Die onderlinge verwantskap tussen die fisieke aktiwiteits-, koronêre risiko- en uitbrandingsindeks by die Suid-Afrikaanse uitvoerende amptenaar

Bezuidenhout, Rupert; Strydom Gert, L.; Dreyer Lukas, I.; Van der Merwe, Hans J.

Abstract: The associations between physical activity, coronary risk-index and burnout, with specific focus on the role of physical activity on the coronary risk-burnout relationship, were studied. Altogether 833 white South African male executives were evaluated by a self-report physical activity index, coronary risk index and burnout index questionnaire. The high- (≥1000kcal.week^-1) and moderate active (151-999kcal.week^-1) executives reported statistically significant less (p≤0.05) burnout in comparison with their low active (≤150kcal.week^-1) colleagues. Moderate and high physical activity levels were statistically related (p≤0.05) to a reduction in the coronary risk-index. Similarly, burnout had a strong statistically significant influence (p≤0.05) on the development of coronary heart disease. Finally, physical activity portrayed a statistically significant (p≤0.05) reduction in the coronary risk-index within low, moderate and high burnout executives, but failed to influence the burnout-coronary risk relationship between the different burnout groups. It is concluded that although physical activity does not influence the burnout-coronary risk relationship between different burnout groups significantly, it does seem to have a beneficial effect on the reduction of the coronary risk-index within different burnout groups.

 

 

An assessment of the physical fitness and coronary heart disease risk factors of white females in the Zululand area that attend health and fitness clubs

Coetsee, Marius F.

Abstract: Health and fitness clubs play an important role in addressing the causes of hypokinetic diseases and coronary heart disease (CHD). In order to be well prepared, service providers should be aware of the health and fitness profiles of their clients when they join their clubs. In the current study 243 white female subjects between ages 13 to 70 years were assessed, the results analysed for risk factors and the findings compared with existing norms in literature. This study found that 19.8% of subjects smoked > 10 cigarettes per day which is a cause for concern. Although this is lower than the general female population of Durban the current subjects joined a health and fitness centre and could thus be regarded as health conscious. Before joining almost half (49.4%) of the subjects were inactive. The incidence of hypertension (systolic >140 mmHg and/or diastolic > 90 mmHg) as a risk factor for (CHD) among 16.5% of subjects was relatively low when compared to that reported for females in Durban. Cholesterol levels were also lower than the average for Durban females because 28.6% of the subjects were found to be borderline (5.2-6.2 mmol.l^-1) and 16.7% to be of a high risk (>6.2 mmol.l^-1). When using BMI, 19.3% of subjects were > 37.3 kg.m^-2 and therefore in a high-risk group for CHD. Multiple risk factor analysis revealed that 42.0% of subjects displayed two or more risk factors for CHD while 12.0% had three or more and 2.0% had four or more.

 

 

Physical exercise and psychological wellness in health club members: a comparative and longitudinal study

Edwards, Stephen D.

Abstract: This paper constitutes a comparative and longitudinal investigation of physical exercise and psychological wellness in a sample of health club members in Zululand, South Africa. The research was contextualized within a public health and community psychological model of mental health promotion. Physical exercise was categorized as regular or irregular, depending upon whether it met the criterion of exercising for an average of thirty minutes a day at least three times per week or not. A Wellness Profile was constructed from various questionnaires chosen on the basis of their relationship with the general construct of psychological wellness and administered to samples of health club members and university students. In the comparative investigation, health club members were more psychologically well than university students. Whether they were members of a health club or not, participants who were regular exercisers were found to be more psychologically well than irregular exercisers. In the longitudinal investigation, health club members who exercised regularly over a period of two or more months increased significantly in psychological wellness. The significance of the findings in themselves and for the promotion of public and mental health is discussed.

 

 

Assessment of leisure and recreation research in Africa

Goslin, Anneliese

Abstract: Leisure and recreation are now accepted as identifiable research areas. Retrospective and prospective assessments of research in the field are therefore not only desirable but also necessary to consolidate what has been learned, clarify concepts and theories and provide a focus for future research. No such assessments have appeared over the last two decades in Africa. This might be a reason why leisure and recreation research here have not yet achieved the same scholarly level and diversity as in North America. The research assessment framework of Goodale and Witt has been applied to retrospectively assess the published scholarly work in the fields of leisure and recreation for the period 1980-2002 and to prospectively ascertain the opinions of 86 active scholars and practitioners in the relevant fields on future research directions in 10 African countries. The overall assessment suggests a moderate growth in quantity, weaknesses in conceptualisation and theory development and an ad hoc and eclectic approach with no real principal issues for future research. Recorded research has a short-term focus and is mostly of the fact-finding type and results are not disseminated adequately. The disciplinary roots of the research lie in the social sciences. The main barrier to the development of research seems to be the uninformed or partially informed attitude of members of the public and decision makers regarding the role and value of recreation in society.

 

 

Fisieke aktiwiteit, lewenstyl en gesondheidstatus by swart manlike middelvlakbestuurders

Laubscher, Rines; Strydom, Gert L.; Dreyer, Lukas I.

