Department of Sport, Recreation and Exercise Science (SRES)

Permanent URI for this community

https://hdl.handle.net/10566/2164

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 163

The effect of carbohydrate ingestion on the motor skill proficiency of soccer players
(Human Kinetics Publishers Inc., 1996) Zeederberg, C.; Leach, Lloyd; Lambert, Estelle V.; Noakes, Timothy D.; Dennis, S.C.; Hawley, J.A.
This study examined the effects of ingesting a glucose-polymer (GP) solution on the motor skill proficiencies of association football (soccer) players from two teams playing during two matches in a cool environment. Fifteen minutes before each match and at halftime, players from both teams ingested 5 ml/kg of either placebo or a 6.9% GP solution. GP ingestion did not improve tackling, heading, dribbling, or shooting ability. On the contrary, the mean of successful tackles was lower with GP ingestion than with placebo. The success rate for heading, dribbling, and shooting also tended to be lower in the GP than in the placebo condition. In contrast, success in passing and ball control was similar in the two conditions. Improvements in passing and ball control may have been related to a decrease in the intensity of play in the second half of the game. These data indicate that there are no measurable benefits of GP ingestion for the motor skill proficiencies of soccer players during games played in a cool environment.
A comparative study for the removal of humic acids from power plants make-up waters
(University of the Western Cape, 2002-06) Linkov, V
Water treatment forms an integral part of thermal electric power generation (coal fired as well as nuclear power stations). There are generally two main water cycles associated with thermal power generation, namely the steam/water cycle that uses demin water for the production of steam and the cooling water circuit, which is used for condensing the steam back to water. The two cycles are isolated from each other and exchange heat via a condenser. Power station make up water treatment plants have traclltionally been designed to produce water of a very high quality (free from inorganic salts) by synthetic ion exchange resins. Raw water quality (mainly TDS, OA and silica) is the key factor in the design of the plant. Any deterioration of raw water quality during the life cycle of the plant, which is currently a South African and worldwide phenomenon, will inevitably have a negative impact on treatment plant performance and plant integrity. ln order to meet the specifications of the water quality required for proper plant operation, an extra burden, as well as associated treatment costs, will therefore have to be placed on existing treatment processes to compensate for change in feed water quality.
A study on the readability of the Eritrean biology textbook for grade eight
(University of the Western Cape, 2003-09) Ghebremichael, Ogbagebriel Elekal
The purpose of the study was to determine the readability of the Eritrean biology textbook for grade eight. The study was conducted in Eritrea in four selected senior secondary schools. The motivation for the study was the significant role textbooks play in the educational setting as a primary source of information. Drawing on the assumption that students and teachers depend heavily on textbooks as a major source of information, the study is premised on the assumption that students must be provided with materials, particularly, the textbooks, that take into consideration the language ability of the students for whom they are written. With this in mind, the research sets out to determine the readability of the grade eight biology textbook to find out the congruence or otherwise with its intended grade level learners. To collect data for the study, both quantitative and qualitative research methods were used. The quantitative research methods were the Flesch, the Frequency of Gobbledygook (FOG), and the Fry readability formulas, cloze test, Word Difficult Index (WDD test, and a questionnaire. These were used to ascertain the congruence or otherwise of the readability of the prescribed biology textbook for grade eight level students. The questionnaire was included for the purpose of data triangulation. The qualitative research method was a set of interviews with students, teachers and the biology curriculum designer. They were used to reveal first hand information from the subjects of the study about the appropriateness of the language used in the prescribed biology textbook in relation to its intended grade eight level students
Perceptions of constraints to recreational sports participation :a case study of the University of the Western Cape (UWC) undergraduate female students
(University of the Western Cape, 2005) Solomon, Ghebremedhin Asihel; Jones, D.E.M.; Malcolm, C.; Dept. of Sports, Recreation and Exercise Science; Faculty of Community and Health Sciences
The effects of attitudes and perceived constraints on behavior and the choices females make about involvement in recreational sports, exercise, and other physical recreation activities are important to consider if females physical, social, and emotional quality of life is to be enhanced. The main aim of this study was to explore the perception held by female undergraduate students at UWC regarding the physical and socio-cultural constraints that influence their participation in recreation sport.
