Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Health in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, at the Durban University Of Technology, 2008. / Objectives: To determine a profile of soccer injuries prevalent in amateur Indoor and Outdoor soccer players in the greater Durban areas. Methods: This study used the Outdoor Supersport corporate league and the Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) Indoor soccer league. A total of 103 out of a possible 147 players participated in the study which included 41 Outdoor and 62 Indoor players. The Indoor soccer players were contacted to complete the questionnaire at their match days at the Gale street Indoor soccer arena and the Outdoor players were contacted during their training sessions and/or match days. The researcher was present to answer any questions posed by the participants. In the case of participants having difficulty in understanding English, a bilingual Zulu translator accompanied the researcher in every interaction with the participants. Results: Out of a total of 103 participants, the foot/ankle (62.1%) was the most frequently injured site. This was followed closely by the knee (55.3%). The rest of the sites in descending order were wrist, back, head, elbow, shoulder, chest, genital and abdomen. All participants reported a first injury, 69 participants reported a second injury and 27 participants reported a third injury. Outdoor soccer players reported the knee as being the most affected area, while Indoor soccer players injured the foot/ankle frequently. Furthermore, age was stated as a significant positive correlation when compared with number of sessions missed, meaning the older the participants, the more sessions they missed. The findings suggest that the use of protective equipment can decrease injury rates due to the use of ankle guards decreasing missed sessions. Conclusion: The profile of soccer injuries in selected amateur league Indoor and Outdoor soccer players in the greater Durban area has been described in this study. In terms of number of injuries, there seems to be no significant differences iv between Indoor and Outdoor soccer players. With regard to site of injuries, the lower limb was affected more than any other body part. The Outdoor players showed more knee injuries than the Indoor players who showed higher incidences of foot/ankle injuries.

Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Health in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, at the Durban University Of Technology, 2008. / Objectives: To determine a profile of soccer injuries prevalent in amateur Indoor and Outdoor soccer players in the greater Durban areas. Methods: This study used the Outdoor Supersport corporate league and the Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) Indoor soccer league. A total of 103 out of a possible 147 players participated in the study which included 41 Outdoor and 62 Indoor players. The Indoor soccer players were contacted to complete the questionnaire at their match days at the Gale street Indoor soccer arena and the Outdoor players were contacted during their training sessions and/or match days. The researcher was present to answer any questions posed by the participants. In the case of participants having difficulty in understanding English, a bilingual Zulu translator accompanied the researcher in every interaction with the participants. Results: Out of a total of 103 participants, the foot/ankle (62.1%) was the most frequently injured site. This was followed closely by the knee (55.3%). The rest of the sites in descending order were wrist, back, head, elbow, shoulder, chest, genital and abdomen. All participants reported a first injury, 69 participants reported a second injury and 27 participants reported a third injury. Outdoor soccer players reported the knee as being the most affected area, while Indoor soccer players injured the foot/ankle frequently. Furthermore, age was stated as a significant positive correlation when compared with number of sessions missed, meaning the older the participants, the more sessions they missed. The findings suggest that the use of protective equipment can decrease injury rates due to the use of ankle guards decreasing missed sessions. Conclusion: The profile of soccer injuries in selected amateur league Indoor and Outdoor soccer players in the greater Durban area has been described in this study. In terms of number of injuries, there seems to be no significant differences iv between Indoor and Outdoor soccer players. With regard to site of injuries, the lower limb was affected more than any other body part. The Outdoor players showed more knee injuries than the Indoor players who showed higher incidences of foot/ankle injuries.