Abstract: Optimal health could be significantly influenced by parameters such as physical activity and a healthy lifestyle. The objective of this study was to determine whether a relationship exists between leisure-time physical activity, lifestyle and health status of black male midlevel managers. Two hundred and twenty one (221) participants were selected from black midlevel management in a company in the public sector of the North West Province. The type, intensity, frequency and duration of participation in leisure time physical activity were determined by the physical activity index (PAI) as suggested by Sharkey. The lifestyle habits and health status were determined by using the Belloc and Breslow index (BB) and the illness rating scale (IRS) of Wyler et al. respectively. Analyses of data indicated significant differences between physical activity and lifestyle as well as between lifestyle and health status. No significant differences between physical activity and health status were present. A multiple regression analyses indicated a relationship between sleep patterns and health. The health status of the employees could be improved by the implementation of physical intervention programmes, which could be beneficial for the company on the long-term.

 

 

Elite coaches' perceptions of the characteristics of decision-making that discriminate between expert and novice basketball players

Lyoka, Philemon A.; Bressan, Elizabeth S.

Abstract: This study was aimed at discovering what elite coaches perceive to be the critical characteristics of decision-making that distinguish expert players from novices in basketball. A qualitative method of inquiry (the long interview) was followed. The data were gathered during interviews with five elite coaches. A framework to define decision-making was created through a systematic analysis of the data by two investigators with substantial background in top-level basketball. The key discriminating variables as defined by the elite coaches were: Anticipation (experts know where to look and have the ability to read the game better than novices); cognitive knowledge (experts have a more comprehensive knowledge of the rules and of tactics), self-knowledge (experts have more accurate sense of their own abilities) and the quality of memory processes (experts make decisions faster than novices and show more adaptability in their decision-making). The results of this research confirm expert-novice differences in anticipation and quality of memory processes found in other studies of decision-making in sport. The results also underscore the importance of knowledge structures - declarative, procedural and personal - in the development of expertise in sport performance.

 

 

The contribution of self-efficacy and outcome expectations in the prediction of exercise adherence

Malherbe, Dawid G.; Steel, Henry R.; Theron, Wilhelmina H.

Abstract: The positive contribution of physical activity and exercise to physical and mental health is widely acknowledged. However, participation in sport and exercise is not as high as would be expected. In addition to this, people who start exercising often do not adhere to their exercise programme. This study examined the effectiveness of Bandura's self-efficacy theory to predict exercise adherence. A sample of new members at a gymnasium was assessed on a Physical Self-Efficacy Scale, an Adherence Efficacy Scale and an Outcome Expectancy Scale. The dependent variable, exercise adherence, was assessed by monitoring the intended and actual frequency of visits to the gymnasium. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to test the hypotheses. Results indicated that physical self-efficacy was a significant predictor of exercise adherence for the total group as well as for the females seperately. For the males adherence efficacy was a significant predictor. The results partly confirm the self-efficacy theory of Bandura and underline the importance of assessing different dimensions of self-efficacy in adherence research.

 

 

An analysis of skills required for selected sectors of the tourism industry

Saayman, Melville; Geldenhuys, Susan

Abstract: Tourism is a relative newcomer to the academic repertoire and literature on the subject revealed a plethora of issues which need to be addressed when offering training programmes in tourism and hospitality studies. One of the most significant problems is the fact that tourism educators, guided by their individual biases, design tourism curricula with little or no input from the industry. The aim of the research is to determine what skills are required by industry for travel agents, tour operators and tourist guides. A two-pronged approach was followed: A literature study as well as a survey. For the survey a questionnaire, covering a wide range of variables divided into eight categories, was used to obtain the opinions of travel agents, tour operators and tourist guides. The surveys were conducted as structured telephonic interviews with representatives of cities and towns in Gauteng Province, Republic of South Africa. The results indicate which aspects are rated as important by the industry that should be included in tourism curricula. The results were divided into three categories namely tourism specific, general and business knowledge.

 

 

Thought sampling of cricketers during batting

Slogrove, Lynn; Potgieter, Justus R.; Foxcroft, Cheryl D.

Abstract: Researchers and practitioners have expressed the need for the use of qualitative methodological techniques in sports psychology research. In response to this challenge, the authors applied a multiple-case study research strategy and in-depth interviews to identify the experiences of three potentially elite, top-order cricket batsmen during batting. The content analysis of the thought-sampling data obtained from nine interviews (i.e., a baseline interview followed by interviews subsequent to one good and one poor batting innings for each participant) revealed three major dimensions, namely, cognitions, affect and related behaviours. Within the cognitive dimension, four categories were identified, namely, task-focused thoughts, where strategy thoughts were predominant, positive / motivational thoughts such as self-praise, negative / inappropriate thoughts such as premeditation of shots and worries and doubts, and lastly, assorted thoughts. The affect dimension comprised categories of positive / normal affective states and negative affective states. The categories of related behaviours were batting strategy, behavioural routines, inter-personal issues, observation, physical practice, reaction to unfavourable situations, visual focus and warm-up. Based on the findings of the study, implications for practice are outlined.

 

 

Die meting van assertiwiteit by netbalspelers

Venter, Ranel E.; Potgieter, Justus R.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to develop a questionnaire that measures the assertiveness of netball players. The identification of typical characteristics and assessment by experts regarding the correctness and technical presentation of the items resulted in a preliminary questionnaire. The item analysis for the reduction of items took place by applying the homogeneity approach and the correlation of the score of each item with the total score. Ninety-two senior netball players participated in the major phase of this study. The players completed the preliminary questionnaire on assertiveness as well as the South African Personality Questionnaire that served as criterion measure for establishing the validity of the final form of 22-items. Internal consistency reliability was determined by means of the split-half-method. Both the reliability (r = 0.834) and validity (r = 0.297; p < 0.01) of the instrument proved to be satisfactory. It was concluded that this questionnaire is suitable for use in a netball setting.