The effect of accumulative physical activity on the fitness and health status of rural school children
(University of the Western Cape, 2005) Wildschutt, Phillip Jacobus; Travill, Andre; Jordaan, G.; Faculty of Community and Health Sciences
Numerous studies focusing on cardiovascular disease risk factors such as obesity, hypertension, smoking, diabetes mellitus, elevated serum lipids, inactivity and lack of physical fitness prevalent in children highlight the importance of the early diagnosis and prevention of conditions that are associated in adulthood with cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of accumulative physical activity on the fitness profile, blood pressure and body composition in 14-16 year old school children in the Western Cape of South Africa.
Her-stories in South African sport: gender and sport in the Cape Colony 1806-1910
(University of the Western Cape, 2006) Jones, Denise
INTRODUCTION: The gendering of South African sport has a point of origin which is not explicitly evident until one examines the impact of the combined effects of the masculinity-sports relationship during the Victorian era, British imperialism and colonization in Southern Africa, and the institutionalisation of sports in England and her colonies. The question that emerges is "how did this shape the sports(s) practices of women at the time?" OBJECTIVES: The objective is to highlight the way the sporting culture of Victorian England and the associated ideals of womanliness and manliness shaped the initial construction of gender and sport in South Africa. METHODS: Review of literature on sport in the history of South Africa, 1806-1910. The article has been written within the framework of subsequent emerging themes. DISCUSSION: In this article the focus is on (1) the way the importance placed on the reproductive role of women promoted the view that females were physically more vulnerable than males and therefore their participation in sports put them at risk; (2) how female sports participation was both liberating and restrictive and led to a redefinition of femininity; and (3) the scant reference to sporting females in the Cape media of the time. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE AND RESEARCH: It is not possible to obtain an understanding of the way sport constructs unequal gender relations without some knowledge of how they evolved over time. Scholarship in sports history should incorporate gender relations as an analytical category of historical research.
Incidence of football injuries in different age groups at a professional football club
(University of the Western Cape, 2006) Curtis, Vernon Glen Lagrotteria; Travill, Andre; Dept. of Sports, Recreation and Exercise Science; Faculty of Community and Health Sciences
Football is the most popular sport in the world, and it continues to have a progressive annual increase in the number of active players and the number of games played per season, which in turn, leads to an increase in the frequency of injuries. Football is extensively researched worldwide, however, some current studies confirm that the results on football injury factors are limited, as well as inconsistent and incomplete. The main aim of this study was to examine interrelating factors of football injuries through the various age groups at a designated football club. The study aimed to expose the injury risk factors and patterns present in the various age groups.
Accessibility of recreational sports for students with disablilities at the University of the Western Cape
(University of the Western Cape, 2007) Wright, Shernel A.; Jones, D.E.M.; Struthers, P.; Dept. of Sports, Recreation and Exercise Science; Faculty of Science
Participation in recreational sports can play a vital role in enhancing a student's life. Recreational sports are esepecially beneficial for students with disabilities as it aids in the facilitation of integration into mainstream society. The University of the Western Cape offers a range of recreational sports to their students but the question posed is, are these recreational sports accessible to students who are physically, auditory and/or visually disabled? The aim of this research project was therefore to explore the extent to which the University of the Western Cape's recreational sport was accessible to male and female studnets with disabilities.
The implementation of sports policies and procedures at professional sport clubs at the University of the Western cape
(University of the Western Cape, 2007) Rossouw, Geraldine Elvira; Titus, S.
The importance of having a structure in any sport code and following them ensures better functioning of the particular sport code. The management of sport is defined as "the study and practice involved in relation to all people, activities, organizations, and businesses involved in producing, facilitating, promoting, to organizing any product that is sport, fitness, and recreation-related; and, sports products can be goods, services, people, places, or ideas" (Park house 2001) The running of a club should be looked at holistically and any flaws should be looked at holistically and any flows should be identified and corrected. This study explores the implementation of sports policies and procedures for professional sports clubs at the University of the Western Cape at theirs. Method The study employed a quantitative setting using a questionnaire administered to eight members of the selected five professional clubs of the university. Data analysis was done using Microsoft Excel. Results The results reflected the problem areas that the clubs needed to look at. Amongst these included the attendance of meetings by both executive and ordinary members, the composition of the clubs, and fines that members should receive for non-attendance at meetings. Members are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the constitution of their club.
