14 research outputs found
Correction: Ebrahim et al. The Prevalence of Falls Among Older Adults Living in Long-Term Care Facilities in the City of Cape Town. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22, 432
No full textJaron Ras and Rucia November were not included as authors in the original publication [...
The determinants for success in cricket match in elite/professional/franchise players: Systematic review
No full textCricket is the second most popular sport played by billions of people of all ages. The sport has evolved over the years, increasingly popular, from a traditional and conservative game into an extremely lucrative sport, with tournaments contributing $600 million a year to its revenue. Therefore, with so much money invested in the game, performance analysis plays a pivotal role in delivering performance insights to coaches, management and franchise owners, informing them of successful game tactics and strategies. Currently, there is no systematic review on the determinants of successful performance in cricket matches.
Therefore, the aims of this systematic review is to investigate the determinants of successful performance in cricket matches in professional cricket players
The relationship between shoulder complex strength and throwing velocity in club cricketers
No full textMagister Artium (Sport, Recreation and Exercise Science) - MA(SRES)Over the years, cricket has progressed into a game of immense physical prowess, and evolved from a traditional and conservative game into a professional sport requiring very high levels of fitness and skill. The ability to throw a ball at high velocity and with great accuracy is critical for successful performance in many ball sports, including cricket. The aim of this study focussed on examining the relationship between isokinetic strength of the shoulder complex and throwing velocity amongst club cricketers in the age group of 18-32 years. The study used a quantitative methodology with a cross-sectional research design. A convenient sample of 40 male cricketers from the University of the Western Cape was tested. Isokinetic strength of external rotators (ER), internal rotators (IR) and ratios were measured using the Biodex Pro System 4 isokinetic dynamometer at two speeds, namely, 60º•sec-¹ and 90º•sec-¹. Throwing velocity was measured using a calibrated Cordless Speed/Radar Gun. The major findings of this study were the significant correlations between IR at 60º•sec-¹ and throwing velocity for the first team (r = 0.72; p = 0.01), second team (r = 0.67; p = 0.03), third team (r = 0.73; p = 0.01) and fourth team (r = 0.69; p = 0.02). The correlation between the strength ratio at 60º•sec-¹ and throwing velocity was significant for the first team (r = 0.76; p = 0.01), second team (r = 0.83; p = 0.002), third team (r = 0.70; p = 0.02) and fourth team (r = 0.94; p = 0.0001). In conclusion, shoulder strength plays a significant role in the throwing velocity amongst club cricketers. Specifically, the shoulder internal rotators were found to be a major influence in throwing velocity. Furthermore, the shoulder strength ratio is a strong predictor of shoulder strength performance
The relationship between shoulder complex strength and throwing velocity in club cricketers
No full textMagister Artium (Sport, Recreation and Exercise Science) - MA(SRES)Over the years, cricket has progressed into a game of immense physical prowess, and evolved from a traditional and conservative game into a professional sport requiring very high levels of fitness and skill. The ability to throw a ball at high velocity and with great accuracy is critical for successful performance in many ball sports, including cricket. The aim of this study focussed on examining the relationship between isokinetic strength of the shoulder complex and throwing velocity amongst club cricketers in the age group of 18-32 years. The study used a quantitative methodology with a cross-sectional research design. A convenient sample of 40 male cricketers from the University of the Western Cape was tested. Isokinetic strength of external rotators (ER), internal rotators (IR) and ratios were measured using the Biodex Pro System 4 isokinetic dynamometer at two speeds, namely, 60º•sec-¹ and 90º•sec-¹. Throwing velocity was measured using a calibrated Cordless Speed/Radar Gun. The major findings of this study were the significant correlations between IR at 60º•sec-¹ and throwing velocity for the first team (r = 0.72; p = 0.01), second team (r = 0.67; p = 0.03), third team (r = 0.73; p = 0.01) and fourth team (r = 0.69; p = 0.02). The correlation between the strength ratio at 60º•sec-¹ and throwing velocity was significant for the first team (r = 0.76; p = 0.01), second team (r = 0.83; p = 0.002), third team (r = 0.70; p = 0.02) and fourth team (r = 0.94; p = 0.0001). In conclusion, shoulder strength plays a significant role in the throwing velocity amongst club cricketers. Specifically, the shoulder internal rotators were found to be a major influence in throwing velocity. Furthermore, the shoulder strength ratio is a strong predictor of shoulder strength performance
The Prevalence of Falls Among Older Adults Living in Long-Term Care Facilities in the City of Cape Town
No full textFalls are a prevalent health concern with a multi-factorial origin and causing numerous complications for older adults, especially those in low- and middle-income countries, such as South Africa. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of falls among older adults living in different types of long-term care facilities in the City of Cape Town. A total of 258 males and females aged between 60 and 95 years were recruited. Data collection occurred from September 2021 to January 2022. Participants were categorized into low, moderate, or high fall risk using the fall-risk assessment tool. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics and fall prevalence. The chi-squared test determined significant associations between facility type, marital status, and educational level, and their relationship to falling. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient assessed associations between fall occurrence and various risk factors. Findings indicated that the prevalence of falls was 32.6%. Falls were significantly associated with behaviors such as agitation or confusion, and other unmentioned risk factors. Participants living in facilities run by non-profit organizations, and who had a lower education level or were single or widowed, had a higher fall prevalence. The use of anti-depressant and anti-diabetic medications was significantly linked to increased fall risk. These findings can inform future research and the development of strategies to prevent falls among older adults, particularly in LTC facilities
Impact of physical activity on cardiovascular health in firefighters: Scoping review
No full textBackground: Firefighters’ duties include fire response, emergency medical treatment and rescue operations. Noncompliance with physical activity (PA) guidelines increases adverse health behaviours and the risk of on-duty fatalities. While PA is known to treat cardiovascular disease (CVD), its impact on risky health behaviours in firefighters is under-researched.
