Falls are the most frequent cause of unintentional injuries among older adults; afflicting 30 percent of persons aged 65 and older and more than 50 percent of persons aged 85 and older. There is a serious need for strategies to prevent falls in elderly individuals, but an important challenge in fall prevention is the paucity of objective evidence regarding the mechanisms that lead directly to falls. There exists no mechanisms about how to predict and manage elderly falls, which has multifactorial risk factors associated with its occurrence in the elderly. As the U.S. population continues to age, both the number of falls as well as the cost of treatment of fall injuries will continue to grow. Decades of research in fall prevention has not led to a decrease in the fall incidence; thus new strategies need to be introduced to understand and prevent falls. Aging reduces the adaptability of various physical and environmental stressors that hinder stability and balance maintenance and may therefore result in a fall. Movement variability in an individual's task performance can be used to assess the limitations of the movement control system. Maintaining variation in movement engenders flexible and adaptable modalities for elderly individuals to prevent falls in an unpredictable and ever changing external environment. Conversely, excessive variability of movement may drive the control system closer to its stability limits during balance and walking tasks. Accordingly, inertial sensors are an emerging wearable technology that can facilitate noninvasive monitoring of fall prone individuals in clinical settings. This research examined the potential of inertial sensors for use in clinical settings, and evaluated their effectiveness in comparison to mature laboratory systems (i.e., force platform and camera system). Study findings showed a relationship between movement variability and fall risk among healthy young and older adults. Further, the outcomes of this work translates to the clinical environment to better understand the health status (leading to frailty) of cardiac patients; reflected by the underlying adaptability of the control system, but requires further improvements if to be used as robust clinical tool. This research provides the groundwork for rapid clinical assessments in which its validity and robustness should be investigated in future efforts. / Ph. D.

Dissertation (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study explored the potential of competitive games and cooperative games as means for teaching adolescent girls some of the concepts that support cooperation. Hellison's (1995) levels for teaching responsibility were used as guidelines for selecting specific teaching strategies. The intervention consisted of a theme-oriented intervention programme presented to two experimental groups. One group (n = 9) participated in a games programme that consisted of competitive activities and the other group (n = 9) participated in a games programme that consisted of cooperative activities. The experimental groups were presented with theme-oriented lessons based on four concepts that support cooperation: sportsmanship, communication, trust and responsibility. A control group (n = 18) was also identified and used for statistical comparisons. In order to set a context for this study, background information was gathered using a questionnaire to determine how girls from the school (N = 194) felt about competitive games and sports. Three measurement instruments were used to collect data. The assessment of how the girls at the school felt about competitive games and sport was completed, using Gill & Deeter's (1988) Sport Orientation Questionnaire (SOQ). Pre- and posttesting of the girls in the experimental groups also included the SOQ. Harter's (1985) Self-perception Profile was used to measure perceptions of perceived social acceptance. Soudan and Everett's (1981) 24-item questionnaire was used to determine any changes in how the girls in the experimental groups perceived the benefits of participation in physical activity. Results of the Sport Orientation Questionnaire for High School Girls (N = 194) indicate that the girls like competitive activities and enjoy competing, but for them, it is more important to set personal goals in competitive games than it is to win. Following the comparison between pre- and post-test data, it was concluded that the theme-oriented competitive games programme had an effect on how the girls feel about participation in games and