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2013. / Background: A triathlon comprises of a combination of swimming, cycling and running. Triathlons are usually classified as sprint distance, Olympic distance, and Ironman or ultra-distance. Triathlon was popularized in the 2000 Summer Olympic Games and, despite this, there is insufficient data relating to injuries in the South African context. This study aimed to determine the injury profile of amateur and semi-professional Kwa-Zulu Natal triathletes. Methods: This Institutional Research Board approved, cross sectional study, included 80 active members of the Kwa-Zulu Natal Triathlon Association. All triathletes completed a questionnaire on training and injury profiles; with only those having had a musculoskeletal complaint additionally completing a clinical consultation. In order to assess associations between presence of injury and explanatory variables, binary logistic regression using backward selection based on likelihood ratios was used. Data was described using frequency tables for categorical data and summary statistics for continuous data. Odds ratios was reported and a p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. For triathletes reporting injuries, linear regression was used for factors associated with injury severity. Results: Fifty seven triathletes responded giving a response rate of 71% (68% male, 32% female). The point and period (year) prevalence of triathlon-related musculoskeletal pain was 17.5% and 68.4% respectively. The ranking of the most common site of injury in the last 12 months included the knee (64%), low back (21%) and thigh (18%); with females having had a significantly higher risk of injury than males (p=.019). Additionally, injury risk also increased with weight (p=.055), number of triathlons undertaken in the previous year (p=.031), number of triathlons in the last 4 months (p=.009) and running distance during competition times (p=.011). Injury risk decreased with increasing distance of cycling (p=.061) and swimming (p=.030) in a competition, and length of training in- and off-season (p=.105 and p=.043 respectively). Strong trends were demonstrated between injury severity and long-slow training distance (p=.006) and weight (p=.006). By contrast to risk of injury, injury severity was negatively associated with weight, while a long-slow distance was positively associated with the severity of the injury. Of all the health professions, chiropractic was the most utilized health profession. Conclusion and recommendations: The results concur with previous research, but add insights into factors predisposing triathletes to injury. The most common injuries require investigation to develop preventative interventions to reduce injuries in triathletes. Health professionals require education about triathlon-related injuries to improve preventative and curative interventions.

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2015. / Background CrossFit is a workout program developed in 2000 which involves high intensity interval training coupled with resistance training elements of powerlifting and gymnastics. CrossFit has grown to include competitive events and there are an ever increasing number of affiliate gyms internationally. CrossFit’s greatest criticism is related to safety. There is limited published data on the exercise program. Aims The aims of this study were: to determine a retrospective cohort analysis of the demographic, injury and treatment profiles of participants at the 2013 United We Stand CrossFit Games who presented to the Durban University of Technology’s sports treatment facility; to determine the association, if any, between demographics and injury types; and, to provide any recommendations regarding the clinical record form used. Methods This study was a retrospective, quantitative, descriptive study on the chiropractic Student Sports Association’s report form in order to produce a retrospective cohort analysis of the injury and treatment profiles. Persons who made use of the chiropractic treatment facility at the 2013 United We Stand CrossFit Games were required to complete an informed consent form. A sixth year chiropractic student then filled in a Chiropractic Student Sports Association report form to record participant, complaint and treatment information. The study was not limited to competitors, but all persons who had access to the chiropractic treatment facility. These forms were then collated and data captured on the complaints which presented and were treated at the chiropractic treatment facility. Results The data collected revealed that 137 participants presented to the chiropractic treatment facility in 162 visits, with 263 complaints treated. The age range of the sample was between 18 and 43 years, with a mean age of 27.49 years. The majority of participants who presented to the CTF were competing athletes and just under half of the study sample reported to not having a history of previous injury. The study found that the lumbar region (20.9%), wrist/hand (14.4%), shin/calf (11.0%) and knee (10.2%) were the most commonly presented regions of complaint. The highest presenting mechanism of injury was that of overuse (22.4%) followed by running (19.0%). Acute injuries accounted for 72.20% of all injuries. With regards to diagnoses, myofascial trigger points made up 21.6% of all injuries, followed by muscle strains (19.7%). Facet syndromes of the spinal column accounted for 13% of diagnoses.It was shown that kinesiotape, manipulation, massage and ischemic compression were the top treatment interventions utilised. It was also shown that rest, ice and referrals were types of treatment that were not utilised. Due to statistical inconsistencies no significance tests were possible between demographic and injury characteristics. Recommendations were proposed in order to maximise the quality of data captured. Conclusion: The results add insight into the injuries presented and the treatment they acquired at the chiropractic treatment facility at a national CrossFit event. The most common injuries require investigation in both training and competitive environments. Various recommendations have been proposed for the record form used at sporting events in order to facilitate the collection of high quality data. / M

