Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / Background In sport, competitive athletes are required to perform to the best of their ability, with some athletes seeking the use of chiropractic treatment to improve performance. For example, hockey players are required to perform at peak physical function whilst executing a drag flick. The action of a drag flick involves a player hunched over low down in front of the ball and the hook of the hockey stick makes contact with the ball, which is then ball is pushed along the ground with the ball moving slightly up the shaft of the stick. The player then performs ‘slinging’ action, which means they ‘flick’ the ball towards the goal posts. The drag flick is an explosive sequential movement involving the player’s pelvis, trunk and upper limbs, requiring the use of the spine to generate the speed of the stick and ball. As a result any decreased spinal movement could reduce performance. Therefore this study attempted to assess the use of spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) in improving the drag flicking performance of hockey players. SMT has been shown to be a safe and effective way of increasing spinal joint mobility Objectives To determine and compare the effect of placebo and spinal manipulative therapy in terms of subjective and objective measurements on drag flicking performance of premier league field hockey players. Methods A comparative, experimental study of forty asymptomatic premier league hockey drag flickers were divided into two groups of twenty each. Group A received SMT of fixated joints of the spine (cervical, thoracic and lumbar) as determined by motion palpation by an experienced qualified chiropractor. Group B received sham manipulation. Pre and post intervention ROM of the spine and drag flicking speed where measured using CROM, Inclinometer, BROM II and Speed TracX Speed Sport Radar. The subject’s perception of a change in drag flicking speed post intervention was also recorded. SPSS version 21 was used to analyse the data. A p value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Significant differences in ROM were noticed in the inter-group analysis in cervical: extension; LLF; RR PA, thoracic: extension; LLF, RLF, lumbar: extension, LLF, RLF. There was a significant increase in drag flicking speed post SMT, but between the SMT and sham manipulation groups were not significantly different. A significant correlation was seen between subjects’ perception of change in drag flicking speed post intervention and the objective results obtained. Conclusion The immediate effect of SMT on drag flicking performance of hockey players was inconclusive. The outcomes of this study suggests that SMT results in an increase in the average speed of drag flicking, however further larger studies are required to confirm this. / M

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic at the Durban University of Technology, 2009 / Objectives: When we consider the body position of a field hockey player, the lumbar spine is always in a flexed position, which combined with rotational movements during various hitting and pushing techniques, increases the strain upon the spine and surrounding muscles, thus leading to low back pain. To determine the relationship between core strength and trunk extensor endurance relating to the incidence of acute low back pain in field hockey players. Project Design: The research project was in the form of a quantitative cross-sectional study, using human subjects. Setting: The research project occurred during the field hockey season (2008) with players who had acute low back pain. The players were clinically assessed and subdivided into necessary groups at the Chiropractic Day Clinic at the Durban Institute of Technology. Subjects: Adult, male patients, aged between 18 and 30 years of age, playing premier field hockey. Out of the thirty players, 12 players have played in the National u/21 squad, 7 players have played in a Junior National team and 11 players have played senior provincial field hockey. Outcome measure: This included three tests. Firstly, the absolute difference of pressure from the reference value of 70mmHg (prone) and 40mmHg (supine) was used as the outcome measure on a Pressure Biofeedback Unit and length of time (in seconds), a correct contraction of the core stability muscles was maintained. Secondly, the length of time (in seconds) for Trunk Extensor Endurance. Thirdly, repeated measures for NRS-101 and Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale for the duration of the research period. v Results: It was found that there was no statistical evidence or convincing trend to show that the training programmes (core stability and trunk extensor endurance) increased the subjects’ core strength or trunk extensor endurance in the time allocated, although there seemed to be a placebo effect in the Trunk Extensor Group, which showed improvement in some of the core stability outcomes. There was statistical evidence that the intervention (training programmes) reduced pain, according to the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale (Quebec) score over time, and a non-significant trend suggested this according to the Numerical Rating Scale-101 (NRS). Since both groups’ NRS and Quebec scores were not significantly different at baseline, the difference can be attributed to the effect of the intervention. Conclusions: The results of this study found that the Trunk Extensor Endurance Group, that performed the trunk extensor endurance training programme, yielded better results in core stability and trunk extensor endurance. However, the Core Stability Group, that performed the core stability training programme, showed a quicker reduction in pain levels during the three week intervention period. Therefore, by combining both training programmes, future rehabilitation of athletes suffering from acute low back pain will be more successful. Sport performance of the athletes (field hockey players), through the proponents of swiss ball training, will also improve.