sports. They became significantly less competitive in their orientation. No changes were noted in their perceived social acceptance. A significant increase in their perception that participation in sport and physical activity has social benefits as well as benefits in preparing them for a career/job were noted. The theme-oriented cooperative games programme also had a significant effect on how the girls feel about participation in games and sports. The competitive nature and win orientation of the girls participating in the cooperative games programme significantly decreased. No changes were noted in their social acceptance. There was a significant increase in their perception that participation in sport and physical activity has health and fitness benefits. Results on comparing the groups indicate that the perceived athletic competence of the competitive group increased significantly when compared to the cooperative group. No other changes were noted. A themeoriented approach to teaching children about cooperation in a competitive and/or cooperative environment seems to be an effective strategy. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie het die potensiaal nagevors van kompeterende spele en koëperatiewe spele as maatstaf vir die aanleer van sommige van die konsepte wat samewerking ondersteun. Hellison (1995) se vlakke vir die aanleer van verantwoordelikheid is gebruik as riglyne vir die seleksie van spesifieke onderrigstrateg ieë. Die intervensie het bestaan uit 'n tema-geërienteerde intervensieprogram wat aan twee eksperimentele groepe voorgelê is. Een groep (n = 9) het aan 'n speleprogram deelgeneem wat bestaan het uit kompeterende aktiwiteite en die ander groep (n = 9) het aan 'n speleprogram deelgeneem wat uit koëperatiewe aktiwiteite bestaan. Tema-geërienteerde lesse wat op die volgende vier konsepte wat samewerking ondersteun gebaseer is, is aan die eksperimentele groepe voorgelê: sportmanskap, kommunikasie, vertroue en verantwoordelikheid. 'n Kontrolegroep (n = 18) is ook geïdentifiseer en gebruik vir statistiese vergelyking. Om 'n konteks vir hierdie studie daar te stel is agtergrondinligting met behulp van 'n vraelys ingesamel om vas te stel hoe meisies van die skool (n = 194) gevoel het oor kompeterende spele en sport. Drie meetinstrumente is gebruik om data in te samel. Die assessering oor hoe die meisies gevoel het oor kompeterende spele en sport is voltooi deur van Gill & Deeter se (1988) Sport Orientation Questionnaire (SOQ) gebruik te maak. Pre- en post-toetsing van die meisies in die eksperimentele groepe is ook in die SOQ ingesluit. Harter (1985) se Self-perception Profile is gebruik om die persepsies van waarneembare sosiale aanvaarding te meet. Soudan en Everett (1981) se 24-item vraelys is gebruik om enige veranderinge te bepaaloor hoe die meisies in die eksperimentele groepe die voordele van deelname aan fisieke aktiwiteit ervaar het. Resultate van die Sportoriëntasie-vraelys vir Hoërskoolmeisies (n = 194) het aangedui dat die meisies kompeterende aktiwiteite en kompetisie geniet, maar dat dit vir hulle belangriker is om persoonlike doelwitte te stel in kompeterende spele as wat dit is om te wen. Na afloop van die vergelyking tussen pre- en post-toetsdata, is daar bevind dat die tema-georienteerde kompeterende speleprogram 'n effek gehad het op die meisies se gevoeloor deelname aan spele en sport. Daar was 'n beduidende afname in hul kompeterende oriëntasie. Geen veranderinge is gemerk in hul waarneembare sosiale aanvaarding nie. 'n Beduidende toename is opgemerk in hul persepsie dat deelname aan sport en fisieke aktiwiteit sosiale voordele sowel as voordele vir die voorbereiding van 'n loopbaan/werk inhou. Die tema-georienteerde kooperatiewe speleprogram het ook 'n beduidende effek gehad op hoe die meisies oor deelname aan spele en sport voel. Die kompeterende aard en wenoriëntasie van die meisies wat aan kooperatiewe speleprogram deelgeneem het, het beduidend afgeneem. Geen veranderinge is in hul sosiale aanvaarding opgemerk nie. Daar was 'n beduidende toename in hul persepsie dat deelname aan sport en fisieke aktiwiteit gesondheids- en fiksheidsvoordele inhou. Resultate wat die groepe vergelyk, dui aan dat die waarneembare atletiese vermoë van die kompeterende groep beduidend toegeneem het in vergelyking met die kooperatiewe groep. Geen ander veranderinge is opgemerk nie. 'n Tema-georienteerde benadering tot hoe om kinders oor samewerking in 'n kompeterende en/of kooperatiewe omgewing te leer, blyk 'n effektiewe strategie te wees.

