Submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophiae in psychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of Zululand, 2006. / It is widely documented that institutionalised children represent a vulnerable sector of the population as they carry a high risk for the development of psychological problems. Recently, there has been a surge of interest in the use of exercise as a medium for mental health promotion. Various studies have provided evidence that exercise improves general health, quality of life, mood, subjective well-being, self esteem, self perception and other attributes which influence mental health positively. However, there is little research done in the South African context with specific emphasis on children. It was against this backdrop that an investigation into the use of exercise as a medium of mental health promotion among institutionalised children was conducted. This study was contextualised within the community psychological model of mental health promotion with mental health being conceptualised as a subset of physical activities aimed at improving health and well-being. A quasi-experimental control group research design, with pre and post testing on self report measures of physical self-perception, depression and paediatric symptoms, was used to investigate the effectiveness of physical exercise as a medium for mental health promotion among institutionalised children in local children's homes. Focus groups were held with children and caregivers to obtain qualitative data. The exercise intervention was associated with significant improvements in the physical self-perception of the children and caretakers' ratings of children's behaviour. These findings provide a compelling argument for the value of exercise in the promotion of mental health in children's homes. / National Research Foundation

Thesis (M Sport Sc (Sport Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study investigated the exercise preferences of female university students participating in exercise modes presented at the local gymnasium and their expectations of the outcomes of such participation. Secondly, the study aimed to determine the most important reason for their participation and whether this was satisfied by their choice of exercise mode. A third aim was to determine other reasons that contributed to the selection of exercise environment and mode. The size of the research group of the pilot study was 210 (n=210). For the final longitudinal study, over a period of three years, it was 985 (N=985). The study population was selected on a basis of convenient sampling, availability and interest among young female gymnasium members, (aged 18 to 27 years). Their participation was voluntary. Original questionnaires were constructed for the purpose of the study to provide general demographic and physical characteristic information of the participants, their exercise preference and choice of exercise mode, reasons for participation in particular exercise modes, time spent on physical activity, frequency of attendance of exercise sessions, exercise motivators, barriers to exercise, medication and supplementation prevalence, health problems and smoking. The questionnaire was completed in a five to 10 minute time slot before the commencement of exercise classes at the gymnasium. Information required on the questionnaire was verbally explained to the participants during the initial few minutes of data capturing. Guidance was given for each section of the questionnaire during the five to 10 minute period allocated for completion. Data was captured on Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and the analysis was performed using Statistica for Windows (Statsoft SA-2008). Descriptive statistics were used to analyse and present the data. The results of the study indicated that most (34.4%) young female students who regularly attended group exercise sessions at the gymnasium preferred participating in the exercise modality punchline (a boxing aerobic modality), with the aim of losing weight (45%) and improving their general fitness (24%). / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van die studie was om die oefenvoorkeure en oefenverwagtinge van jong damestudente wat gereeld by die plaaslike universiteitgimnasium oefen, vas te stel. Tweedens wou die studie die belangrikste redes vir deelname bepaal, en of hierdie verwagting gerealiseer het met die keuse van oefenmodaliteite in hierdie oefenomgewing. 'n Derde doel was om vas te stel watter ander redes 'n bydrae sou maak tot die keuse van 'n oefenomgewing en oefenmodaliteite. Die navorsingspopulasiegroep was jong dames in 'n universiteitsomgewing. Tydens die verkennende studie was die getal kandidate 210 (n=210). Vir die finale longitudinale studie, oor ’n tydperk van 3 jaar, was dit 985 (N=985). Die jong dames by die spesifieke universiteitgimnasium is geselekteer op grond van beskikbaarheid en belangstelling in die navorsing en was tussen die ouderdom van 18 en 27 jaar. Hul deelname was vrywillig. 'n Vraelys is spesiaal vir hierdie navorsing opgestel. Die vraelys het inligting ingewin oor algemene demografiese aspekte en fisieke kenmerke van die deelnemers, oefenvoorkeure en verwagtings van oefenmodaliteite, redes vir die seleksie en deelname in oefenmodaliteite, tyd bestee aan oefening, frekwensie van deelname, motiveerders vir oefening, beperkende faktore ten opsigte van gereelde deelname aan fisieke aktiwiteit, medikasie en supplementasie gebruik, gesondheidsprobleme en rook. Die vraelyste is voltooi in die eerste vyf tot 10 minute van oefenklasse, voor die aanvang van die gereelde gimnasiumprogram. Inligting op die vraelys is verbaal aan die teikengroep verduidelik in die eerste paar minute van elke klas. Tydens hierdie tydperk is gereeld inligting oor elke vraag verskaf vir kontrole en akkuraatheid van voltooiing van die vraelys. Data oor die veranderlikes is in die rekenaarprogram Microsoft Excel gekodeer en die statistiese ontleding is deur middel van Statistica vir Windows (Statsoft SA 2008) gedoen. Beskrywende data is gebruik om die resultate te ontleed en aan te bied.