No description available.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic at the Durban University of Technology, 2009 / Objectives: When we consider the body position of a field hockey player, the lumbar spine is always in a flexed position, which combined with rotational movements during various hitting and pushing techniques, increases the strain upon the spine and surrounding muscles, thus leading to low back pain. To determine the relationship between core strength and trunk extensor endurance relating to the incidence of acute low back pain in field hockey players. Project Design: The research project was in the form of a quantitative cross-sectional study, using human subjects. Setting: The research project occurred during the field hockey season (2008) with players who had acute low back pain. The players were clinically assessed and subdivided into necessary groups at the Chiropractic Day Clinic at the Durban Institute of Technology. Subjects: Adult, male patients, aged between 18 and 30 years of age, playing premier field hockey. Out of the thirty players, 12 players have played in the National u/21 squad, 7 players have played in a Junior National team and 11 players have played senior provincial field hockey. Outcome measure: This included three tests. Firstly, the absolute difference of pressure from the reference value of 70mmHg (prone) and 40mmHg (supine) was used as the outcome measure on a Pressure Biofeedback Unit and length of time (in seconds), a correct contraction of the core stability muscles was maintained. Secondly, the length of time (in seconds) for Trunk Extensor Endurance. Thirdly, repeated measures for NRS-101 and Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale for the duration of the research period. v Results: It was found that there was no statistical evidence or convincing trend to show that the training programmes (core stability and trunk extensor endurance) increased the subjects’ core strength or trunk extensor endurance in the time allocated, although there seemed to be a placebo effect in the Trunk Extensor Group, which showed improvement in some of the core stability outcomes. There was statistical evidence that the intervention (training programmes) reduced pain, according to the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale (Quebec) score over time, and a non-significant trend suggested this according to the Numerical Rating Scale-101 (NRS). Since both groups’ NRS and Quebec scores were not significantly different at baseline, the difference can be attributed to the effect of the intervention. Conclusions: The results of this study found that the Trunk Extensor Endurance Group, that performed the trunk extensor endurance training programme, yielded better results in core stability and trunk extensor endurance. However, the Core Stability Group, that performed the core stability training programme, showed a quicker reduction in pain levels during the three week intervention period. Therefore, by combining both training programmes, future rehabilitation of athletes suffering from acute low back pain will be more successful. Sport performance of the athletes (field hockey players), through the proponents of swiss ball training, will also improve.

The purpose of-this investigation was to determine the effects of cognitive anxiety and physiological arousal on performance on a pre-determined motor task, and the application of the catastrophe model of anxiety and performance to women's field hockey. There were six subjects (three in group 1 and three in group 2). Cognitive and somatic anxiety values were measured before and after a one day competition using the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory2. Performance was evaluated before and after the one day competition using the motor task: shooting on goal. The data were analyzed using the ANOVA-Repeated Measures and thedifference among treatment conditions. It was apparent that physiological arousal, and the associated somatic anxiety, were not detrimental to performance on the pre-determined motor task when cognitive anxiety was low. However, when cognitive anxiety was high, performance on the pre-determined motor task was associated with catastrophic effects. / School of Physical Education

Thesis (M.A.)--University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 38). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 38).