Dissertation (MScSportSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigated the components of mental toughness as reported in the sport psychology literature and by coaches and athletes. A questionnaire devised for this purpose by the researcher, was completed by 131 expert coaches from 30 different sport disciplines and by 160 elite level athletes from 31 different sport disciplines. The information gathered from the literature, as well as from the coaches' and athletes' written statements, was analysed by means of an inductive content analysis. Content analysis organises the data into increasingly more complex themes and categories representing the components of mental toughness. From the literature analysis, eight components of mental toughness were identified, these being: motivation level, arousal control, confidence maintenance, cognitive skill, competitive behaviour, planning skills, emotional readiness and team cohesion. The analysis of the statements provided by the coaches and athletes resulted in the identification of 12 components of mental toughness. These are, in descending order: motivation level, coping skills, confidence maintenance, cognitive skill, discipline and goal-directedness, competitiveness, possession of prerequisite physical and mental requirements, team unity, preparation skills, psychological hardiness, religious convictions and ethics. In addition the coaches and athletes rated their mentioned characteristics. The coaches regarded concentration as the most important characteristic while the athletes regarded perseverance as most important. The coaches rated a coach and a sport psychologist respectively, to be significantly more effective (p<0.05) in strengthening the characteristics of mental toughness than athletes did. It is concluded that a definition of mental toughness should include the following components: motivation level, coping skills (including arousal control strategies), confidence maintenance (including discipline and goal directedness), cognitive skill, competitive behaviour (including competitiveness and possession of the prerequisite physical and mental requirements), planning and preparation skills, psychological hardiness (including emotional readiness) and, finally, religious convictions and ethics. In team sports the definition of mental toughness contains an extra component, namely team cohesion and unity. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie het die komponente van sielkundige taaiheid ondersoek soos dit in die sportsielkunde literatuur en deur afrigters en atlete vertolk word. 'n Vraelys, wat deur die navorser vir hierdie doelontwerp is, is deur 131 kundige afrigters vanuit 30 verskillende sportdissiplines en deur 160 elite atlete vanuit 31 verskillende sportdissiplines, voltooi. Die inligting ingesamel vanuit die literatuur, asook die stellings gemaak deur die afrigters en atlete, is deur middel van 'n induktiewe inhoudsanalisemetode geanaliseer. Inhoudsanalise organiseer data in toenemende komplekse temas en kategorieë wat die komponente van sielkundige taaiheid voorstel. Vanuit die analise van die literatuur het die volgende agt komponente van sielkundige taaiheid na vore gekom: motiveringsvlak, beheer van opwekking, handhawing van selfvertroue, kognitiewe vaardigheid, kompeterende gedrag, beplanningsvaardighede, emosionele gereedheid en spankohesie. Die analise van die afrigters en atlete se stellings het tot gevolg gehad dat 12 komponente van sielkundige taaiheid geïdentifiseer is. Hulle is, in dalende volgorde: motiveringsvlak, hanteringsvaardighede, handhawing van selfvertroue, kognitiewe vaardigheid, dissipline en doelgerigtheid, mededingendheid, beskikking oor die nodige liggaamlike en sielkundige vereistes, eenheid van die span, voorbereidingsvaardighede, sielkundige gehardheid, godsdienstige oortuigings en etiese waardes. Bykomend het die afrigters en die atlete die belangrikheid van hul stellings beoordeel. Konsentrasie is deur die afrigters as die belangrikste geoordeel terwyl deursettingsvermoë deur die atlete verkies is. Die afrigters het bepaal dat 'n afrigter en sportsielkundige beduidend meer (p<0.05) die eienskappe van sielkundige taaiheid kan versterk, as wat die geval met die atlete was. Die gevolgtrekking is dat 'n definisie van sielkundige taaiheid, die volgende komponente moet bevat: motiveringsvlak, hanteringsvaardighede (sluit opwekkingsbeheer in), handhawing van selfvertroue (sluit dissipline en doelgerigtheid in), kognitiewe vaardigheid, kompeterende gedrag (sluit mededingendheid en beskikking oor die nodige fisieke en sielkundige vereistes in), beplanning- en voorbereidingsvaardighede, sielkundige gehardheid sluit emosionele gereedheid in) en, laastens, godsdienstige oortuigings en etiese waardes. Spansportsoorte se definisie van sielkundige taaiheid sluit 'n ekstra komponent, spankohesie en -eenheid in.