Aim: This scoping review aimed to evaluate PA’s effects on firefighters’ cardiovascular health.
Method: The review followed PRISMA-ScR and PRISMA Protocol standards, involving a comprehensive search across databases like Cochrane, PubMed, Medline, EbscoHost, Web of Science, Academic Search Complete, CINAHL (EBSCO), SAGE Journals, ScienceDirect and Scopus, covering publications up to June 2023. The purpose was to compile evidence on PA programs’ effects on fire and rescue services (FRS).
Results: Five intervention studies were included, examining PA effects on firefighters with smoking habits, poor diet, alcohol consumption and sedentary lifestyles. These interventions recommend 150 minutes per week of aerobic, flexibility and strength activities. Firefighters should be guided to initiate and maintain 150 minutes of PA weekly to promote health strategies.
Conclusion: The study concludes that integrating lifestyle changes with low- and moderate-intensity PA into fire services is crucial for improving health risk behaviours (HRBs). Implementing multilevel interventions is necessary to drive policy changes supporting firefighters facing HRBs.
Contribution: Educating firefighters about these behaviours is essential, fostering an understanding of healthy alternatives
Identification of key performance indicators for T20—a novel hybrid analytical approach
No full textCricket is a dynamic sport, making the selection of key performance indicators (KPIs) challenging. Objective: The study aims to identify KPIs in Twenty-20 (T20) cricket affecting match outcomes. Methods: Cricket performance data was analysed from three seasons of male T20 matches, identifying 136 performance indicators (PIs). The random forest algorithm and lasso logistic regression were used to develop a model to predict match outcomes. Results: The hybrid model achieved 85.9% accuracy with leave-one-out cross-validation statistical analyses. Sixteen KPIs were identified and ranked by importance including wickets lost in the last six overs, two or more wickets in the second innings, run rate in the last six overs, wickets by seam and spin bowling, batting strike rate, singles percentage in the second innings, sixes in the first innings, overs bowled by seam, runs in last six overs, sixes in middle overs, total catches in second innings, dot ball percentage, opening partnership runs, dot balls in the opening six, and singles in the last six. Conclusions: Cricket match performance in the final overs, especially bowling strike rate and scoring runs, were crucial for successful match outcomes. These KPIs offer insights into team strategy, player selection, and match performance evaluation in T20 cricket
Prevalence of coronary artery disease risk factors among male fire-fighters in Cape Town, South Africa
No full textCardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity
and on-duty mortality among fire-fighters. This study investigated
the prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors among
firefighters in Cape Town, South Africa.A quantitative, cross-sectional and correlational study
design was used. A convenient sample of 219 male fire-fighters with
mean age 37.85±9.80 years was recruited. Eight major CAD risk factors
were assessed using standard techniques. SPSS (ver. 23) was used with
the Pearson correlation and Kruskall-Wallis H test with the MannWhitney test post hoc and a Bonferroni correction. The significance level
set at p<0.05
Relationship between shoulder complex strength and throwing velocity in club cricketers
No full textCricket is a game of immense physical prowess requiring high levels of fitness and skill. Purpose: The aim of this study focused on examining the relationship between shoulder concentric strength and throwing velocity amongst club cricketers. Method: The study used a quantitative, cross-sectional design. A convenient sample of 40 male university cricketers was tested. Shoulder concentric strength was measured at 60º•sec-1 and 90º•sec-1 using an isokinetic dynamometer. Throwing velocity was measured using a Speed Gun. Results: Significant correlations were found between peak torque during concentric internal rotation at 60º•sec-1 and maximal throwing velocity for the first team (r = 0.72; p = 0.01), second team (r = 0.67; p = 0.03), third team (r = 0.73; p = 0.01) and fourth team (r = 0.69; p = 0.02). The correlation between strength ratio at 60º•sec-1 and maximal throwing velocity was also significant for the first team (r = 0.76; p = 0.01), second team (r = 0.83; p = 0.002), third team (r = 0.70; p = 0.02) and fourth team (r = 0.94; p = 0.0001). Conclusion: The shoulder concentric internal rotators play a significant role in throwing velocity of club cricketers.The authors would like to acknowledge the support of the National Research Foundation (NRF)
Identification of Key Performance Indicators for T20—A Novel Hybrid Analytical Approach
No full textCricket is a dynamic sport, making the selection of key performance indicators (KPIs) challenging. Objective: The study aims to identify KPIs in Twenty-20 (T20) cricket affecting match outcomes. Methods: Cricket performance data was analysed from three seasons of male T20 matches, identifying 136 performance indicators (PIs). The random forest algorithm and lasso logistic regression were used to develop a model to predict match outcomes. Results: The hybrid model achieved 85.9% accuracy with leave-one-out cross-validation statistical analyses. Sixteen KPIs were identified and ranked by importance including wickets lost in the last six overs, two or more wickets in the second innings, run rate in the last six overs, wickets by seam and spin bowling, batting strike rate, singles percentage in the second innings, sixes in the first innings, overs bowled by seam, runs in last six overs, sixes in middle overs, total catches in second innings, dot ball percentage, opening partnership runs, dot balls in the opening six, and singles in the last six. Conclusions: Cricket match performance in the final overs, especially bowling strike rate and scoring runs, were crucial for successful match outcomes. These KPIs offer insights into team strategy, player selection, and match performance evaluation in T20 cricket