Title: Compensation programme for players national handball team In my thesis I am researching the muscle imbalance of athletes focused especially on playing national handball. My aim is to determine what the muscle imbalances are in the junior team and then creation of a compensating program which should help to remove or decrease the muscle imbalance. Once I have the compensating program created I will apply it to practice. The compensating program was based on analysis of the most active muscles in the body of National handball player. This thesis should be used as a part of a complex training for National handball players and should have a positive impact on the asymmetric load and also prevent development of the muscle imbalance. My thesis is based on a research which was done in the gym of ZŠ and MŠ in Nýřany. Keywords: national handball, testing, compensating program, muscle imbalance, stretching exercise, strengthening exercises

1 Abstrakt v angličtině The target of my work is to prove the functionality of the composed programme developing the take-off skills in children of early school age. The work comprises of 24 instruction sheets of work out, which may be used in lessons of physical education. This instruction set compiles of initial warm up, dynamic stretching, muscle and strength building, and finally practise. All work out phases are adjusted to children of early school age. The work out was piloted by the experimental group of 5th graders of one Prague elementary school. The data was collected twice a week for the period of three months. The indicator of the successful performance was the results of motor skill test of long jump with both legs. All the data has been collected by gathering and meassuring of childrens' weight, height, and performance. Each tested child performed the long jump three times and the best performance was selected. For the period of three months the experimental group of children was following the designed work out in order to improve their take-off skills. Contrary, the children in the second peer group followed the regular instruction of their form teacher. In three months time the children from the experimental group as well as the children from the second group were tested again. The results...

The thesis deals with the problem of group tasks in assessment centers. The theoretical part provides an overview to the basic characteristics of the method of assessment center, describes the process of designing and realization, and discusses in detail the issue of simulation exercises and group tasks. The empirical part focuses on relations among activity of participants during group tasks, their personal characteristics and experience with the method of assessment center. Key words: assessment center group tasks simulation excercise

The aim of this thesis is to summarize already published tutorials for experiments with the Vernier lab system and to write new tutorials respecting requirements and specifics of the Czech educational system. Six new detailed tutorials were prepared. All of them were, or would be, published on the Internet web site of The Framework Education Programmes (www.rvp.cz). Following tutorials were written: Bulb flickering, Warm-up of a compact fluorescent lamp, Relation between illumination and distance of the light source, Relation between illumination and number of filters, Why is salt used in the winter on the roads, Photochromic glasses. Each experiment is accompanied by a classification with respect to The Framework Education Programmes and by requirements for The State High School Leaving Exam (``maturita'').

Title: The ifluence of active and passive recovery for repetitive short-term motorised exercise Objectives: To explore and discover the influence of active and passive recovery for repetitive short-term motorised exercise. Methods: Research of the professional publications used during the process. Target group sample consists of female footballers of FK Dukla Praha, who actively play the chosen sport - football. The entire sample were divided into two groups containing 5 members. Each group completed 2 tests with a different type of recovery and a 48 hour break. The results were measured with a photocell and then evaluated and utilised. Results: We discovered that during repetitive short-term motorised exercise passive recovery is better than active recovery. For passive recovery, the overall average of the measured values of 10.6 and active recovery, it was 10.67. Keywords: active recovery, passive recovery, motorised excercise, agilities of performance

Tendo em vista o grande numero de cavalos praticantes de atividades físicas altamente competitivas, a necessidade de se acompanhar o treinamento e a observação dos efeitos do treinamento no rendimento atlético dos animais, foi proposta a padronização de um teste incremental de esforço máximo a campo para cavalos adaptado do UM-TrackTest proposto para humanos. Para tanto foram utilizados 10 animais da raça Brasileiro de Hipismo, alojados em uma única vila hípica e submetidos ao mesmo manejo nutricional e de treinamento. Foram avaliados parâmetros bioquímicos (CK, LDH, lactato circulante e glicemia circulante) e sanguíneos (numero total de hemácias, concentração de hemoglobina circulante e hematócrito) ao final de cada estágio de aceleração onde as velocidades foram mantidas através de um sinal sonoro e marcações na pista de teste eqüidistantes a 50 metros. A análise estatística dos resultados obtidos das amostras colhidas demonstrou correlação de todas as variáveis analisadas em relação à intensidade do exercício quando comparadas ao repouso exceto a analise de CK e LDH que não mostrou alterações significantes durante todo o teste ( p = 0,5205 e p = 0,7913 respectivamente). O lactato apresentou uma correlação positiva (p = 0,000) em relação a FC e esta uma correlação positiva (p = 0,000) com relação a intensidade. Numero de hemácias circulantes (p = 0,000), concentração de hemoglobina circulante (p = 0,002) e hematócrito (p = 0,000) também tiveram correlação positiva com à intensidade. Com relação à glicemia observou-se uma correlação negativa significante com a FC (p = 0,003 e r = -0,312). O teste proposto demonstrou ser uma ferramenta de fácil aplicação e de reprodução a campo, permitiu a observação e constatação do limiar de lactato e permitiu a observação e avaliação das interações e inter-relações dos sistemas orgânicos mais relevantes durante o exercício. / In a view of the larger number of horses that practice highly competitive physical activities, the need to monitor the training and observation of the effects of training in athletic performance of the animals, it was proposed to develop a standard test for incremental maximum effort at the field for horses adapted to UM-TrackTest proposed for humans. To achieve this purpose, 10 animals of the breed of Brazilian Equestrian, housed in a single town riding and submitted at the same nutritional management and the same training. Biochemical (CK, LDH, lactate and glucose circulating stock) and hematologic parameters (total number of red blood cells, concentration of hemoglobin and hematocrit) were evaluated at the end of each stage of acceleration where the speeds were maintained through a sound and markings in equidistant test track at 50 meters. Statistical analysis of the results of samples taken showed correlation of all variables in relation to the intensity of physical exercise when compared to resting status at the end of exercise, except for review of CK and LDH that showed no significant changes throughout the test (p = 0.5205 and p = 0.7913 respectively). The lactate showed a positive correlation (p = 0000) compared to HR and HR showed a positive correlation (p = 0000) with regard to intensity. Number of circulating red blood cells (p = 0000), circulating concentration of hemoglobin (p = 0002) and hematocrit (p = 0000) also had positive correlation with the intensity. With regard to glycemic there was a significant negative correlation with HR (p = 0003 and r = -0312). The proposed test proved to be a tool for easy application that can be applied on the field, allows the observation and finding the lactate threshold and allowed the observation and evaluation of the interactions and inter-relationships of organic systems more relevant during exercise.