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to compare training and physiological variables in performance-matched 10 km female and male athletes in order to identify those factors allowing females to compensate for their lower haematocrit and higher % body fat, both of which are disadvantageous to performance. Eight well-trained competitive female runners and eight well-trained competitive male runners participated in the study. They were matched by performance in a controlled 10 km time trial in the field (TT10). Training was monitored in each athlete for seven consecutive days using heart rate monitoring and training diaries. Each athlete gave a muscle biopsy for histological and biochemical analysis. Four maximal tests, two flat and two gradient (8%), were completed by each athlete in order to determine V02max, maximum heart rate and peak treadmill speed (PTS) under each condition. Each athlete also completed two submaximal tests (one flat and one gradient) and a ten minute race pace test, in which the pace was determined by their TT10 performance. These allowed fractional utilization of V02max, HRmax and PTS to be determined, as well as economy. Training data revealed a much greater training volume, both distance run and duration of training, in female athletes (p < 0.05 for distance; p < 0.01 for duration). V02max expressed per kg body mass was significantly higher in males (p < 0.05), however, when expressed per FFM, no difference was found between genders. Female athletes had a significantly greater percent composition of type I fibres and males had significantly more type IIX fibres, possible explanation of gender difference in PTS and contributing factor to equal TT10. The relationships between training, performance and biochemical variables in either gender were very different. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van die studie was om die oefening en fisiologiese veranderlikes in 10 km vroue en mans atlete, wat afgepaar was volgens prestasie, te vergelyk om die faktore te indentisifeer wat vroue toelaat om te kompenseer vir hulle lae haematokrit en hoë persent liggaamsmassa, wat albei nadelig is tot prestasie. Agt mededingende vroue hardlopers en agt mededingende mans hardlopers het aan die studie deelgeneem. Hulle was gepaar volgens prestasie in 'n gekontroleerde padwedloop (TTlO). Oefening was gemonitor vir elke atleet vir sewe opeenvolgende dae deur gebruik te maak van harttempo monitors en oefeningsdagboeke. Elke atlleet het 'n spierbiopsie gehad wat histologies en biochemies geanaliseer was. Vier maksimale toetse, twee met 'n gradiënt van 0° en twee met 'n gradiënt van 5° (8%) was deur elke atleet voltooi om V02maks,maksimale harttempo en piek trapmeulspoed (PTS), vir beide situasies te bepaal. Hulle het ook almal twee submaksimale toetse gedoen (een teen 0° gradiënt en een teen 5° gradiënt) sowel as 'n tien minuut wedlooppas toets. Fraksionele benutting van V02maks,HRmaksen PTS was hiervan bepaal asook die ekonomie van elke atleet. Oefeningshoeveelheid ten opsigte van afstand en duur van oefening was baie hoër in vroue atlete (p < 0.05 vir afstand; p < 0.01 vir duur). V02maks uitgedruk per kg liggaamsmassa was aansienlik hoër in mans atlete (p < 0.05), maar uitgedruk per vetvrye massa (FFM) was daar geen verskil tussen geslagte. Vroue atlete het 'n merkwaardige hoër persentasie tipe I spiervesels gehad terwyl mans atlete 'n merkwaardige hoer persentasie tipe IIX spiervesels 'gehad het. Dit mag dalk 'n mootlike verklaring vir die geslagsverskil in PTS en 'n bydraende faktor tot gelyke TTlO wees. Verskillende verhoudings tussen oefening, prestasie en biochemiese veranderlikes was in die twee geslagte gesien.

In the past decade, considerable attention has been paid to examination of the impact of amblyopia, and strabismus, upon the lives of the individuals. Although an extensive amount of literature exists regarding amblyopia and its associated visual defects, little is known about the contribution of the amblyopic eye in the habitual viewing condition (i.e. both eyes viewing). The purpose of these studies was to determine whether amblyopes are disadvantaged in the performance of tasks under habitual viewing conditions, highlighting any functional differences which may exist as a consequence of amblyopia. Secondly, the work aimed to investigate whether the amblyopic eye contributes to the habitual performance of these tasks. A simple light detection task, in a dichoptic arrangement based upon blue/yellow stimuli viewed through yellow filters, was used to investigate the above two aims and investigate the degree of interocular suppression in amblyopic participants. Using a 3D motion analysis system performance was assessed for an obstacle crossing task (adaptive gait) and a task of reaching for and grasping of an isolated object and in a 'cluttered' environment. Fine motor skills were assessed in a threading a needle task. On the whole it was found that amblyopes are not disadvantaged under habitual viewing conditions, and in cases where differences were found to exist this appeared to be in tasks requiring speed and accuracy. Consistently across all studies it was found that the amblyopic eye contributed in a positive manner, thus, as in visual normals, two eyes are better than one.

