M.Phil. (Sport Management) / Available literature revealed a gap in the body of knowledge regarding the effect of environmental and related factors on the performance of elite under 17 judokas in South Africa in order to address the lack of available research. Scholars increasingly researched the social importance attached to the performance of athletes and the competitive environment, including the role of social agents and simulated training. The aim of this study translates into objectives, namely: i) to describe the sport competition environment through an extensive literature study, ii) to determine the effect of environmental and selected physical factors (sleep and nutrition) on the performance of elite judokas in South Africa in the under 17 age category with a self-designed questionnaire, iii) to determine psychosocial effects on judo performance with the Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT) and the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ), iv) to determine the effect of environmental factors, selected physical factors and psychosocial factors on the performance of elite under 17 judokas with a focus group, v) to determine the effect of environmental, psychosocial and selected physical factors on the performance of elite judokas from the perspective of judo coaches by way of interviews, and vi) to conduct a comparative analysis based on various variables such as gender, locality, frequency of competition participation and access to resources. Both qualitative and quantitative data were gathered, constituting an exploratory research design. Questionnaires (SCAT and SMTQ) and qualitative data was gathered by way of interviews with judo coaches (n=8) and a focus group with judokas (n=8). In total sixty five (n=65) judokas participated in this study. A purposive sample of coaches and elite judokas were recruited as research participants. Results indicate that judokas have relatively moderate mental toughness (M=41.66) and that mentally tougher judokas experience relatively less anxiety whilst competing (r=-.48, n=60, p<.01). An increase in anxiety is correlated with a decline in performance and medal winning judokas were relatively more confident than non-medal winners. All research participants were negatively affected by not having adequate exposure to environmental simulated training conditions, with temperature as a main factor impacting on performance.

No description available.

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1960 S77

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to explore the underlying mechanisms inherent to the interaction between human beings and the natural environment. Using an exploratory approach, the study aimed to uncover conceptual understandings of the Ecotherapy process. As a platform for deeper investigation, the metaphor as a narrative symbol presented by participants was offered for interpretation. Using the transcript of an anonymous participant's experience during an ecotherapy trail, four trained ecotherapy facilitators from the National Peace Accord Trust provided open interpretations of the underlying mechanisms of the process. From an analysis of selected excerpts presented by participating facilitators, key themes are introduced and discussed as source of interest for future research. Predominant themes that emerge from the study are the significance of symbolism, the notion of embodiment, the continuum in the process of connection as well as existence of a spiritual dimensions to the healing process in the natural environment. A number of the shortcomings of previous research, as well as within this investigation are discussed. This study suggests that there is a definite need for further qualitative and emperical investigation of the ecotherapy process as a therapeutic intervention. The findings of this study are intended both as a platform for future research initiatives as well as a resource for ecotherapy facilitators and participants. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie was om die onderliggende meganismes inherent aan die interaksie tussen die mens en die natuurlike omgewing te ondersoek. Die studie het beaag om met 'n eksploratiewe benadering die konseptuele beginsels van die Ekoterapie proses bloot te lê. As vertrekpunt is die metafoer, soss beskrywe deur die deelnemers, as narratiewe simbool beskou vir meer dieperliggende interpretasie. Die transkripsies van die deelnemers se ervarings gedurende die ekoterapeutiese staptog is deur vier professionele ekoterapeutiese fasiliteerders van die "National Peace Accord Trust" geïnterpreteerom die onderliggende meganismes van die proses te identifiseer. As verwysingsbron vir verdere navorsing is die gereduseerde opsommings van die betrokke fasiliteerders geanaliseer, sentrale temas geïdentifiseer en bespreek. Sentrale temas wat uit die studie na vore gekom het, was die betekenisvolheid van simboliek, die besef van liggaamlikheid, die kontinuum in die proses van konneksie-vorming, sowel as die voorkoms van spirituele dimensies geduurende die helingsproses in die natuurlike omgewing. Tekortkominge van vorige, sowel as die huidige navorsing, is ook aangespreek. Dit blyk uit die studie dat In defnitiewe behoefte aan verdere kwalitatiewe en empmese navorsing rondom die ekoterapie proses as terapeutiese intervensie, bestaan. Die bevindinge van hierdie studie behoort te dien as 'n vertrekpunt vir toekomstige navorsing, sowel as 'n verwysingsbron vir ekoterapeutiese fasiliteerders en deelnemers.

There is a long history of visual preferences for natural environments over urban environments, as well as beliefs in the restorative value of time spent in natural environments. Diverse theoretical perspectives, such as information overload, learning and evolutionary theories, can be used to help explain these preferences and beliefs, and early empirical research has found tentative support for them. The present study capitalizes on a recovery-from-stress experimental paradigm developed by Ulrich. Subjects are presented with a brief videotaped stressor followed by a brief videotaped outdoor environment while psychological and physiological indicators of arousal and emotion are monitored. In this study, two stressors and four environments were manipulated between subjects. The environments differed along two dimensions that were derived from visual preference research and theoretical predictions: whether they were natural or urban in character, and the presence or absence of a river. Physiological indicators of arousal included heart rate, skin conductance, respiration rate and salivary cortisol levels. Facial electromyographic (EMG) placements were used to assess the emotional valence of subjects' responding. The Zuckerman Inventory of Personal Responses (ZIPERS) was used to assess psychological responding. Analyses yielded a limited and occasionally inconsistent pattern of results. Many of the inconsistent responses to the environments were found across stressors, suggesting that either arousal level or the particular nature of the arousal generated by the two stressors may have interacted with the recovery environments. Despite these inconsistencies, the tentative conclusions that could be reached were generally consistent with past research and theoretical predictions. Evidence from the arousal variables suggested that the Nature and Water environments elicited less arousal during the recovery phase than did the Urban and Non-Water environments; and, there was corraboration or partial corraboration for each of these findings from the self-report data. Similarly, data from the EMG placements favored the Nature environments over the Urban environments, and in particular suggested that the Non-Water Natural (meadow) environment was less likely to produce negative emotions than the other environments. Again, this finding received some support from the self-report data. Possible explanations for the limited and occasionally inconsistent nature of the findings are offered in the discussion section, with the most likely candidate being the relatively attractive Urban environments used in this study compared to those used in past research.