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2013. / Background: A triathlon comprises of a combination of swimming, cycling and running. Triathlons are usually classified as sprint distance, Olympic distance, and Ironman or ultra-distance. Triathlon was popularized in the 2000 Summer Olympic Games and, despite this, there is insufficient data relating to injuries in the South African context. This study aimed to determine the injury profile of amateur and semi-professional Kwa-Zulu Natal triathletes. Methods: This Institutional Research Board approved, cross sectional study, included 80 active members of the Kwa-Zulu Natal Triathlon Association. All triathletes completed a questionnaire on training and injury profiles; with only those having had a musculoskeletal complaint additionally completing a clinical consultation. In order to assess associations between presence of injury and explanatory variables, binary logistic regression using backward selection based on likelihood ratios was used. Data was described using frequency tables for categorical data and summary statistics for continuous data. Odds ratios was reported and a p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. For triathletes reporting injuries, linear regression was used for factors associated with injury severity. Results: Fifty seven triathletes responded giving a response rate of 71% (68% male, 32% female). The point and period (year) prevalence of triathlon-related musculoskeletal pain was 17.5% and 68.4% respectively. The ranking of the most common site of injury in the last 12 months included the knee (64%), low back (21%) and thigh (18%); with females having had a significantly higher risk of injury than males (p=.019). Additionally, injury risk also increased with weight (p=.055), number of triathlons undertaken in the previous year (p=.031), number of triathlons in the last 4 months (p=.009) and running distance during competition times (p=.011). Injury risk decreased with increasing distance of cycling (p=.061) and swimming (p=.030) in a competition, and length of training in- and off-season (p=.105 and p=.043 respectively). Strong trends were demonstrated between injury severity and long-slow training distance (p=.006) and weight (p=.006). By contrast to risk of injury, injury severity was negatively associated with weight, while a long-slow distance was positively associated with the severity of the injury. Of all the health professions, chiropractic was the most utilized health profession. Conclusion and recommendations: The results concur with previous research, but add insights into factors predisposing triathletes to injury. The most common injuries require investigation to develop preventative interventions to reduce injuries in triathletes. Health professionals require education about triathlon-related injuries to improve preventative and curative interventions.

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2015. / Background: The 19th Iteration of the World Transplant Games was hosted in Durban, South Africa in 2013. This biennial, international, multisport event showcases the talents of transplant athletes, whilst demonstrating the benefits of organ transplantation. To date, limited research is available on transplant athletes. This study aimed to determine the injury profile of transplant athletes who presented to the Durban University of Technology Chiropractic Treatment Facilities during the 2013 World Transplant Games. Methods: This retrospective, descriptive cohort study analysed the data collected at the Chiropractic Treatment Facilities at the 2013 World Transplant Games. For inclusion, each WTG Form required completion, reflecting all the elements of that participant’s chiropractic consultation. The data recorded on the World Transplant Games Form generated the data analysed in this study. The data described the frequency (frequency tables), nature and management of injuries treated at the Chiropractic Treatment Facilities during the 2013 World Transplant Games. In order to determine relationships cross tabulations were used. Results: There were 964 athletes registered for the 2013 World Transplant Games, of which 153 presented to the Chiropractic Treatment Facilities (an utilisation rate of 15.9%). A total of 259 consultations by the athletes (n = 223; 86.1%) and non-athletes (n = 36; 13.9%) were recorded. The majority of the treated athletes were White (n = 91; 59.5%), males (n = 109; 71.2%), in which kidney transplant recipients accounted for 37.3% (n = 58) of the total number. Track athletics had the highest injury rate (34.5% of all reported injuries). Athletes sustained injuries to 14 different anatomical regions, with the thigh (26.9%) and shin/calf (20.5%) being the most frequently injured. The majority of injuries (n = 164; 66.4%) were “overuse” injuries, with myofasciitis, muscle strains and thoracic facet syndrome being the most frequently obtained diagnoses (25.5%, 16.6% and 6.5% respectively). The most frequently employed treatment modalities were those of massage (32.1%), ischemic compression (16.3%) and manipulation (13.4%). It was noted that the most injuries sustained (88.3%) were not severe enough to result in an inability to continue current or future participation. Conclusions and Recommendations: Transplant recipient athletes injuries concur with the literature on non-transplant athletes, indicating that solid organ transplantation does not predispose the athlete to different or more serious injuries which would require different management protocols by health care personnel treating these athletes. Further investigation into individual sports is encouraged, to develop accurate, effective injury management and preventative strategies to more appropriately diagnose and treat injuries incurred by transplant athletes and then to prevent them from recurring. An informed healthcare approach towards event organising and athlete treatment will improve preventative strategies and athlete management.