In the past decade, considerable attention has been paid to examination of the impact of amblyopia, and strabismus, upon the lives of the individuals. Although an extensive amount of literature exists regarding amblyopia and its associated visual defects, little is known about the contribution of the amblyopic eye in the habitual viewing condition (i.e. both eyes viewing). The purpose of these studies was to determine whether amblyopes are disadvantaged in the performance of tasks under habitual viewing conditions, highlighting any functional differences which may exist as a consequence of amblyopia. Secondly, the work aimed to investigate whether the amblyopic eye contributes to the habitual performance of these tasks. A simple light detection task, in a dichoptic arrangement based upon blue/yellow stimuli viewed through yellow filters, was used to investigate the above two aims and investigate the degree of interocular suppression in amblyopic participants. Using a 3D motion analysis system performance was assessed for an obstacle crossing task (adaptive gait) and a task of reaching for and grasping of an isolated object and in a ¿cluttered¿ environment. Fine motor skills were assessed in a threading a needle task. On the whole it was found that amblyopes are not disadvantaged under habitual viewing conditions, and in cases where differences were found to exist this appeared to be in tasks requiring speed and accuracy. Consistently across all studies it was found that the amblyopic eye contributed in a positive manner, thus, as in visual normals, two eyes are better than one.

Motion capture (mocap) systems integrated with force plates and electromyography (EMG) collect detailed kinematic and kinetic data on subjects, including stride length, width, cadence, speed, and other spatiotemporal parameters. These systems allow clinicians and researchers to analyze movements, both cyclic (e.g., walking, running) and non-cyclic (e.g., jumping, falling), which is crucial for understanding movement patterns and identifying abnormalities. Clinical gait analysis, a key application, focuses on detecting musculoskeletal issues and walking impairments. While essential for diagnosing gait disorders and planning interventions, clinical gait analysis faces challenges such as noise, outliers, and marker occlusion in optical motion tracking data, requiring complex post-processing. Additionally, the measurement of ground reaction forces (GRFs) and moments (GRMs) is limited due to the restricted number of force plates. There are also challenges in EMG data collection, such as finding optimal MVC positions and developing nonlinear normalization techniques to replace traditional methods.To address these challenges, this research aims to develop an AI-driven gait analysis system that is cost-effective, user-independent, and relies solely on kinematic and EMG data for real-time analysis. The system is specifically designed to assess musculoskeletal characteristics in individuals with special needs, walking disabilities, or injuries, where measuring MVC levels is impractical or unsafe. The research has four main objectives: (1) standardize MVC positions for four lower limb muscles, (2) develop an alternative EMG normalization technique using nonlinear data analysis, (3) create an unsupervised framework using transformers for missing marker recovery without perfect ground-truth data, and (4) generate GRFs, GRMs, and JMs from lower limb kinematics using a 1D-CNN, improving accuracy and efficiency with transfer learning, without requiring force plates. While addressing these challenges, the proposed system aims to minimize user interaction, reduce pre- and post-processing, and lower costs for researchers and clinicians. The designed tool will integrate with existing optical marker-based mocap systems, providing greater flexibility and usability. In educational settings, it will offer students hands-on experience in advanced gait analysis techniques. Economically, widespread adoption of the tool in research and clinical settings will reduce data collection and analysis costs, making advanced gait analysis more accessible. Additionally, this tool can be applied to other fields, such as precision manufacturing, security, and predictive maintenance, where analyzing data can predict failures. Consequently, this research will significantly advance the field of human movement, increasing the volume and quality of research using optical marker-based mocap systems.

