African Journals Online
South African Journal for Research in Sport, Physical Education and Recreation

Volume 24, Issue 1 2002

Sources of enjoyment in sport reported by South African sports participants with visual impairments
Bressan, E.S.Rossouw, C.C. 1-16

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to identify the sources of enjoyment in competitive sport experienced by individuals with visual impairments. Study participants were 20 sportsmen with visual impairments, all of whom had sufficient skill and experience to compete in South African national championships in goalball, swimming, or track and field. Each of these sportsmen was interviewed using a semi-structured qualitative interview with an open-ended response format. Verbatim transcripts of each interview were made. Two qualified researchers proceeded to apply the techniques of inductive content analysis to produce categories of meaning evident in the subjects' discussions about their sources of enjoyment in sport participation. Five general themes emerged from this analysis: (a) Perceptions of competence, (b) positive social experiences, (c) physical fitness, (d) mental aspects, and (f) emotional aspects. These themes are consistent with the sources of meaning identified through research on sportspersons without disabilities, which provides support for the growing recognition of the substantial similarities between sportspersons with disabilities and those without disabilities.

A comparison of maximal torque levels of the different planes of movement of the shoulder-girdle complex for different types of sports
Coetzee, F.F.McDonald, T.Kilian, J.F. 17-28

Abstract: It is often assumed that because different sports require specific skills, the torque levels differ from sport to sport. The purpose of this study was to establish whether there were significant differences in the maximal torque levels of the different planes of movement of the shoulder-girdle complex for different types of sport. The peak torque levels obtained in this study were also compared to those obtained in similar studies done for other sports. In the absence of torque norms for the shoulde-girdle complex for the average population as well as competitive athletes, a spin-off of this study was isokinetic torque values that may act as guidelines in generating norms for the different planes of movement in different types of sport. It was found that no difference existed for all planes of movement between cricket players and the non-athletic population. These two groups, however, differed significantly from the rugby players.

Strength and power characteristics of elite South African beach volleyball players
Davies, S.E.H. 29-40

Abstract: This study investigated the strength and power characteristics of 13 elite South African male beach volleyball players. The results indicate that elite beach volleyball players have a mean stature of 185.28 cm ("7.2), mean mass of 82.01 kg ("9.7) and percentage body fat of 13.12% ("2.4). Mean isokinetic peak torque values (Nm) for leg extension at 60 degrees . s -1=268.03, 180 degrees . s-1=188.53, and 240 degrees . s-1=162.61; leg flexion at 60 degrees . s-1=152.65, 180 degrees . s-1=117.65 and 240 degrees . s-1=104.61. Mean isokinetic peak torque values for leg extension relative to body mass (Nm. kg-1) were for extension at 60 degrees . s-1=3.29, 180 degrees . s-1=2.37, and 240 degrees . s-1=2.0 and flexion at 60 degrees . s-1=1.86, 180 degrees . s-1=1.45 and 240 degrees . s-1=1.29. Vertical jump performance (VJP) was evidenced by an average of 61.73 cm ("4.5). The results suggest that elite beach volleyball players have relatively strong legs when compared with studies that assessed sportsmen using isokinetic devices at the same testing speeds. VJP was however modest when compared to previous studies of elite indoor volleyball players.

Hardloop se verband met rookgedrag by 'n groep padwedlopers
Dreyer, L.I.Dreyer, S.Van der Werf, A.Van Zyl, A. 41-52

Abstract: The effect of running on smoking was investigated. The following research questions were specifically investigated. 1) How many runners are ex-smokers who quit smoking after taking up running on a regular basis; 2) What is the effect of running on smoking habits (cigarettes smoked daily) of runners that did not quit smoking after they became regular runners; 3) What effect does running have on the smoking patterns (number of cigarettes smoked per day) of runners depending on running distance (amount of kilometres run per day) and number of years running. The research population consisted of participants at road races (half marathons and 10 km races) held in Johannesburg, Krugerdorp and Klerksdorp as well as participants at time trials held by running clubs in Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom. Participants were requested to complete a brief questionnaire that took them 3 to 5 minutes to complete. The results of the study indicate that 29.4% of the runners quitted smoking just before they took up running and a further 38.9% shortly after they started running on a regular basis. A total of 68% thus stopped smoking just before or after they took up running. The smoking cessation effect of running also seems to be long-term in nature, since ex-smokers have quitted on average 9 years ago. The results also indicate that runners who did not quit smoking smoke statistically significantly less per day. Exercise intensity and number of years running had no effect on the tendency of the runners to smoke less after taking up running. The conclusion of this study is that smokers who took up running seemed to quit the smoking habit or at least started to smoke less per day.