M.Ed. (Educational Psychology) / Violence and aggression is a worldwide phenomenon in the sports industry, especially in team sports like hockey. Scant research has been done on the topic, namely how players of a team sport like hockey, experience aggression. This research aims to explore and describe secondary school learners' experiences of aggression in a sport like hockey. On the basis of the results, guidelines and recommendations were made to facilitate them in dealing with the aggression in the right ways. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design was used. Data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews, observations and field notes. Tesch's (1990) method for data analysis was used and a consensus discussion held with an independent coder. The uniqueness of this study is the exploration and description of secondary school students' experiences of aggression in a hockey team. The results clearly show that aggression is experienced on a regular basis during training or playing a game. The contributory factors include that aggression in hockey is experienced as a positive or negative incentive to achieve certain goals in the game, the coach's handling of spectators’ influence, and characteristics that contribute to hockey being a sport for discharging stress. The consequences of the aggression to players are emotional, psychological and physical in nature. It takes the form of fear, anger, frustration, powerlessness, helplessness and hopelessness. Further consequences are players’ absence from practices and games, the development of an I-do-not-care attitude and injuries. Guidelines for the managing of this phenomenon and recommendations for future research are described.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between task cohesion and social cohesion and performance of women's intercollegiate Division I field hockey teams. Twenty-six teams (n=26) from the 1989 season participated in this study, representing 32% of the total number of NCAA Division I teams. Specifically, team task cohesion and social cohesion measures from mid-season were compared to performance measures at the end of the season. The Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ) developed by Widmeyer, Brawley, and Carron (1985) was used to measure cohesion. Performance was measured by percentage of games won, and also by a power rating developed by the NCAA field hockey committee. The GEQ consists of four cohesion constructs, two task and two social. Each of the four scales was compared to each of the performance measures, as well as both task scales combined and both social scales combined. Median values for each teams' cohesion measures were correlated with performance measures using the Pearson Product Moment coefficient of correlation. The results indicated that task cohesion was significantly related to team performance. Social cohesion variables when compared to power rating, and the Group Integration-Social construct when compared to win/loss percentage were significantly related to performance. Although significant, the social cohesion results were considerably lower than the task cohesion results.

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic,Durban University of Technology, 2014. / Background The Functional Movement Screen (FMSTM) is a pre-participation screen consisting of seven tests that rate a player’s functional movement. The screen may be used as an indicator for injury susceptibility in sports people. This may be implemented for preventative measures and improving or sustaining performance in sport. Objectives This research aimed to identify normative values on the FMSTM for female premier league hockey players and assess the association between FMSTM scores and incidence of seasonal injuries. Secondary to this, the research also undertook to assess dependence of the FMSTM on other risk factors identified in the study such as age, number of years playing hockey, height, weight, BMI and position. These risk measures were also tested for association to injury susceptibility. Method The research evaluated the FMSTM score in female premier league hockey players in KwaZulu-Natal prior to the commencement of the competitive season and then tracked the incidence, frequency and distribution of injuries that were sustained during the season. All nine teams in the KwaZulu-Natal female premier hockey league were approached and the players voluntarily participated provided that they fitted the inclusion criteria. In total 74 players between the ages of 18 and 35 were assessed. SPSS version 20 was used in the data analysis to test for statistical significance of the results. Results and conclusions The research sample revealed a mean FMSTM score of 14.39 with a standard deviation of 2.4. The difference in average FMSTM score between the 18 players who sustained non-contact injuries during the course of the season and the 56 players who did not was shown to not be statistically significant at a 95% confidence level. Therefore, this research shows that no association can be made between a low score on the Functional Movement ScreenTM and injury susceptibility. The FMSTM score was shown to be an independent metric when compared to the other injury risk measures identified in the study and the other risk measures were also found to not reliably indicate injury susceptibility. Having said this, the association of weight, FMSTM and BMI with injury susceptibility warrants further investigation as these measures indicated a degree of association. / M