As modalidades esportivas equestres exigem cada vez mais cavalos com alto desempenho. Portanto o conhecimento das principais adaptações dos sistemas envolvidos na melhora do desempenho (muscular, pulmonar e cardiocirculatório) se faz necessário. Há diversos estudos na literatura sobre a adaptação do sistema muscular e respiratório em equinos, porém os poucos estudos existentes que envolvam o sistema cardiocirculatório durante o exercício o referem-se apenas a alterações de ritmo. O número de trabalhos científios é ainda mais escasso quando se pesquisa a interação do treinamento físico com o sistema cardiocirculatório. O presente estudo tem por objetivo caracterizar as principais alterações cardiocirculatórias decorrentes da prática de atividade física contínua em intensidade leve a moderada por um período de 90 dias de treinamento aeróbico. Para isso foram avaliados nove equinos, da raça Árabe e Cruzados Árabes, machos ou fêmeas, adultos, em início das atividades de treinamento para prática de enduro, sendo cinco treinados a campo e quatro treinados em esteira de velocidade a 60% da frequência cardíaca máxima por 90 dias. Podemos concluir no presente estudo que o treinamento aeróbico num período de 90 dias já é suficiente para promover hipertrofia da parede livre do ventrículo esquerdo melhorando a força de contração cardíaca. Essa, por sua vez, permite o aumento do volume ejetado pelo ventrículo esquerdo tendo como consequência um melhor fornecimento de oxigênio e nutrientes para a musculatura que está sendo utilizada para a atividade física levando a melhora dos parâmetros de desempenho (lactato, limiar de lactato, FC, V200, PCO2). No mesmo período se observa a diminuição da FC tanto de repouso como durante a prática de atividade física e diminuição do DC, PAS e PAM. Os resultados sugerem que assim como observado em ratos e em atletas a diminuição da PAS se dá pela diminuição do DC por ação do cronotropismo negativo. / Equestrian sports are increasingly demanding high performance horses. Therefore the knowledge of the main adaptations of the systems involved in the improvement of performance (muscle, lung and cardiocirculatory) is required. There are several studies in the literature on the adaptation of muscle and respiratory system in horses, but the few studies involving the cardio-circulatory system during exercise refers only to arrhythmic events. The number of studies is even sparse when researching the interaction of physical training with the cardiocirculatory system . The present study aims to characterize the main cardiovascular changes resulting from the practice of continuous physical activity in mild to moderate for a period of 90 days of aerobic training intensity. Nine horses were evaluated , arab and crusader arab breed, male or female , adult , in the beginning of training activities for practicing endurance, five trained to field and four trained treadmill speed at 60 % of maximum heart rate for 90 days. We can conclude in this study that aerobic training within 90 days is enough to promote hypertrophy of the free wall of the left ventricle to improve the strength of cardiac contraction. This improvement increases the volume ejected by the left ventricle resulting in a better supply of oxygen and nutrients to the muscles being used for physical activity leading to improvement in performance parameters (lactate, lactate threshold, FC, V200, PCO2). In the same period we observe a decrease in heart rate both at rest and during physical activity and decreased DC, SBP and MBP. The results suggest that as observed in rats and athletes decreased SBP occurs by decreasing the DC for the negative chronotropic action.

This thesis describes a series of studies in which ultrasound was used to measure muscle activity around the shoulder. The preliminary studies used professional musicians as subjects because the chronic nature of their problems with shoulder muscles offered an opportunity to test the usefulness of ultrasound in a changing physical environment. Once protocols, reliability, validity and sensitivity to change were established, the main study focused on ?normal? subjects in order to explore ?normal? variability.