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Department of Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / Background: Tennis is one of the most popular sports globally with over 75 million players around the world. Most studies have focused on junior or elite level players although the majority of players around the world are presumed to be recreational/non-professional players. To date, limited research is available pertaining to the epidemiology of tennis related musculoskeletal in non-professional league tennis players in South Africa. This study aimed to determine the profile of musculoskeletal injuries amongst league tennis players in the northern eThekwini region. Methods: This was a quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive study utilizing a self-administered questionnaire, developed specifically for this research utilizing an expert group and pilot study. The questionnaire contained sections on demographics, tennis history, training and nutrition, court surface and equipment as well as a section on tennis related musculoskeletal injuries. Risk factors for injury were first tested using chi square tests in the case of categorical variables, and t-tests in the case of continuous variables. In order to assess the relationship between injury and potential risk factors for injury, a binary logistic regression using backward selection based on likelihood ratios was used. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of the variables remaining in the model at the end were reported. A p value <0.05 was used to indicate statistical significance. Results: Eighty league tennis players responded giving a response rate of 70.16%. The period prevalence, and the point prevalence of tennis related musculoskeletal injury was 68.75% and 36.25% respectively. A predominance of injuries to the upper extremity were recorded (49%) compared to the lower extremity (27.5%) and the back and trunk (23.5%). The elbow was the most common anatomical site of injury (21.4%) followed by the shoulder (19.4%), the lumbar spine (17.3%) and the knee (8.2%). Age was considered to be a risk factor for injury (p=0.049) as older players in the study (49.32 (17.547) years of age) were less likely to contract an injury than younger players (48.38 (13.210) years of age). The likelihood of injury decreased with a higher Body Mass Index (p=0.042). The relationship between consumption of spirit alcohol and injury was significant (p=0.043). Ex-smokers had a higher chance of contracting an injury (p=0.013). It was also found that those who cycled weekly were less likely to contract an injury (p=0.040). Conclusion: The results concur with other studies on recreational/non-professional tennis players and add insight into risk factors predisposing this population to injury. Health care practitioners need to understand the risk factors for injury in this population so that players can be better managed. Using the results of the study, an injury prevention strategy such as a strength and conditioning program, needs to be implemented with the goal to reduce or prevent common injuries in this population of players. / M

La protection intégrée des cultures (PIC) apparaît comme une stratégie durable de protection des plantes contre les bioagresseurs, satisfaisant les exigences à la fois économiques, écologiques et sanitaires auxquelles est confrontée l’agriculture. L’amélioration des connaissances sur les interactions entre les bioagresseurs et les pratiques agricoles est indispensable afin de concevoir des méthodes de lutte plus économes en produits phytosanitaires Le modèle IPSIM (Injury Profile SIMulator), développé dans ce travail de thèse, vise à simuler l’effet des pratiques culturales, du pédoclimat et de l’environnement de la parcelle sur les dégâts causés par les bioagresseurs sur une culture. Ce modèle est basé sur une approche hiérarchique et agrégative. Ce travail décrit la base conceptuelle de la modélisation IPSIM et son application pour construire le modèle IPSIM-Wheat, simulant les profils de dégâts sur le blé en fonction des pratiques culturales et de l’environnement biotique et abiotique. Plusieurs modèles ont été conçus pour prédire les sévérités de six maladies, un ravageur et les plantes adventices du blé. Ces modèles contribuent ainsi au développement d’IPSIM-Wheat, dont une première version est présentée pour des bioagresseurs majeurs en interaction. Ce futur modèle pourra contribuer à concevoir des systèmes de culture incluant du blé, moins soumis aux pressions biotiques et moins dépendants des pesticides. / Integrated pest management (IPM) appears as a sustainable strategy to protect plants