Thesis (MScSportSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to determine the validity of a series of physical fitness tests for athletes with disabilities competing in sitting throwing events in athletics. All athletes competing in sitting throwing events during the South African National Championships April, 2001, were asked to take part in the research study. A total of 74 athletes in the classes F33, F34, F52, F53, F54, F55, F56, F57 and F58 took part in the research study. All the athletes completed the tests selected for their specific class. Their tests results and their performance in the events at the South African National Championships were correlated to determine the validity of the physical fitness tests. Results of the study revealed the following: ol' Certain physical fitness components are more important than others for achieving good results in the sitting throwing events. ol' Upper body power is the best predictor of performance in all the events and classes. ol' Technique is as important a factor in good performance as is fitness. ol' South African athletes' technique needs improvement. It can be concluded from this study that physical fitness, in particular upper body strength and power, plays a major role in performance of athletes with disabilities competing in sitting throwing events. Many of the athletes are currently top performers rely more on their physical fitness than on good technique to achieve success. If these athletes can combine physical fitness with good technique, much better performances will achieved and the world will need to take even more note of South Africa's athletes with disabilities. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie was om die geldigheid, van spesifieke fiksheidstoetse vir atlete met gestremdhede wat deelneem aan sittende velditems in atletiek, te bepaal. Al die atlete wat deelgeneem het aan sittende velditems tydens die Suid-Afrikaanse Atletiek Kampioenskappe vir persone met gestremdhede, is uitgenooi om deel te neem aan die navorsingsstudie. Altesaam 74 atlete van die klasse F33, F34, F52, F53, F54, F55, F56, F57 en F58 het deelgeneem aan die spesifieke fiksheidtoetsprotokol wat vir elke klas opgestel was. 'n Pearson korrelasie is getref tussen die toetsresultate en die prestasie van elke atleet in die verskillende items tydens die Suid- Afrikaanse kampioenskappe, om sodoende die geldigheid van elke fiksheidstoets te bepaal. Die volgende bevindinge is gemaak: ./ Seker fiksheidskomponente (in sittende velditems) is meer belangrik as ander vir deelnemers met gestremdhede . ./ Prestasie in sittende velditems van al die klassifikasie groepe kan die beste bepaal word deur plofkrag in die boonste ledemate . ./ Korrekte tegniek is net so belangrik vir prestasie as fisieke vermoë . ./ Suid-Afrikaanse atlete se tegniek kan beslis verbeter. 'n Gevolgtrekking kan gemaak word dat krag en plofkrag van die boonste ledemate, van atlete met gestremdhede wat deelneem aan sittende velditems, 'n belangrike fisieke komponent is vir prestasie. Baie atlete wat tans toppresteerders is, presteer nie noodwendig omdat hulle die beste tegniek het nie, maar weens hulle fisieke vermoëns. Indien daaarin geslaag word om die tegniek en fisieke vermoëns van sittende veldatlete te verbeter, sal nog meer Suid-Afrikaanse atlete internasionaal presteer.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to determine if participation in a movement programme (FITKIDZ) designed by the author produced statistically significant improvements in the physical fitness and locomotor co-ordination of four and five year old children. The study also examined the relationship between post-intervention levels of physical fitness and locomotor co-ordination. The subjects (N = 19), who all attended pre-primary school, were tested on physical fitness components and their execution of locomotor co-ordination using both quantitative and qualitative evaluation processes. The subjects were selected from a pre-primary school that volunteered to participate in the study. Due to the structure of the school and pressure from the parents, it was not possible to have a control group. The subjects underwent an eight-week movement programme (FITKIDZ), after which they were retested. Results showed a statistically significant improvement in abdominal strength, Body Mass Index (BMI) and flexibility (Sit-and-reach scores and trunk lifts). Qualitative results also showed a statistically significant improvement in the children's performance oflocomotor skills. Correlation matrices between the physical fitness components and locomotor skills indicated that the strongest straight-line relationship existed between strength and locomotor co-ordination. The other relationships between the physical fitness components and locomotor co-ordination were not significant. It was concluded that the performance of locomotor skills improved, as did numerous components of physical fitness of the subjects over the duration of the designed movement programme. However, it was noted that this improvement may be partially due to normal maturation of the subject group and that the results from this study would be better supported ifit were possible to include a control group. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie was om te bepaal of daar enige statistiese beduidende verskil was in die fisieke fiksheid en lokomotor-koordinasie van vier- en vyf-jaar oue kinders wat aan 'n bewegingsprogram (FITKIDZ) deelgeneem het, wat deur die outeur ontwerp was. Die studie het ook enige beduidende verhouding tussen pre-bemiddeling en post-bemiddeling uitslae van fisieke fiksheid en lokomotorkoërdinasie ondersoek. Die toetspersone (N = 19), almal kleuterskoolkinders, was in die fisieke fiksheidskomponente en uitvoering van lokomotor-koordinasie deur beide kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe waardebepalingstrategieë getoets. Die toetspersone was van 'n kleuterskool wat vrywillig aan die program deelgeneem het. Aangesien daar druk van die ouers was en die skool 'n sekere struktuur volg, was dit nie moontlik om 'n kontrole-groep te hê nie. Die toetspersone was op 'n agt-week bewegingsprogram (FITKIDZ) geplaas, waarna hulle weer getoets is. Uitslae het 'n statistiese beduidende verbetering in abdominale krag, Liggaamsgewigindeks en lenigheid (Sit-en-reik tellings en romp ekstensie) gewys. Korrelasies tussen die fisieke fiksheidskomponente en lokomotor vaardighede dui aan dat die skerkste reguitlyn verhouding tussen krag en lokomotor-koordinasie bestaan het. Die ander verhoudings tussen die fisieke fiksheidskomponente en lokomotorkoërdinasie was nie betekenisvol nie. Daar is tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat die uitvoering van die lokomotor vaardighede verbeter het, so ook veelvuldige fiksheidskomponente van die toetspersone oor die durasie van die bewegingsprogram. Daar is egter waargeneem dat hierdie verbeteringe gedeeltelik te danke mag wees aan die normale maturasie van die toetsgroep en dat die uitslae van hierdie studie beter ondersteun sou word as daar 'n kontrole-groep was.

