The Beothuk Indians were an extinct group of Amerinds who were among the earliest founders of Newfoundland. In literature, the Beothuk were described as perhaps being phenotypically more similar to Europeans than Asians (Gatschet 1890, Lloyd 1875, 1876a, Marshall 1996). In this research, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis was performed on a Beothuk individual in order to determine his haplotype and, perhaps, shed light on the origins of the Beothuk.For this analysis, a tooth of Nonosabasut, a Beothuk chief who died in 1819 was loaned from the Royal Museum of Scotland. Ancient DNA was extracted from 172 mg of dentin from the tooth. The DNA was cut with two blunt-end restriction enzymes, RsaI and HaeIII. Double-stranded DNA adapters were ligated to the blunt ends. A single adapter was used to amplify the resulting fragments using PCR. In this manner, two libraries of the DNA were created that could be readily reamplified using a small amount of the PCR product. mtDNA type was determined by amplifying specific regions and performing Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism analysis and sequencing. It was determined that the Beothuk individual had a 9-bp deletion at nucleotide position (np) 8272, an Alul restriction site at np 5176, and heteroplasmy for a HincII restriction site at np 13,259, indicating that the Beothuk individual falls into the Native American Haplogroup B. Haplogroup B is not present in modern Siberian populations, whereas the remaining Native American mtDNA haplogroups are. It has been hypothesized that Haplogroup B arrived in the Americas at a different time than haplogroups A, C, D, and X, about 16,000-13,000 YBP (Years Before Present) (Starikovskaya et al. 1998). Haplogroup B can be found in some modern Taiwanese, Japanese, Korean, Evenk, and other Asian populations.Sequencing of the D-Loop region revealed a G to A transition at np 16303. To our knowledge, this transition was never previously reported in a Native American. This transition has been reported in Tibetans, Koreans, Hans, and Japanese, all considered to be southeast Asian Causacoids (Torroni et al. 1993b, 1994b). This transition, also frequently described in the Caucasian Haplogroup H, is especially prevalent in Spain and among the Basque. It is described as a root haplotype of Haplogroup H whose expansion was estimated to be between 12,300-13,200 YBP (Torroni et al. 1998). This time estimate coincides with the expansion of Haplogroup B. One possible explanation for this transition may be some admixture of the Beothuk with a Caucasian population. / School of Physical Education

Fourteen college softball players were recruited to participate in this study to determine if a strength imbalance between the lower extremities, how significant this difference this may be and of any correlations existed among all the functional tests. Subjects took part in isokinetic flexion and extension at 60 and 240 deg/sec, parallel squats, 2-legged vertical jump, single leg vertical jump, and a five-hop test. Peak and average torque was recorded for isokinetic testing and revealed significant differences between the dominant and non-dominant limbs (13.00%- 16.00%). Peak and average force was analyzed for squats and all vertical jumps. Significance was found among all activities between dominant and non-dominant legs, other than average force for single leg vertical jump. A significant difference was also exhibited for the five-hop test between the lower extremities. Significant correlations were also found at the 0.05 and 0.01 levels amongst the various functional tests. Overall findings revealed a significant strength imbalance between the dominant and non-dominant limbs. Further research needs to be conducted in determining how detrimental these differences could be in daily performance for athletes. / School of Physical Education

Graduation date: 1993

M.Tech. / Purpose: To determine the effect of Chiropractic spinal adjustive therapy (SAT) of the lumbar spine and Sacroiliac joints on performance utilising indicators such as vertical jump height and T-test time of moderate to highly active sport participants. It has been suggested that a dysfunctional vertebral subluxation complex can cause a decrease in performance. The decreased performance may be due to dysfunctional biomechanics and altered neurological functioning of the lumbar spine and Sacroiliac joints. Methods: A randomised study design with thirty asymptomatic male subjects, which were moderate to highly active as indicated by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), participated in this study. Participants were divided into two equal groups, group A (n=15) received Chiropractic SAT of the lumbar spine and Sacroiliac joints, group B (n=15) were rested for five minutes. The study design consisted of six consultations, with intervention being applied at each consultation between objective measurements. Objective data was obtained by the vertical jump test and T-test which determined participant’s explosive power and agility respectively. Objective data was obtained before and after intervention on each of the six consultations. The immediate effect of intervention was represented by the before versus the after measurements of consultations. The short term effect was represented by comparing the before values of consultation one (baseline) to consultation six. Results: The objective results showed that there was a short term and immediate improvement in vertical jump height and T-test time of both groups. With vertical jump height group A showed an immediate mean improvement of 3.845 cm (7%) and a short term mean improvement of 0.74 cm (1%); group B showed an immediate mean improvement of 1.6 cm (3%) and a short term mean improvement of 1.47 cm (3%). With the T-test time group A showed an immediate mean improvement of 0.433 s (4%) and a short term mean improvement v of 0.673 (6%); group B showed a immediate mean improvement of 0.1745 s (2%) and a short term mean improvement of 0.6 s (5%). Conclusion: Although results obtained were not statistically significant (p>0.05), it demonstrated from a clinical perspective that interventions caused an improvement in jump height and T-test time in both groups. Group A showed a greater improvement in every aspect, except in the short term effect of Chiropractic SAT on vertical jump height. It is therefore postulated that improvements noted were as a result of the adjustment providing an enhanced biomechanical and neurological advantage, and therefore in performance indicators such as the vertical jump test and T-test in the participants.