The implementation of sport policies and procedures at professional sport clubs at the university of the Western Cape
(University of the Western, 2007-11) Rossouw, G.E; Titus, S
The importance of having a structure in any sports code and following it ensures better functioning of the particular sports code. The management of sport is defined as "the study and practice involved in relation to all people, activities, organizations, and businesses involved in producing, facilitating, promoting, to organizing any product that is sport, fitness, and recreation-related; and, sports products can be goods, services, people, places, or ideas" (Parkhouse,2001). The running of a club should be looked at holistically and any flaws should be identified and corrected. This study explores the implementation of the sports policies and procedures of professional sports clubs at the University of the Western Cape.
The experiences of female sport administrators in the Western Cape: gender bias in the Workplace
(University of the Western Cape, 2008) Titus, Simone; Jones, Denise; Terblanche, Susan S.; Dept. of Sports, Recreation and Exercise Science; Faculty of Arts
Research indicates that the advancement of women into top management positions is steadily increasing. However, it seems as if gender divisions in the workforce do not encourage equal opportunities for women in the labor sector. In the world of sport, gender equity has been promoted with some progress. However, this progress, both globally and in South Africa, is still limited both quantitatively and qualitatively. There has been very little research on the experiences of women in leadership positions, specifically in the field of sport. This study explored the experiences of female sports administrators in the workplace. This study employed a qualitative research methodology. Purposive sampling was used to select suitable candidates in the field of sport and recreation in the Western Cape, South Africa. Data was collected by using semi-structured interviews and data was analysed using thematic analysis. Results indicate that participants in this study experience gender bias in the workplace in terms of differential treatment, organizational fit and harassment and intimidation. Conclusions and recommendations are also offered.
Socio-economic status and menarcheal age in urban african schoolgirls in the western cape, South Africa
(University of Stellenbosch, 2008) Travill, Andre L.; Madsen, Richard; Cameron, Noel; Kemper, Han C.
The impact of different socio-economic levels, height, weight and sum of four skinfolds on the menarcheal age of 302 Black, South African school girls ranging in age from 8 to 17 years was researched. Socioeconomic status was obtained by means of a questionnaire that focused on the education, income, and occupations of the parents of the participants and the accommodation in which they were reared. Menarcheal age was obtained by means of a questionnaire. When restricted to those girls who had reached menarche, the mean age was found to be 14.34 years (SD=0.93). The application of survival analysis revealed an estimated median age of 14.25 years with a 95% confidence interval estimate of 14.08 and 14.58. Based on the log-rank statistic, significant differences were found in the survival curves of the different SES categories (p=0.0098). It was found that lower SES corresponded to curves having longer survival times, i.e. later ages of menarche. Differences were found in weight (p=0.037) and in height (p=0.0042), but no difference in SUM4 (p=0.44), between girls who have reached menarche and those who have not.
Service quality in leisure program delivery : a case of the Salomon Puffer endurance trail run
(University of the Western Cape, 2009) Joubert, Etienne; Jones, D; Mwaba, K
In a demanding and diverse corporate market any organization wanting to make a profit should adhere to certain business principles in order to stay economically competitive. The product of the leisure service organization consisting of tangible and intangible factors makes it difficult to market and sell their product as compared to organizations in the manufacturing industry. The quality of the product or service, made up of tangible and intangible factors therefore becomes the benchmark for the leisure service organization to ensure prolonged economic participation in an ever changing business environment. A service of high quality will therefore ensure higher profit and more opportunities for the leisure organization. This study assessed the service quality of the SALOMON PUFFER (hereafter called the PUFFER) Endurance Trail Run in Table Mountain Nature Reserve in Cape Town as a leisure event. Service quality of the PUFFER was assessed through 33 participants from South Africa of both male and female and ranging in the ages of 2l and,70 completing the SERVQUAL questionnaire specially adapted to an endurance event like the PUFFER. Questions addressed issues on five SERVQUAL dimensions namely: Responsiveness, Reliability, Tangibles, Assurance and Empathy as well as the awareness and usage ratings of certain tangible and intangible aspects not necessarily part of the five dimensions mentioned. Questions were answered on a five point Likert style scales ranging from "strongly agree" to "strongly disagree". Data was analyzed using the STATISTICA package of data analysis. The organizers were rated as excellent on all five dimensions with ratings of over 60%o on average with only physical facilities as tangible factor receiving a lower score of 33%o in terms of excellence. The conclusion of the study is that both tangible and intangible factors plays a role in the overall impression participants have on the leisure event. It indicates therefore that the participants in the PUFFER perceived the service delivered at the event to be of acceptable quality.