Thesis (MScSportSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Today white South Africans take their sport very seriously and at the tum of the nineteenth century this was no different. The key difference however was that a war had erupted between the two Boer Republics (Orange Free State and the Transvaal) and Britain. The Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902 was fought for the supremacy of South Africa at a time when sport was still developing within the country and like other facets of its culture, it too became entwined within a conflict that was to effect the whole future of Southern Africa. This socio-historical study is an attempt to explore sport during this era and how it impinged upon the relationship between Boer and Briton. A pivotal period in South African history, the account will trace the background and nature of the Anglo-Boer conflict and how a passion for sport was shared by both sides throughout and beyond the hostilities. Britain had indeed introduced its sporting codes to South Africa prior to the war and cricket and rugby in particular were already established within its towns and cities. The origins of both sports will be examined here including the significance of the first tours which took place between South Africa and Britain during this time. The majority of research for this study has been completed in South Africa, predominately within the Western Cape but also during spells in the Free State and Gauteng. Visits have also been made to various sources in the UK including Twickenham and Lords. Whilst published work has been used, concerted efforts have been made throughout to include data obtained from primary sources. The descriptive nature of the work has also necessitated the employment of qualitative methods of analysis with data gathered from archive and literary sources selectively underpinned with information from a number of interviews. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suid-Afrikaanse Blankes is vandag baie ernstig oor hul sport en aan die einde van die negentiende eeu was dit ook nie anders nie. Die belangrikste verskil was egter dat 'n oorlog uitgebreek het tussen die Boererepublieke (Oranje-Vrystaat en die Transvaal) en Brittanje. Die Anglo-Boereoorlog van 1899-1902 is geveg vir die oppergesag van Suid-Afrika toe sport, net soos baie ander fasette van die kultuur, steeds besig was om te ontwikkel in die land. Dit het deel geword van 'n konflik wat die hele toekoms van Suidelike Afrika sou raak. Hierdie sosio-kulturele studie is 'n poging om sport tydens hierdie era te verken en hoe dit die verhouding tussen Boer en Brit beïnvloed het. Hierdie was 'n deurslaggewende periode in die Suid-Afrikaanse geskiedenis en die studie sal die agtergrond en aard van die Anglo-Boerekonflik navors en toon hoe 'n passie vir sport gedeel is deur beide partye ten spyte van al die vyandigheid. Brittanje het inderdaad voor die oorlog sy sportkodes na Suid-Afrika gebring en veral krieket en rugby was alreeds gevestig in die stede. Die oorsprong van beide sportsoorte sal hier bestudeer word, insluitend hoe belangrik die eerste toere was wat in hierdie tyd tussen Suid-Afrika en Brittanje plaasgevind het. Die meeste navorsing vir hierdie studie is in Suid-Afrika gedoen, hoofsaaklik in die Wes- Kaap, maar ook, met tye, in die Vrystaat en Gauteng. Besoeke is ook afgelê in verskeie plekke in die Verenigde Koninkryke, bv. Twickenham en Lords. Terwyl van sekondêre bronne gebruik gemaak is, is daar deurgaans nougeset te werk gegaan om primêre bronne te ontsluit. Die beskrywende aard van die werk het ook die gebruik van kwalitatiewe metode van analise van data genoodsaak. Hierdie data is versamel vanuit argivale en literêre bronne wat goed ondersteun is deur inligting verkry uit 'n aantalonderhoude. iv