.Physical disability impedes the completion of daily functioning and tasks in children with
disability often resulting in exclusion from participating in physical activity. The problem is
that a lack of physical activity results in a higher risk of non-communicable lifestyle diseases,
to which an individual with physical disability is already predisposed. The participation of
children with disability in sports and recreational activities promotes inclusion, minimises
deconditioning, optimises physical functioning, and enhances overall well-being. Despite these
benefits, children with disability are more restricted in their participation, have lower levels of
fitness, and have higher levels of obesity than their peers without disabilities.
Therefore, the screening and monitoring of children using simple health indicators such as
anthropometry, physical activity levels and grip strength is essential to identify children who
may be at risk for chronic diseases, for those who can improve their quality of life through
changes in their lifestyle; and it can help raise awareness of the need to increase their
participation in physical activity. Often physical activity is underestimated for children with
disability, well-informed decisions with regards to types and best suited physical activity
programmes are more easily formulated following identification of overall health status and
individual activity preferences, such as through measurement of physical activity levels,
anthropometric characteristics and hand grip strength
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
The development of a professional development programme for physical activity promotion in adolescents' physical education classes, Nigeria.
Full text linkDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban.Introduction: Nigerian adolescents are physically inactive and unable to enjoy the health benefits of
exercise, due to the lack of physical activity (PA) during physical education (PE) classes. Adolescents’
PA can be promoted in different environments, such as at school and in the wider community. Schools
promote PA through school sports, at lunch break and in PE class. School-based interventions in PE
classes have been effective in promoting PA in adolescents and encouraging healthy lifestyles.
Purpose of the study: To develop a professional development programme for PE teachers in junior
secondary schools and to evaluate its impact on students in order to improve PA in Nigerian schoolgoing
adolescents.
Methods: This study employed a mixed-methods approach, including intact group and action research
designs. A purposive sample of 1200 students were recruited from twenty-four junior secondary
schools, from the Epe local government area, in Lagos State East senatorial district, Nigeria. The
schools were sampled and purposively assigned to an intervention group (n= 14) and a control group
(n= 10). Teachers (n=14 intervention; n=10 control) and students (n=695 intervention; n=498 control)
participated in the study. Students completed the Attitudes and Practices of PA for Adolescents (QAPPAA)
questionnaire pre- and post-intervention. A PE teacher from each school participated in the
teacher-training intervention (n=24) and in focus group discussions pre- and post-intervention.
The professional development training (PDT) was designed, based on the focus group discussions
(FGDs) and information from the related literature. The data collection tools for pre- and postintervention
were teacher FGDs and validated student questionnaires. Quantitative data were analysed
with the use of a statistical package (IBM SPSS Statistics version 25, US) which performed descriptive
and inferential tests and analysed significant differences between pre- and post- intervention.
The one-sample t-test was applied to test for significant agreement or disagreement to statements
measuring attitude to PE, pre- and post-scores. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to test the
post-intervention scores, to determine the interaction effects of categorical interval scale variables. The
Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test was applied to observed differences between the two dependent
measurements, to discover whether there was a statistically significant difference in mean scores or not.
Lastly, the analysis of the qualitative FGDs was carried out with the aid of computer-assisted data
analysis software (Nvivo 12), to identify and interpret themes and sub-themes that emerged from the
FGDs
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