This study intended to determine if, by using coefficients of variation derived from data collected by Fisher [1989], it would be possible to develop prediction equations to discriminate between sincere and deceptive isokinetic knee extension tests, whether these equations could be applied to a new sample, and whether prediction accuracy is dependent on test speed. Fisher [1989] trained 76 college-age males subjects to either give a true maximal response or fake an injury during an isokinetic knee extension/flexion test at 60, 180, and 300 deg/sec. Data were transmitted to a computer running Segmental Curve Analysis [Wynn, 1988; Sebolt and Earles-Price, 1989], which computed six variables for each torque curve: peak torque (PT), torque at five degrees prior to and post-PT (T-5, T+5), area to five degrees prior to PT (A-5), area beyond five degrees post-PT (A+5), and area between five degrees pre- and post-PT (A55). Coefficients of variation were computed for each variable, which were used to develop prediction equations for each speed, and for all speeds combined. The prediction equations accurately predicted condition assignments (p = 0.572 - 0.79) when applied to Fisher's [1989] data. A second sample was solicited, trained, and tested in a manner similar to Fisher [1989], and the same prediction equations were applied. There was no significant difference (p < 0.05) in the prediction accuracy of these equations between their application to Fisher's [1989] data or to data collected in the current study. Furthermore, there appeared to be no significant effect of test speed on prediction accuracy. These data suggest that coefficients of variation could be used to discriminate between sincere and deceptive isokinetic performances. / Master of Science

The purpose of this study was to determine if isokinetic testing could be used as an effective means of assessing a players potential to play a certain position. The subjects were twenty four male division IA college football players. The Cybex 340 isokinetic testing device, twenty and forty yard dash, and standing broad jump were used to collect data. An analysis of variance test with repeated measures was used for the statistical analysis (ANOVA). Based on the findings of this study, no significant difference was found between offensive and defensive lineman, through isokinetic testing. However, a significant difference was found between the groups in the twenty and forty yard dash, and in the standing broad jump. Significant differences in these areas may have been attributed to a significant difference in body weight between the two groups tested. / School of Physical Education

The purpose of this study was to compare the muscular strength and endurance of thirty-two men 51 to 79 years of age who engage in weight training (WT), aerobic training (AT), cross training (CT), or no training (S). The design employed in the study was a 2x2 between subjects factorial design with weight training and aerobic training as the two factors. A KIN/COM isokinetic dynomometer was used to test muscular strength and endurance of the dominant leg extensors and chest/shoulder complex. Strength of the leg extensors and chest/shoulder complex were measured as peak torque and peak force, respectively, at a velocity of 60 degrees/second. Endurance of the same muscle groups was measured as the percent decline over 50 continuous maximal contractions at a velocity of 180 degrees/second. A two-way between subjects ANOVA and independent t-tests were used to analyze the difference between mean muscular strength and mean muscular endurance for each group. A significant weight training effect was found for leg strength, with the WT and CT groups (Weight Trained groups) exhibiting a greater peak torque than the AT and S groups (Non-Weight Trained groups). Participating in one of three training programs was found to have a significant effect for chest and shoulder strength, with the WT, CT, and AT groups exhibiting a greater peak force than the S group. However, no significant difference was found between the WT, CT, and AT groups for chest/shoulder strength. The WT group was found to have significantly greater muscular endurance of the leg compared to the S group. No other training effects were observed between any of the groups for either muscular endurance test. / Graduation date: 1992

published_or_final_version / Medical Sciences / Master / Master of Medical Sciences