A comparative study on high-risk sexual behaviour of male student elite athletes, male student non-athletes, and male student recreational sports participants at the University of Botswana
(University of the Western Cape, 2009) Sebele, Molly Kenaope; Avis, Paul; Mwaba, Kavin; Dept. of Sports, Recreation and Exercise Science; Faculty of Arts
This study aims to compare the sexual behaviour patterns of male elite student athletes, male student recreational sports (RSP) and male student non-athletes at the University of Botswana in relation to high-risk sexual behaviours. High-risk behaviors in the domain of sexual behaviour were investigated in relation to the determinants of risk behaviour such as multiple partnerships, condom use, and history of sexually transmitted infections, the partners past sex life, current sexual life, casual sexual partners and age of first exual experience. The purpose was to establish which group of the male students is more at risk of HIV infection due to its engagement in high-risk sexual behaviour. Data was collected by means of an anonymous self-report questionnaire. Participants included 235 male students (94 non-athletes, 92 athletes and 50 elite athletes) at the University of Botswana. Selfreport questionnaires were administered, which included items from the 2005 Youth Risk Surveillance System (YRBSS), Student Life Style questionnaire, as well as items from a questionnaire assessing knowledge and practice of safe sex amongst Rhodes University students (Simpson, 1996).
Towards a level playing field -a case study of the challenges facing NGOs using sport for development within the educational system in South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2010) Sanders, Ben; Phillips, Julie; van Reusel, Bart; Dept. of Sports, Recreation and Exercise Science; Faculty of Science
The overall aim of the study was to determine the opportunities and challenges NGOs encounter when using sport as a vehicle for development within the education system, in post-apartheid South Africa. A case study design has been chosen since it will offer real insight, showing how specific sports programmes work in specific contexts. Two NGOs, Grassroot Soccer (GRS) and the Extra-Mural Education Project (EMEP) constitute the cases, with an in-depth exploration of their work and the challenges they face. The study population includes employees of GRS, EMEP, target groups of the organisations and officials in the Department of Education. Key informants, including the head of research, managing directors, coaching/training staff at each organisation, officials in the Department of Education and community leaders were purposively selected to participate in the study. Data was collected by means of in-depth interviews, document reviews and observations. In-depth interviews were conducted with the head of research, managing directors, coaching and training staff at each organisation, principals and teachers of selected schools and community leaders. The analysis of the interviews started with the transcription of information from audio-tape recordings. Both pre-determined and emerging themes were noted. The results illustrated that although certain challenges were common to both organisations, others are unique.
Occupational self efficacy : an occupational therapy practice model to facilitate returning to work after a brain injury
(University of the Western Cape, 2010) Soeker, Shaheed; van Rensburg, Viki; Travill, Andre; Dept. of Sports, Recreation and Exercise Science; Faculty of Community and Health Sciences
This qualitative study explored and described the lived experience of people with brain injuries with regard to resuming their worker roles. Based on the results, an occupational therapy practice model to facilitate return to work was developed. The theoretical framework of occupational science with emphasis on occupational risk factors informed the study. The research design was a theory generative design based on a qualitative, phenomenological, explorative and descriptive research approach utilizing the methods of theory generation as advocated by Chinn and Kramer (1999), Walker and Avant (2005) and Dickoff, James and Wiedenbach (1968).
Insulin resistance, physical activity and physical fitness in adults residing in a northern suburb of Cape Town
(University of the Western Cape, 2011) Bartels, Clare; Bassett, Sue; Erasmus, R; Dept. of Sports, Recreation and Exercise Science; Faculty of Community and Health Sciences
Insulin resistance has shown to be a precursor to a number of lifestylerelated chronic diseases and abnormalities in adults and is affected by a number of factors including genetics, age, physical activity and acute exercise, diet, obesity, body fat distribution and medication. Physical activity has shown to have marked effects on improving sensitivity to insulin though various physiological mechanisms, and numerous correlation studies have identified a relationship between these two variables, suggesting the beneficial role of exercise on insulin resistance. This study aimed to identify a relationship between current levels of physical activity, physical fitness and insulin resistance in adults between the ages of 35 and 65 years of age residing in a northern suburb community in Cape Town. A total of 186 volunteers participated in this study ranging from healthy individuals to those with diagnosed chronic conditions. Insulin resistance (determined by the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance), physical activity (measured by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire) and five health-related physical fitness tests were measured. The five components included body composition, determined by body mass index and waist circumference, the 3-minute cardiorespiratory step test, the handgrip muscle strength test, one-minute crunches for muscle endurance and the sit-and-reach flexibility test. Spearman correlation was used to identify the relationships between the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, age, body composition and physical activity and fitness.Results showed that body mass index and waist circumference were the only two variables which produced significant correlations with the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (p < 0.019). No physical activity or fitness data produced significant scores with the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance. Body mass index in men was the only significant predictor of HOMA-IR and explained 37% of the variance in insulin resistance, whereas in women, only waist circumference was related to HOMA-IR, but explained less than 16% of the variance. Associations between reported MET-minutes from the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and the four fitness tests indicated significance with handgrip strength (ρ = 0.17; p =0.039), one-minute crunches (ρ = 0.18; p = 0.024) and sit-and-reach flexibility (ρ = 0.17; 0.034). This study has shown that body composition is an important component in influencing insulin resistance therefore physical activity interventions should be targeted at increasing physical activity levels and reducing body weight.