Thesis (Msc)--Stellenbosch University, 2001 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: There has been a growing awareness of nature among psychologists in recent years, both in terms of how psychology can contribute to the preservation of nature, and utilise its benefits for human beings. In this paper both these aspects of the human-nature relationship are explored. The sense of connectedness between people and nature appears to be the common ground between these two approaches, and it is recommended that experiential as well as cognitive elements of the relationship should be recognised. A limited qualitative pilot study was conducted with five participants of a weekend wilderness experience. All the participants were female first year psychology students. Confirming previous research, this study found that the experience of nature is highly individualised, and includes heightened self-awareness, relaxation, social relationships, spiritual elements, and a sense of connectedness to nature. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sielkundiges raak toenemend bewus van die natuur, in terme van die wyses waarop sielkunde kan bydra tot die beskerming van die omgewing, asook waarop die voordele wat dit vir die mens inhou, benut kan word. Beide aspekte van die verhouding tussen mens en natuur word in hierdie studie ondersoek. Die noue verbintenis tussen mens en natuur blyk die onderliggende faktor tot beide benaderings te wees, en dit word aanbeveel dat die eksperiënsiële sowel as kognitiewe elemente van hierdie verhouding in ag geneem moet word. 'n Beperkte kwalitatiewe loods-studie is uitgevoer met vyf deelnemers van 'n wildemes-ervaring, almal vroulike eerste-jaar sielkunde studente. In ooreenstemming met vorige navorsing het hierdie studie bevind dat die ervaring van die natuur hoogs geïndividualiseerd is, en verhoogde self-gewaarwording, ontspanning, sosiale verhoudings, spirituale elemente, en 'n sin van verbintenis aan die natuur, insluit.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Research literature is increasingly referring to the therapeutic effect of experiences in nature on people. However, no research that evaluates the suitability of nature as an aid in an existential approach to psychotherapy could be found. This paper shows by means of a literature review that nature as an aid can make a significant contribution to this approach. The potential benefits of utilizing nature are integrated with the therapeutic goals of existential psychotherapy. The conclusion reached is that nature can be an important aid for leading a client to self-confrontation, increased selfawareness, acceptance of personal freedom and responsibility, and to find personal meaning in life. Proposals for future research are recommended. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Navorsingsliteratuur bevat in 'n toenemende mate verwysings na die terapeutiese effek wat belewenisse in die natuur op mense het. Geen navorsing kon egter gevind word wat die geskiktheid van die natuur as 'n hulpmiddel in 'n eksistensiële benadering tot psigoterapie ondersoek nie. Hierdie studie toon deur middel van 'n literatuuroorsig aan dat die natuur wel as 'n hulpmiddel betekenisvolle bydraes kan lewer tot hierdie benadering, deur die potensiële bydrae van die natuur in verband te bring met die doelwitte van eksistensiële psigoterapie. Die gevolgtrekking word gemaak dat die natuur 'n belangrike hulpmiddel kan wees om die kliënt te lei na selfkonfrontasie, verhoogde selfbewussyn, aanvaarding van persoonlike vryheid en verantwoordelikheid, en die vind van persoonlike betekenis in die lewe. Aanbevelings vir verdere navorsing word ook gemaak.

published_or_final_version / abstract / Geography / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Fine Arts / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

This study explores the significance for practitioners of taking their therapeutic work outside of the traditional therapy room, typically into nature spaces, parks or gardens. Attention is paid to the notion of the therapeutic frame and relevant ecopsychology theory. While there is substantial literature around ecotherapy and the benefits of nature to wellbeing, there is relatively little concerning working as a psychotherapist outdoors. The purpose of this research therefore was to address the question of what it is like to take a therapeutic practice out of doors and the potential challenges. Eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with practitioners with experience of working out of doors with clients. Following van Manen’s (1990) hermeneutic phenomenology research methodology, five themes were found: boundaries and new frontiers, fitting in, what ‘they’ think, and who is it for (parts I and II). The research aim, to grasp the meaning of this unconventional practice from the practitioners’ perspective, was mirrored in the analysis which revealed that meaning for the participants is complex and concerns for the client as well as personal concerns were seen as fundamental to the experience. Relationships to and the presence of nature in the work were also recognised as significant and identified a tension around the unquantifiable experience of the ‘soulfulness’ of nature in the work versus the measurable elements of nature that have therapeutic benefit. The scarcity of practitioners working outdoors was attributed to a lack of indoor therapists’ understanding of the processes involved which was seen to impact upon participants’ experiences in their work outdoors. The emergent themes in this research emphasise for counselling psychology an on-going need to review therapeutic dogma, encompass the wider world in the context of therapeutic practice and expand current notions of mental health and psychopathology to engender greater pluralism in theory and practice.