Thesis (M Sport Sc (Sport Science))--Stellenbosch University, 2007. / The study explored the potential of rugby as a developmental experience, not only in terms of the motor skills that lead to competence in rugby, but also in terms of learning more about the life-skill of goal setting. A 10 session pre-season programme entitled “More than Rugby” was designed and implemented in order to determine whether combining skill instruction with activities specifically designed to increase an understanding of goal setting had an impact on either the development of rugby competence or understanding about goal setting and perceptions of its use. A repeated measures experimental design was followed, with two groups of high school rugby players from similar sporting backgrounds involved: An experimental group who received pre-season rugby training as well as an intervention programme dealing with goal setting, and a control group who received only the pre-season rugby training, but no special goal setting activities. Both groups were pre tested and post tested on their rugby competence (through an individual rugby skill test circuit) and their understanding of goal setting The self reported use of goal setting perceptions, the relationship between goals and performance and the effects of goals on players was measured by means of a questionnaire (adapted GSI). The results revealed a significant improvement in the quality of rugby skills of the experimental group, but no significant improvement was found in the quality of the rugby skills of the control group. Both groups showed improvement in the speed at which rugby skills were performed, but in neither case was the improvement significant. The understanding of goal setting and the knowledge of setting goals did not improve significantly for either group. It can be concluded that the inclusion of life skills content and activities, such as goal setting in rugby development programmes will not detract from skill development outcomes. Although it can be noted that the greater improvement in skill levels was achieved by the group who received goal setting, more research is recommended to explain the positive link between life skills development and sport skills development.

Thesis (M Sport Sc)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigated the optimal training load required for peak-power production in two types of exercises, namely an Olympic-type and a ballistic exercise. The hang clean and the squat jump were selected to represent these two types of exercise. It was ascertained whether a change in strength levels and training status will have an effect on the optimal loads for peak-power production of rugby players. In addition, the influence that different playing positions have on power production was also investigated. Fifty-nine under-21 male rugby players (Mean Age 19.3yrs; SD ± 0.7yr) from two rugby academies, performed a maximal-strength test in the hang clean and squat, followed by a power test in the hang clean and squat jump with loads ranging from 30 to 90% of maximal strength (1RM). Testing was conducted in the pre-season phase and repeated during the inseason phase. Peak power for the hang clean was achieved at 90% 1RM in the pre-season and at 80% 1RM during the in-season. Peak power for the squat jump was achieved at 90% 1RM in the pre-season. However, this location of the optimal loading was not significantly higher than that of the other loadings (60, 70 and 80% 1RM). During the in-season, peak power for the squat jump was reached at 90% 1RM. Here again, the optimal-loading location was not significantly higher than that of the other loadings (50, 60, 70 and 80% 1RM). It was concluded that the optimal load for power production is 90% 1RM for the hang clean and 60-90% for the squat jump. It was found that an improvement in strength levels of the subjects affected both peak-power production and the optimal load in both exercises. During the in-season peak power in the hang clean was reached at 80% 1RM, and at 50% 1RM for the squat jump. There were no significant differences in the performances of subjects from different playing positions (forwards versus backline players). In the hang clean, peak-power production seems to be reliant on increased strength and results in peak-power output at high loads. The squat jump, on the other hand, is more reliant on velocity due to its ballistic nature and is possibly better suited to developing power at lighter loadings. Because it produces peak power at a lower percentage load than the hang clean, the squat jump could be more effective in power development for players who are inexperienced in power training. Long-term exercise periodisation in power training can therefore be employed progressively from simpler exercises (e.g., squat jump) using only the legs, to more complex exercises (e.g., Olympic-lifting) that involve the whole body. This study confirmed that the specific requirements of different sport codes should be considered meticulously before selecting and prescribing exercises and loads for power-training programmes. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die hooffokus van hierdie studie was op die optimale oefenlading wat vereis word vir die produsering van piek-profkrag tydens die uitvoering van twee tipes oefening, naamlik ’n Olimpiese- en ’n ballistiese oefening. Die hang clean en die squat jump is geselekteer om bogenoemde twee tipes oefening te verteenwoordig. Daar is bepaal of ’n verbetering van die krag-vlakke en oefenstatus van rugbyspelers ’n invloed het op die optimale ladings vir piek-plofkrag ontwikkeling. Verder is die moontlike rol van verskillende speelposisies ondersoek. Nege-en-vyftig onder-21 mans-rugbyspelers (M-ouderdom 19.3jr; SD ± 0.7jr) vanuit twee rugbyakademies het ’n maksimale-krag toets in die hang clean en squat uitgevoer. Dit is opgevolg deur ’n plofkrag-toets in die hang clean en squat jump met ladings wat gewissel het van tussen 30 en 90% van maksimale werkverrigting (1RM). Toetsing het plaasgevind in die voor-seisoen fase en is herhaal tydens die daaropvolgende speelseisoen. Piek-plofkrag vir die hang clean is bereik tydens ’n oefenlading van 90% 1RM in die voor-seisoen en by 80% 1RM later in die speelseisoen. Piek-plofkrag vir die squat jump is behaal by 90% 1RM in die voor-seisoen fase. Hierdie optimale lading-lokasie was egter nie beduidend hoër as by die ander ladings van 60, 70 en 80% 1RM nie. Tydens die speelseisoen is piek-plofkrag bereik in die squat jump by 90% 1RM. Die optimale lading-lokasie was weereens nie beduidend hoër as by die ander ladings van 50, 60, 70 en 80% 1RM nie. Daar is tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat die optimale oefenlading vir die ontwikkeling van piek-plofkrag vir die hang clean 90% 1RM is, en 60% vir die squat jump. Daar is ook gevind dat ’n verbetering in kragvlakke van die toetslinge, beide piek-plofkrag-produksie en die optimale oefenbelading in albei oefeninge beïnvloed. Tydens die speelseisoen is piek-plofkrag behaal in die hang clean by 80% 1RM, en by 50% 1RM in die squat jump. Geen beduidende verskille in werkverrigting is gevind tussen toetslinge uit verskillende speelposisies (voorspelers versus agterlyn-spelers) nie. Dit blyk dat in die hang clean, die produksie van plofkrag beïnvloed word deur ’n verbetering in krag en dat dit tot hoër optimale ladings vir piek-plofkrag produksie lei. Die squat jump, in teenstelling, is meer afhanklik van snelheid en is moontlik beter geskik vir die produsering van plofkrag teen ligter oefenladings. Omdat die squat jump piek-plofkrag genereer teen laer ladings as die hang clean, kan dit meer effektief wees vir spelers met gebrekkige ervaring in krag-oefening. Lang-termyn oefen-periodisering in plofkrag-oefening kan gevolglik progressief aangewend word vanaf eenvoudiger oefeninge (bv. squat jump), waar slegs die bene gebruik word, tot meer komplekse oefeninge (bv. Olimpiese-gewigoptel) waar die hele liggaam betrek word. Hierdie studie bevestig dat die spesifieke vereistes van verskillende sportkodes deeglik oorweeg moet word alvorens oefeninge en ladings geselekteer en voorgeskryf word vir plofkrag-programme.