Female sport administrators’ experiences of organisational fit in the workplace
(AFAHPER-SD, 2011) Titus, Simone
Gender inequality in South African sport has been legislated against by a number of constitutionally binding Acts. Although these policies have done much to address the general absence of women in leadership positions in sport, this absence is undoubtedly linked to gender inequality in sport. This is a reflection of the realities which shape women’s understanding of their organizational experiences in the workplace. The purpose of this study was to report on female sport administrators’ experiences of organisational fit in their places of work with regard to their experiences of resistance and exclusion, decision making, the absence of women in leadership positions and tokenism in sport. A qualitative method was used to explore organisational fit as experienced by participants in their places of work. Candidates were purposively selected to reflect the cultural and historical diversity of the women in leadership positions in sport in the Western Cape. Data was collected by using semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. Reflexivity and trustworthiness were ensured by doing member checks, clarifying researcher bias and peer review and debriefing.
The impact of multiple behaviour health intervention strategies on coronary heart disease risk, health-related physical fitness, and health-risk behaviours in first year university students
(University of the Western Cape, 2011) Leach, Lloyd L; Travill, Andre
Background: There is compelling body of evidence that coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors are present in people of all ages. The extent to which the problem exists in university students in South Africa (SA) has not been confirmed in the literature. Furthermore, the effects of physical activity, physical fitness, diet and health behaviours on CHD risk factors has not been studied extensively in SA and needs further investigation. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the impact of multiple behaviour health intervention strategies on CHD risk, health-related physical fitness(HRPF) and healthrisk behaviours (HRB) in first year students at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). It was hypothesized that exposure to various health behavioural interventions would reduce CHD risk factors in subjects at moderate risk, and improve health-related physical fitness, as well as health-risk behaviours.Methods and Study Design: An experimental study design was used wherein subjects at moderate risk for CHD were identified and exposed to multiple health behavioural interventions for 16 weeks in order to determine the impact of the various interventions on CHD risk, health-related physical fitness and health-risk behaviours. Population and Sample: The target population consisted of first year students at UWC aged 18 – 44 years who were screened and a sample of 173 subjects were identified as being at moderate risk for CHD. Next, the subjects were randomly assigned to a control and four treatment groups, namely, health information, diet, exercise, and a multiple group that included all three treatments. The intervention, based upon Prochaska‟s Transtheoretical Model of behaviour change, continued for a period of 16 weeks and, thereafter, the subjects were retested. Data Collection Process: Subject information was obtained using self-reported questionnaires, namely, the physical activity readiness questionnaire (PAR-Q), the stages of readiness to change questionnaire (SRCQ), the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ), and the healthy lifestyle questionnaire (HLQ), together with physical and hematological (blood) measurements. The measurements taken before and after the intervention programme were the following:• Coronary heart disease risk factors, namely: family history, cigarette smoking, hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, impaired fasting glucose and a sedentary lifestyle; • Health-related physical fitness, namely: body composition, cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility; and • Health-risk behaviours, namely: physical activity, nutrition, managing stress, avoiding destructive habits, practising safe sex, adopting safety habits, knowing firstaid, personal health habits, using medical advice, being an informed consumer, protecting the environment and mental well-being. Types of interventions: A control group was used in which subjects did not receive any treatment. The health behavioural interventions were arranged into four groups of subjects that received either the health information, diet, exercise or a combination of all three individual treatments. Statistical analyses of data: In the analyses of the data, the procedure followed was that where the outcome variable was approximately normally distributed, the groups were compared using a two-sample t-test. For outcomes with a highly non-normal distribution or ordinal level data, the nonparametric Wilcoxon Rank Sum test was used for group comparisons. To account for baseline differences, repeated measures analysis of variance was used. In the case where nonparametric methods were appropriate, analysis was done using Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel (CMH) methodology stratifying