Hamstring injuries have a high prevalence in rugby union players. Delayed transverse abdominus activation as well as lordosis is associated with hamstring injuries. No literature regarding this relationship in rugby players could have been found. The main purpose of this study was therefore to determine the relationship between pelvic biomechanics (transverse abdominus activation and pelvis tilt) and gluteus maximus, hamstring and erector spinae activation patterns in semi–professional rugby union players as well as the relationship of the above mentioned variables and hamstring injuries. A total of 65 players voluntarily participated in this study. Pelvis tilt (left and right) was assessed by Dartfish version 4.06.0 (Dartfish, Switzerland). Transverse abdominus activation (TrA) was assessed by pressure biofeedback and the mean onset times of the left and right gluteus maximus (GM), biceps femoris (BF), semitendinosus (ST) and lumbar erector spinae (LES) was measured with electromyography (EMG). In order to determine the role of the pelvic biomechanics and activation patterns on hamstring injuries, players were retrospectively grouped in injured and uninjured groups. Differences between the groups were determined with regards to the variables determined. Activation patterns were determined by means of descriptive statistics. The between–group pelvic biomechanic (pelvic tilt and TrA) differences in the muscle (GM, LES and hamstrings) onset times were analysed by determining practical significance by means of effect sizes. An anterior pelvic tilt on the left side was observed in 64.6% of the participants and on the right side in 83.1% of the participants. TrA testing indicated that 68.4% of participants were classified with bad activation and 31.6% with good activation. No practical significant difference was found in the mean onset times of each muscle relative to the other in the normal and anterior tilted pelvis groups as well as in the bad and good TrA groups. A total of 24.6% of the rugby players previously suffered from hamstring injuries, 37.5% of those injured participants were suffering from re–injury. No practical significant between group differences were found when the injured and uninjured groups were compared with regards to anterior pelvis tilt values (d=0.061) and TrA values (d=0.189). EMG results on the right and left side of the injured and uninjured participants present a pattern of the following activation order: LES, GM, BF and lastly ST. No practical significant between groups differences were found in the onset times of the muscles relative to each other in the injured compared to uninjured groups. The conclusions that can be drawn from this study is that semi–professional rugby union players (injured and uninjured) are prone to postural defects such as anterior tilt of the pelvis and bad TrA. Anterior pelvic tilt and bad TrA may be the reason for the earlier activation of the LES and hamstrings muscles relative to the GM in the prone hip extension to stabilize the lumbar spine. These activation patterns were however not influenced by previous hamstring injuries. / Thesis (M.A. (Biokinetics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Due to the prevailing pandemic in connection with Covid-19, irrational decisions occur, and people start panicking. As a result, there is a very high demand from grocery stores due to customers hoarding ICA:s goods, which results in an even greater panic in people who do not perceive the problems that arise at the stores. For the stores, this means that the flow of goods from suppliers to the stores has been subjected to incredible pressure. The purpose of this study is divided into two different questions, which aims to describe how the working methods of the staff have changed as a result of Covid-19, in addition the study also wants to explain how communication between the stores and suppliers work. To answer these questions, interviews are conducted with staff at five different stores of three sizes.  Furthermore, the results are then analyzed using thematic analysis and modeling. It can be stated that the working methods of the various stores have been involving social distancing to the customers and the tasks for the staff have been shifted. The biggest difference for the ICA organization as a result of Covid-19 has been the communication with suppliers which usually happens through an automatic purchasing system, which has not worked sufficiently and as a result, the entire customer demand has not been satisfied. / På grund av den rådande pandemin i samband med Covid-19 så förekommer orationella beslut och människor får panik. Som resultat av detta så byggs det upp en mycket stor efterfrågan hos matvarubutiker på grund av att kunderna hamstrar ICA:s varor vilket resulterar i att en ännu större panik uppstår hos människor som inte uppfattar dom problem som då uppkommer hos butikerna. Från butikernas sida så medför detta att varuflöden från leverantörer till butikerna utsatts för otroligt stor press. Syftet med denna studie är uppdelad i två olika frågor vilket har som mål att beskriva hur arbetssättet för personalen har förändrats som följd av Covid-19, dessutom vill studien också förklara hur kommunikationen mellan butikerna och leverantörerna fungerar. För att besvara dessa frågor så genomförs intervjuer med personal på fem olika butiker av tre storlekar. Vidare så analyseras resultaten med hjälp utav en tematisk analys och modellering. Det kan fastslås att arbetssätten hos dom olika butikerna har varit stor med social distansering till kunder och arbetsuppgifterna har fått skifta inriktning. Den största skillnaden för ICA organisationen som följd av Covid-19 har varit kommunikationen med leverantörer som i vanliga fall sker genom ett automatiskt inköpssystem inte har fungerat tillräckligt och som resultat har det medfört att efterfrågan från kunderna inte har kunnat tillfredsställas.