Abdominal fat distribution and cardiovascular risk factors in hypertensive females
Du plessis, L.A.S.Loots, J.M.Brits, J.S. 53-76

Abstract: The link between abdominal fat distribution and insulin related cardiovascular risk factors in black and white female hypertensives who were on drug treatment for hypertension was investigated with computed tomography scan, sonar, anthropometric measurements and blood testing. Fasting blood samples were tested for: insulin, glucose, triglyceride, apoprotein B, apoprotein A1, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, lipoprotein a, uric acid, fibrinogen and plasminogen activity. Albumin and creatinine were measured in urine samples. Black subjects were slightly more obese than their white counterparts as judged from their body mass indexes (34.39±6.60 vs. 32.08±6.77 kg/m2, p<0.187) and they had similar waist to hip ratios (0.80±5.70 vs. 0.79±5.61, p=0.540). Despite this, white subjects had more intra-abdominal fat than black subjects (162. 76±63.97 vs. 131.17±63.89 cm2 , p=0.207) and this difference became more pronounced after excluding the values of six black diabetic subjects (162.76 vs. 107.53±9.10 cm 2, p=0.000) who all had visceral fat areas larger than 177 cm2. Visceral fat areas correlated with fasting glucose (r=0.79), triglyceride (r=0.60) and insulin resistance (r=0.70) in black subjects and with LDL particle size (r=-0.60) triglyceride (r=0.60) and insulin resistance (r=0.60) in white subjects. Hypertriglyceridaemia seems to be the mediator of dyslipidaemia in particular a decrease in HDL cholesterol levels and an increase in the number of small atherogenic LDL particles. This may happen at triglyceride levels considerably lower than 2.3 mmol/l, which is generally accepted as the high-risk cut-off point. Waist to hip ratio did not seem to be a good indicator of visceral fat or cardiovascular risk in the present study and it was concluded that waist circumference or intra-abdominal sonar may be more reliable in this regard. The present study also showed that cardiovascular risk assessment of white females with apparently normal LDL cholesterol levels might be inconclusive without the measurement of apo B. High lipoprotein (a) levels in black females may not be so innocuous as previously thought, especially if it occurs in conjunction with high fibrinogen and high LDL cholesterol levels as seen in some subjects in the present study.

Die effek van “oefening op verskillende tye van die dag” op die bloedglukosevlakke van Tipe 2 diabete
Oosthuizen, P.J.Gouws, K. 77-86

Abstract: “Moderate intense physical activity reduces the risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus” (Lynch & Helmrich, 1996)
This paper reports on the effect of “the time of the day of exercise” on the blood glucose levels of Type 2 diabetic patients. Data were obtained from 30 Type 2 diabetics that exercised at the Centre for Diabetes and Endocrinology (Johannesburg, South Africa) under the supervision of Biokineticists (exercise scientists) for a 10 day period. The results of three groups who exercised (respectively) in the mornings, afternoons and evenings were compared. The group which exercised in the evening showed the best improvement in blood glucose levels. Their blood glucose level decreased with an average of 1.4 mmol/L over a 10 day period exercise program. Those exercising in the afternoon and morning had a decrease in blood glucose levels of 1.3 mmol/L and 0.6 mmol/L respectively. Looking at the changes that occured during exercise, the morning group showed a decrease of 3.3 mmol/L in blood glucose level. Corresponding decreases of the afternoon and evening group were 1.9 and 1.5 mmol/L. Apart from supporting the theory of Lynch & Helmrich (1996), this study strongly shows that “the time of the day of exercise” do have an effect on the blood glucose levels of Type 2 diabetes! To conclude the study, recommendations for further research in this regard are made.

Cognitive strategies used by marathoners in each quartile of a training run
Schomer, H.H.Connolly, M.J. 87-100

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to establish whether marathoners associate or dissociate more in particular quartiles of a training run. Sixty tape transcriptions of on-the-spot verbalised thoughts of 31 runners which had been collected during training runs were divided into quartiles and analysed according to thought categories. The 60 transcriptions were then further divided into four sub-groups based on the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) given by the runners after their training run recording sessions. Finally, the various cognitive strategies used by male runners were compared to those used by female runners. The results indicated significant differences in the cognitive strategies used in each quartile of all 60 transcriptions, and for groups with a RPE of 11-12, 13-14 and 15-18. Significant differences were also found in certain categories of thoughts for male and female runners.

Batting related experiences of South African universities cricketers
Slogrove, L.Potgieter, J.R.Foxcroft, C.D. 101-112

Abstract: In order to substantiate qualitative data gained regarding the cognitions, feelings and behaviours experienced by three potentially elite top-order cricket batsmen, a quantitative post hoc study was undertaken. One hundred and ten South African Universities (SAU) cricketers completed the Mental Processes During Batting in Cricket questionnaire which was drawn up by the first author from a summary of nine in-depth interviews with three case study participants. The five most strongly supported batting related experiences of the SAU cricketers were: playing of each delivery on its merit; feeling a sudden rush of nervousness when having to bat; expecting to be perfect in their batting; using a pre-delivery routine before facing their first delivery in an innings; and an over-analysis of their batting when in bad form.

Application of relationship marketing in non-profit organisations involved in the provision of sport and recreational services
Terblanche, N.S.Malan, J.H. 113-130

Abstract: The marketing literature of the past decade contains many articles dealing with strategies and tactics by means of which organisations could enhance and increase the duration of their interaction with customers. The concept of relationship marketing was born from this need for long-term interaction with customers. A variety of factors have over time contributed to a need for marketing in non-profit organisations, such as non-profit sports clubs and recreation centres at local and school levels, to offset the decrease in income and membership many of these organisations experienced.