on the baseline values. For the case of nominal level outcomes, groups were compared by Chi-square tests for homogeneity of proportions. When baseline values needed to be incorporated into the analysis, this was done using CMH methodology. Main Outcome Measures: The main outcome measures tested in the study related to the three areas of investigation, namely: • Modifiable CHD risk factors: systolic and diastolic blood pressure, cigarette smoking, total cholesterol (TC) concentration, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentration, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentration, triglycerides, fasting glucose, body mass index, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio and physical inactivity; • Health-related physical fitness: body mass, percent body fat, absolute body fat, percent lean body mass, absolute lean body mass, the multi-stage shuttle run, handgrip strength, repeated sit-ups in a minute, and the sit-and-reach test; and • Health-risk behaviours: physical activity, nutrition, managing stress, avoiding destructive habits, practising safe sex, adopting safety habits, knowing first aid, personal health habits, using medical advice, being an informed consumer, protecting the environment and mental well-being. Results: The results showed significant decreases for body mass, waist and hip circumferences, resting heart rate, systolic blood pressure, cigarette smoking and a sedentary lifestyle (p < .05) primarily in the multiple group. No significant differences were recorded for blood biochemistry, however, favourable trends were observed in the lipoprotein ratios. For health-related physical fitness, only the multiple group showed significant (p < .005) improvements in predicted maximal oxygen consumption ( O2max), body composition, muscular strength and muscular endurance. The exercise group also recorded significant differences in muscular endurance. In all groups, including the controls, no significant differences were found for stature, waist-hip ratio, and flexibility at pre- and post-test. Overall, the participants reflected positive health behaviours, especially for managing stress, avoiding destructive habits, practising safe sex, adopting safety habits, personal health habits and mental well-being at pre- and post-test. The intervention programme had a corrective influence on providing the participants with a more realistic perception of their level of physical activity and nutritional habits. The participants scored poorly on being informed consumers and for recycling waste both at pre- and post-test. A substantial net reduction in CHD risk factors as well as in cumulative risk was achieved with treatment that impacted positively on the re-stratification of participants at moderate risk. In terms of treatment efficacy, the dietary intervention appeared to be the least effective (10.91%), with health information and exercise sharing similar levels of efficacy (32.81% and 33.93%, respectively) and, the combined treatment in the multiple group stood out as the most effective treatment (50.00%), and supported the hypothesis of the study. Conclusions: The net and cumulative decline in CHD risk factors was substantial with treatment and was directly related to the number of treatments administered. The evidence suggests that such multiple health behaviour interventions when implemented through a university-based setting have substantial benefits on reducing CHD risk and may be of considerable public health benefit. Key messages • Despite being a relatively educated population, a substantial number of first year university students are at considerable heart disease risk. • Physical inactivity constitutes one of the main CHD risk factors amongst first year students and, together with smoking, place many of them at moderate CHD risk. • The effectiveness of health behavioural strategies designed to modify lifestyle and prevent coronary heart disease is supported by this study.
Correlation between growth and physical fitness of socially disadvantaged girls
(University of Stellenbosch, 2011) Travill, Andre L.
The intention of this study was to investigate the relationship between growth and physical fitness of girls between the ages seven and 18. The girls (N=302) were randomly selected from six randomly selected schools in an informal settlement in the Western Cape. Twenty anthropometric measurements were taken on each participant. Some of the measurements included heights, girths, skinfolds and breadths. Skinfold measurements were further used to calculate body composition and somatotypes. The following physical fitness components were included for assessment: flexibility (sit-and-reach test); grip strength (hand grip dynamometer); leg power (standing long-jump); speed (50m-sprint test); and cardiovascular endurance (three-minute step test). The relationship between growth and fitness characteristics was determined by means of a stepwise discriminant analysis. The participants were divided into 'under 13' and '13 and older' groups and were used to establish differences in the relationships between growth and fitness. The analysis showed the prominence of weight and height as predictors of fitness parameters, especially strength, speed and leg power.

Browse

Browsing by Issue Date

Results Per Page

Sort Options