The Corona pandemic and its need for social distancing and feelings of fear have affected consumers worldwide and their shopping practices when it comes to food and groceries. Previous research has shown that in normal conditions it is difficult to change shopping practices and consumers routines, but that major changes in the outside world led to new or changing practices. Changed food shopping practices are a consequence of the Corona pandemic and there is a gap in previous studies when it comes to crises in the form of pandemics as they are highly unusual. The purpose of this study is to understand how consumers have changed their food shopping as a result of the pandemic from a practice theoretical perspective. We want to give an insight into where, when and how the consumer buys groceries, but also try to understand what it is that drives the consumer to a certain form of food shopping in crises in the form of a pandemic. To study this, we have used a practice theoretical perspective and conceptualized food shopping as a social practice. The analysis was based on a qualitative method in the form of a combination of focus groups and individual interviews. The study involved 23 participants divided into four focus interviews, five individual interviews and one interview with two ICA suppliers/consultants. By applying a practice-theoretical perspective to food shopping practices, the study was able to provide an insight into how consumers have changed their food shopping as a result of the pandemic and what drives the consumers to do so. The study shows that food shopping practices have changed during the pandemic and that societal crises to this extent can change strongly implemented and routinized patterns. We found that hoarding was a consequence and can be motivated by fear and “the herd effect”. At the same time, it is a concept with negative and shameful associations. We also found an increase in e-commerce. This was justified by the fact that the consumer’s main motive for shopping online was due to the risk of infecting or becoming infected themselves. Another change in food shopping practices that we observed was shopping with protection. Lastly, we found a new form of shopping called collective shopping, which is a practice that occurs temporarily and may involve a transition back to the normal state. The results of the study aim to contribute to knowledge for marketers and other practitioners to prepare society for disruptions due to other pandemics in the future. / Coronapandemin och dess följder har lett till ett behov av social distansering och känslor av rädsla har påverkat konsumenter världen över och deras shoppingpraktiker när det kommer till dagligvaror. Tidigare forskning har visat att det i normala tillstånd är svårt att förändra shoppingpraktiker och konsumenters rutiner men att större förändringar i omvärlden kan bidra till nya eller förändrade praktiker. Förändrade matshoppingpraktiker är en följd av Coronapandemin och det finns ett gap i tidigare studier när det kommer till kriser i form av pandemier då de är högst ovanliga. Syftet med denna studie är att förstå hur konsumenter har förändrat sin matshopping till följd av pandemin utifrån ett praktiksteoretiskt perspektiv. Vi vill ge en inblick i var, när och hur konsumenten handlar dagligvaror, men också försöka förstå vad det är som är driver konsumenten till en viss form av matshopping i kriser i form av en pandemi. För att studera detta har vi använt oss av ett praktikteoretiskt perspektiv och konceptualiserat matshopping som en social praktik. Analysen baserades på en kvalitativ metod i form av en kombination av fokusgrupper och enskilda intervjuer. I studien deltog 23 deltagare uppdelade i fyra fokusintervjuer, fem enskilda intervjuer och en intervju med två ICA-leverantörer/konsulter. Genom att applicera ett praktikteoretiskt perspektiv på matshoppingpraktiker kunde studien ge en insikt i hur konsumenter har förändrat sin matshopping till följd av pandemin och vad som driver konsumenten till det. Studien visar att matshoppingpraktiker har förändrats under pandemins gång och att samhällskriser i denna omfattning kan förändra starkt implementerade och rutiniserade mönster. Vi fann att hamstring var en följd av pandemin och kan motiveras med bland annat rädsla och “the herd effect”. Samtidigt är det ett begrepp med negativa kopplingar och som tycks vara skambelagt. Vi fann även en ökning av e-handel. Detta motiverades med att konsumentens viktigaste motiv till att handla just online var att minska kontakt med andra människor på grund av risken för att smitta, eller själva bli smittade. Ytterligare en förändring i matshoppingpraktiker som vi uppmärksammade var att handla med skydd. Slutligen fann vi en ny form av shopping kallad för kollektiv shopping, vilket är en praktik som sker tillfälligt och kan därmed innebära en övergång tillbaka till det normala tillståndet. Studiens resultat ämnar bidra med kunskap för marknadsförare och andra utövare för att förbereda samhället inför störningar till följd av andra pandemier i framtiden.

Background: Epidemiological findings indicate a higher risk of muscular thigh strain injury during the latter stages of both halves of soccer match-play, with muscular fatigue highlighted as a key etiological factor in injury causation. Anthropometric, biomechanical and physiological differences present in the Black African population may elicit unique thigh injury risk profiles, different from those of European and American players. Objectives: The purpose of the current research was to investigate the impact of soccer-specific fatigue on the risk of hamstring and quadricep injury in amateur Black African soccer players, in both the dominant and non-dominant legs. Methods: Participants were required to perform a soccer matchplay simulation (SAFT⁹⁰), consisting of multidirectional and utility movements, as well as frequent acceleration and deceleration. Selected physical, physiological and psychophysical responses were collected at specific time intervals throughout fatigue protocol performance. Results: Heart rate responses were observed to increase significantly (p<0.05) in response to the start of both halves, and remain elevated (but showing no further significant increase) during the performance of the remainder of the fatigue protocol. Significant (p<0.05) changes in both concentric and eccentric isokinetic variables of the knee flexors and extensors highlight the effect of muscular fatigue on performance in soccer match-play. Eccentric hamstring peak torque was observed to decrease significantly over time (60°.s⁻ₑ=17.34%, 180°.s⁻ₑ=18.27%), with significant reductions observed during both halves. The functional H:Q ratio at 180°.s⁻ₑ indicated a significant decrease over time (10.04%), with a significant decrease indicated during the second half of the SAFT⁹⁰ protocol. The passive half time interval did not result in significant changes in isokinetic variables. Isokinetic strength, work and power indicated no significant effects of leg dominance.. ‘Central’ and ‘Local’ ratings of exertion were observed to increase significantly (p<0.05) as a function of exercise duration. Conclusion: The overall reduction in both the eccentric hamstring peak torque and the functional strength ratio was illustrated to be similar to that of other soccer-specific fatigue research. As a result, the risk of thigh strain injuries is suggested to be similar regardless of playing level and race. These time dependent changes may have implications for competitive performance and increased predisposition to hamstring strain injuries during the latter stages of both halves of match-play

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