Thesis (MEd)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of the study was to compare the effectiveness of an aquatic- and landbased plyometric programme upon selected, sport-specific performance variables in adolescent male, rugby union players. A group of 52 rugby players (age: 16.3 ± 0.8 years, height: 176 ± 6.9 cm and body mass: 76.1 ± 11.9 kg) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: aquatic group (n=18), land group (n=17), and a control group (n=17). Prior to and after the sevenweeks of training, the power, agility and speed of participants were assessed by means of Fitrodyne repeated countermovement jumps, the Sergeant vertical jump, the Illinois agility test, a standing broad jump, and a 10- and 40- metre sprint. All three groups maintained their summer extra-curricular sport commitments during the intervention period. When the three groups were analysed, no significant differences were found between the groups with regard to all tested performance variables. With regard to withingroup changes, the aquatic group improved significantly (p<0.05) in the Illinois agility test, performed to the right. The land group showed significant (p<0.05) improvements in peak concentric power during Fitrodyne repeated countermovement jumps. All groups reflected highly significant (p<0.01) improvements in the Sergeant vertical jump. None of the groups displayed any improvements in sprint speed. The control was the only group to improve significantly in the standing broad jump (p<0.05). Land-based plyometric training might be a functionally superior training modality for athletes, although aquatic plyometrics could also offer an effective training modality for performance enhancement in power-based sports such as rugby union football. Aquatic-based plyometrics should not completely replace land-based plyometrics, as it might not adequately develop the specific neuromuscular patterns or functional needs of explosive sports. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie was om die effektiwiteit van ‘n water- en landgebaseerde pliometriese program met mekaar te vergelyk in terme van geselekteerde, sportspesifieke uitvoeringsveranderlikes in manlike adolessente rugbyspelers. ‘n Groep van 52 rugbyspelers (ouderdom: 16.3 ± 0.8 jaar, lengte: 176 ± 6.9 cm en liggaamsmassa: 76.1 ± 11.9 kg) is lukraak in een van drie groepe ingedeel: watergroep (n=18), landgroep (n=17), en ‘n kontrolegroep (n=17). Voor en na die sewe-weke oefenprogram, is spelers se plofkrag, ratsheid en spoed getoets deur middel van Fitrodyne herhaalde spronge, Sergeant vertikale sprong, Illinois ratsheidstoets, staande verspring, en ‘n 10- en 40-m spoedtoets. Al drie groepe het vir die duur van die intervensieperiode met hulle somersport aangegaan. Na analise van die drie groepe se data, is daar geen statisties betekenisvolle verskille tussen die groepe ten opsigte van die prestasieveranderlikes gevind nie. Die waterpliometriese groep se prestasie in die Illinois ratsheidstoets na regs het statisties beduidend (p<0.05) verbeter. Die landgroep het betekenisvolle (p<0.05) verbetering in die piek konsentriese plofkrag met die Fitrodyne herhaalde spronge getoon. Aldrie groepe het betekenisvolle (p<0.01) verbetering getoon in die Sergeant vertikale sprong. Geen groep se spoed het verbeter nie. Slegs die kontrolegroep se staande verspring het statisties betekenisvol verbeter. Land-gebaseerde pliometriese oefening kan moontlik, vanuit ‘n funksionele oogpunt, ‘n beter oefenmodaliteit vir atlete wees. Watergebaseerde pliometriese oefening kan egter ook ‘n oefenmodaliteit vir sport wat plofkrag vereis, soos rugby, wees. Watergebaseerde pliometriese oefening behoort nie land-gebaseerde pliometriese oefening te vervang nie, omdat dit moontlik nie aan die spesifieke neuromuskulêre patrone en funksionele behoeftes van eksplosiewe sport voldoen nie.

Racism in sport has progressed from being blatant during Apartheid to being subtler in the 'New South Africa'. Using discourse analysis, this thesis focuses on how subtle racism reveals itself through the 'development' programme in rugby. 'Development' players are constructed as racially inferior to white rugby players. The white institution of rugby is portrayed as a philanthropic organisation whose aim is to 'help' 'development' players raise their levels of skill. In this way, white rugby is constructed as being non-racist. By locating 'development' subjects as being inferior, and disguising this with philanthropy, the 'development' programme serves to reproduce the oppressive power relations between whites and blacks involved in rugby as it was during Apartheid. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sci.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1999.