Introduction The physiological effects of single and multiday road running races have been studied extensively and include the occurrence of rhabdomyolysis, reflected by significantly increased urinary myoglobin (uMb), as well as increased concentrations of serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), cortisol and cardiac troponin-T (cTnT), dehydration and compromised renal function. Furthermore, in hyperthermic athletes, a positive relationship has been noted between hyperthermia, muscle damage, dehydration and pacing. The physiological effects of a multiday trail run of similar duration to single day road races, however, are unknown. The side-effects of the use of statin medication for hypercholesterolaemia include muscle fatigue, cramping and increased muscle damage. These have been found to be aggravated in endurance athletes and it has been reported that females, especially when being medicated from a young age, are more susceptible to these side-effects. Objectives 1. To investigate the effect of a three-day trail run on systemic and urinary markers of muscle damage and inflammation in recreational runners and to establish the association of dehydration and hyperthermia with these markers. 2. To observe the effect of the three day trail run on systemic and urinary markers of muscle damage and inflammation on an additional hypercholesterolaemic female athlete using statin medication in combination with a lipid uptake inhibitor. Method Firstly, an observational cohort study was conducted on 19 recreational male (n=6) and female (n=13) athletes during a 95km trail run over three days. Pre-and post-stage and 24 and 72 h post-race concentrations of serum CPK, hsCRP, cortisol, cTnT, and osmolality (sOsm) as well as uMb, changes in body mass, delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and thigh circumference (TC) were measured. Continuous recordings of heart rate (HR) and intestinal temperature (Tintest ) were made throughout each stage. In addition, a case report is included on one trained female endurance athlete currently being treated for familial hypercholesterolaemia with 20 mg Aspavor and 10 mg Ezetrol daily and not included in the above cohort, to investigate the degree of muscle damage and inflammation she experienced as a result of participation in the three-day event. Results: Heart rate ranged between 77 and 83% age-predicted-maximum (APmax) and Tintest between 36.1 and 40.2 ºC during the three stages. Significant rises in mean serum CPK, hsCRP, sOsm and blood neutrophil count reached peak concentrations of 1 488U/L, 8.91mg/l, 298mosm/L and 10.21 10^9/L (p≤0.001), respectively. No evidence of elevations in uMb and cTnT were detected. The stage-induced increments in DOMS correlated positively with CPK, r=0.71; 95% CI [0.62, 0.78]. TC decreased significantly post S1post and S2post (p≤0.05) and a maximum mean body mass loss of 3.09% (±1.04%) occurred during S2. There was no significant difference between nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) users and non-users in terms of serum CPK, hsCRP, cortisol, post race DOMS scores, running times, TC or sOsm (p>0.05). The post-pre change in sOsm during each stage correlated inversely with the changes in % body mass, r = -0.36, 95% CI [-0.57,-0.094] and the pooled data examining the relationship between the change of sOsm and change in serum CPK for the three stages (n=57), revealed an insignificant positive correlation (r= 0.034, 95% CI [-0.228, 0.291]. The maximum Tintest ranged between 38.3 º C and 40.2 º C and only exceeded 40º C in two of the 12 athletes monitored. The relationship between the change in Tintest and serum CPK was insignificant (p>0.05) for the 11 individuals from whom complete sets of data were available (r= 0.24, 95% CI [-0.42, 0.734]. In the hypercholesterolaemic athlete, the maximum serum CPK (665U/L), hsCRP (1.9mg/Ll) and cortisol (845nmol/L) concentrations corresponded with undetected uMb despite a maximum body mass loss of 4.5% Conclusion: Three consecutive days of 95km trail running resulted in low markers of muscle damage and inflammation, when compared to results obtained in previous single day road races of similar duration despite the maintenance of a heart rate above 77% APmax, Tintest rising above 39o C and mean body mass decrement of >2.0%. The unchanged concentrations of serum cTnT and uMb confirmed the low values of the markers of muscle damage and inflammation. An insignificant positive correlation between muscle damage and dehydration was noted. Furthermore the daily use of 0.4 mg/kg Atorvastatin in combination with 10mg Ezetrol did not result in the subject experiencing subjective myalgia, cramps, fatigue or increased markers of muscle damage following her participation in the trail run. / Thesis (M.Med.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2012.

The purposes of this study is to determine: (a) the relationship between the dependant variables, (b) the relationship between the Borg pain scale and the performance tests, (c) the difference in performance between involved and uninvolved extremities, and (d) the effects of the three different therapeutic exercise treatments on selected performance tests and pain free isometric strength testing. Fifty subjects with physician diagnosed anterior knee pain (AKP), completed initial performance testing and 14 subjects completed initial testing, therapy and six weeks later final performance testing. The 14 subjects were randomly assigned to one of three therapeutic exercise treatment groups. The performance tests included; pain free isometric strength tests (90, 60, 45, and 15 degrees knee flexion), stair test, timed hop, triple hop, crossover hop, Figure 8 and Borg pain scale rating for each performance test. The results indicated a significant correlation between performance tests and pain free isometric strength tests. There was no relationship indicated between the performance tests, Borg pain scale ratings. The contrast between the injured and uninjured extremities performance test values of the fifty subjects that completed the initial testing indicated no significant (p< 0.05) difference. The results of this study indicated that there was no significant difference between the therapeutic exercise treatment groups. In conclusion, the three anterior knee pain treatments had no effect on strength and performance. / School of Physical Education