against pest while answering the economical, ecological, and toxicological expectations that agriculture must face. The effects of cultural practices on pest dynamics have to be thoroughly analyzed in order to reduce the reliance of cropping systems on pesticides. A model, named IPSIM ((Injury Profile SIMulator), currently under development in this thesis, aims at simulating the effects of cropping practices, as well as soil, climate and field environment on the injuries caused by multiple pests of a given crop. This model is based on a hierarchical and aggregative approach. This study describes the conceptual basis of the modeling and its applications in order to develop IPSIM-Wheat, a model simulating injury profiles on wheat. Thus, several models have been designed to predict six diseases, one insect pest and weeds. This study thus contributes to the development of IPSIM-Wheat which will help design innovative sustainable wheat-based cropping system.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 2017. / Background: Ice hockey is a fast paced team sport, played on an ice surface in an enclosed arena. As a result of the high contact, aggressive nature of the sport, players are susceptible to injury. Ice hockey is not a popular sport in South Africa and the environment is unique in comparison to international ice hockey countries. The playing surfaces and ice rink arenas differ across South Africa, which may affect the risk of injury in this population. Protective equipment is not easily accessible to ice hockey players in South Africa and therefore they may be at a higher risk of injury. Participation in ice hockey is developing in South Africa; however there is a paucity in the literature relating to injuries in the South African context. This study aimed to determine a profile of ice hockey injuries in South African players. Methodology: This study was a quantitative, descriptive study that used a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered to 187 ice hockey players (141 male and 46 female) who were registered with the South African Ice Hockey Association. Players were required to sign the letter of information and informed consent form, following which, questionnaires were distributed to the participants who met the study criteria. The researcher was present to supervise and collect all forms and completed questionnaires directly after completion. The questionnaire contained sections on demographics, injuries sustained over the previous season as well as the use of protective equipment. The results were analysed using SPSS version 24 and a p value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The response rate met the minimum requirement of 138 males and 45 females. Of the 187 participants, 110 (58.8%) of the participants sustained at least one injury due to ice hockey. Age was considered to be a risk factor in this study as those participants in the youngest age group of 18-27 were at a higher risk of all injuries (χ2 p-value < 0.0001). Although gender was not a risk factor for the total number of injuries, female players in this study were at a greater risk of head and knee injuries (χ2 p-value = 0.0196 and χ2 p-value = 0.0046 respectively). The most severe injury affected the head (10.2%, n = 19) and overall the knee was the most commonly affected area of injury (n = 30). The majority of the injuries were sustained during a game and resulted from contact with another player. The results of this study showed that the use of protective equipment does not prevent all injuries in ice hockey. The type of facial protection worn was a risk factor for facial injuries and the lack of a mouthguard was a risk factor for head injuries. Conclusion: The aim of this study was to determine a profile of ice hockey injuries in South African players. The South African demographic profile of ice hockey players showed similarities to international profiles with respect to age, gender, BMI and player position. The profile of injuries in this study was similar to international injury profiles in terms of site, type, severity, onset and mechanism of injury and regarding the majority of injuries being sustained during a game. Ice hockey players in the younger age groups were at a higher risk of injury both in South Africa and internationally. Females were at a higher risk of head injuries in comparison to males which is congruent with international literature. In South Africa, and internationally, the use of full facial protection and a mouthguard was shown to decrease the risk of facial and head injuries respectively. The South African demographic profile differed from international findings in terms of experience level, total hours of training per week and number of games played in a season. The injury profile of South African ice hockey players showed that this population is at a higher risk of muscular injuries than international players. Larger ice surfaces and flexible boards and glass did not reduce the risk of injury in South African ice hockey players in the same way as it has internationally. / M

submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2015. / Background Rugby union is one of South Africa’s most popular sports; it requires high levels of skill and fitness and is played at a high intensity and speed which allows for a greater risk of injury. The high risk of injury is said to be due to the nature of the physicality of rugby. It is because of this high risk of injury that several adaptations of rugby have since developed which rely more on speed and agility than physicality. These adaptations include tens or ten-a-side rugby, sevens or seven-a-side rugby and finally touch rugby, which is played with six players a-side. Each adaptation has its own set of rules and is played differently to the traditional rugby union or fifteen-a-side rugby. Hence, in these adaptations the physicality is said to decrease with a resultant increase in demand for speed and agility. The reduction of physicality and increase in the need for speed and agility would imply that the nature of injuries sustained will be different to those sustained in traditional rugby union. Objectives To develop a profile of injuries that describe the type, anatomical location and mechanism of injuries sustained in tens, sevens and touch rugby; to compare the injuries sustained between the three groups; and, to analyse management strategies utilised by chiropractic students at the 2014 Durban ‘Rugby Rush Tournament’. Additionally this study aimed to provide recommendations to the injury reporting form utilised. Method This study was a retrospective, quantitative, descriptive study based on the Chiropractic Student Sports Association’s report form in order to produce a retrospective cohort analysis of injury and treatment profiles. Participants who made use of the chiropractic treatment facility were required to complete the informed consent section of the injury reporting form. The chiropractic intern was required to complete the remainder of the form pertaining to the participant, complaint and treatment information. This study was limited to event participants to allow for subgroup analysis. The forms were then captured and analysed. Results The data collected consisted of a total of 345 individual patient forms which indicated 626 visits for a total of 733 complaints. The average participant age was 24 ± 5.58. The study found muscle strains (41.5%), SI Syndrome (17.6%) and Joint sprains (15.0%) to be the most frequent diagnoses. A history or previous injury or trauma was reported in 18.7% and 7.40% respectively. Acute injuries accounted for 64.3% and 35.7% were recorded as chronic in nature. The most frequent mechanism of injury was that of overuse (81.9%) and trauma accounted for 17.2% of injuries. The lumbar region (26.1%), thigh (20.7%) and shin/calf (15.6%) were the most commonly reported regions of complaint. Manipulation (58.8%), massage (32.0%) and stretch PNF (27.9%) were the most frequently used treatment protocols. Strapping was utilised in 21.1% of injuries of which 5.20% was applied to the muscle and 13.6% was applied to the joint. No comparison was made using the sevens subgroup as there were insufficient records, thus only tens and touch players were compared. A borderline non-significant difference (p = 0.057) was noted between the type of player and the history of previous trauma. Tens players were more likely to have a history of trauma compared to touch players. A significant difference (p = 0.001) was found between the type of athlete and mechanism of injury. Overuse was more common in touch players whereas trauma was more common in tens players. Due to statistical inconsistencies no significance tests were applicable to compare the type of player and region of complaint. Recommendations were proposed in order to avoid this in future research. Conclusion This study provides a base of knowledge regarding the injuries that were presented to the chiropractic treatment facility at the 2014 Durban ‘Rugby Rush Tournament’ and the management strategies utilised by the chiropractic interns at the event. This research provides insight into injury profiling of tens, sevens and touch rugby players. There were several recommendations proposed for future researchers in order to expand on this field of knowledge.