Thesis (PhD (Sport Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / Stress and coping are complex phenomena that are not always fully understood. They are psychological factors that impinge on individuals and people’s responses in dealing with them are described and interpreted in various ways. This study compared the coping strategies used by football players from ethnically diverse backgrounds. The aim was to explore the role that the environment, ethnicity and culture play in players' responses to stressful situations. A sample of 33 players was drawn from a professional club in the Professional Premier Soccer League in the Western Cape, Republic of South Africa. Subjects were representative in terms of race, age, years of experience and playing positions. Eleven black, coloured and white players for each group were selected for individual interviews. Their ages ranged between 15 and 32 years. An interpretive-qualitative research methodology was employed. Semistructured interviews and a biographical questionnaire were used as tools to gather information. The data were analyzed using interpretive analysis or the immersion crystallization method. The results revealed that football players were exposed to stress and there were differences and similarities in the way they conducted themselves. The similarities were recorded on matters related to match situations e.g., pressure to perform, inclusion in a starting line-up, and unruly behavior of supporters. Differences were cited on issues related to language, culture, financial matters, poor playing conditions, negative evaluation of the team by others, losing matches, referees' decisions and being away from home. These differences were found both between and within ethnic groups. Players' perceptions of stress showed that black players were experiencing more stress than the other two ethnic groups and white players were experiencing far less stress than the other two groups. Despite this finding, the majority of players reported to have been in control of stressful situations. The perception of lack of control was reported by black and coloured players only. It appeared that background experience of stressful events was producing greater psychosocial consequences for non-white players than white players. The football players used multiple strategies to cope with their sport challenges and there were both differences and similarities within and between the ethnic groups in the use of these strategies. Subjects used problem-focused coping, emotion-focused coping, passive coping, and avoidance coping in stressful situations. Problem-focused coping and emotion-focused coping were the dominant strategies employed by all three groups. Passive coping and avoidance coping were the lesser-used strategies and were employed by the three groups in situations where players felt that they could not exert control e.g., playing conditions or dubious referees' decisions. Self-criticism, not blaming others, adopting a negative approach, substance use/abuse and turning to religion were the strategies that appeared only in specific groups. This finding supports the hypothesis of differences in strategies related to differences in ethnic backgrounds. It was also revealed that football players were responding differently to stressful challenges that were presented at the different stages of the match. The dominant strategies used at the pre-match stage by the nonwhite group were: planning and preparation, relaxation, praying, focusing and concentration. At the same stage, white players used mostly focusing, concentration and planning. There were strong similarities between the groups in the use of these strategies. During the match stage, non-white players used active coping, positive approach, suppression of competitive activities, focusing and concentration. White players used similar strategies including emotional expression and mental disengagement. Different strategies were employed by players during the match stage, most of them being problem-focused strategies. In the post-match stage players used less-dominant coping strategies. Some strategies were used by players in all three ethnic groups and others appeared in specific groups only, e.g., substance use (coloured group) and passive thinking (white group). The study further revealed that coping strategies could be classified either as sport or non-sport related. A variety of sport-related strategies were found mostly during the pre-match and match stages. The nonsport related strategies appeared mostly during the post-match stage and were used mostly by non-white players. Concerning the processes involved in the selection of strategies, the study revealed that thought-out processes, automatic processes, influence of experience and a combination of processes were used to identify and select coping strategies. Processing of information was a preferred option used by the three groups of players to identify strategies and very few players used automatic processes. Between-group differences were found in the relationship between environmental background and previous experience and the players' selection of coping strategies. For black and coloured players this influence related mostly from factors outside their home environment. For white players it came from within their home situations. The study showed that factors that affected the players in selecting coping strategies, were both intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic factors included personal safety and protection, performance, self-control and personal experience. Extrinsic factors included stress, influence of others, institutional influences, social background, pleasing others, family obligation, opponents and research. White players used intrinsic and extrinsic factors with equal frequency. Non-white players on the other hand, used fewer intrinsic factors than extrinsic factors. The results also showed that relatively less-experienced players were inclined to use achievement motivation as a determining factor. Black players were influenced by one other factor that did not appear in the other groups, that is, family obligations. Finally, exhaustion, cultural differences, language, absence of a family support structure, peer pressure, home circumstances, communication, diet, substance use/abuse, being in a new environment, personality differences and high expectations were identified as factors that restrict the use of coping strategy. Exhaustion and cultural differences appeared across all three groups. Group differences were however observed in language, absence of a family support structure, peer pressure, home circumstances, high expectations, and absence of compliments. These restrictive factors were experienced differently within and between the three ethnic groups and originated from exposure, challenges, and experiences that players encounter in their daily life situations.

Thesis (PhD (Sport Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / The continued integration of our global society has caused a shift in human social interaction and redefined the contexts of adolescents’ lives. Adolescents are inundated with a variety of choices at a stage of their lives where they are trying to create their own identity. This critical period of development is highlighted by an increased desire to experiment with adult life. Thus is experimentation not uncommon. The study examines the prevalence of a range of health risk behaviours amongst adolescent girls. It focuses on the identification of behaviours such as violence, smoking, alcohol and drug use and abuse, sexual behaviours, dietary behaviours and physical inactivity that place adolescents at increased risk for premature morbidity and mortality. An intervention programme was launched at the schools concerned in an effort to address these behaviour patterns and to inform learners regarding the dangers of these health risk factors. The sample population was selected from three previously disadvantaged high schools in the Worcester region. Due to restrictive circumstances at the schools, the sample could not be randomly selected and therefore the study is based on a quasi-experimental research approach. A sample of 1805 adolescent girls in Grades 8 to 10 completed a questionnaire, which assessed a range of health risk behaviours. This questionnaire was based on the Youth Risk Behaviour Survey (YRBS) and completed by all the respondents during the pre-test. A control and experimental group was selected from the Grades concerned, at the different schools. The experimental group was subjected to a six-months long intervention programme. At the end of the intervention programme a post-test was conducted on both the control and experimental groups. Four months after the post-test the respondents were subjected to the same test, which is now known as the follow-up test. The girls who dropped out of the study as it progressed are referred to as the drop-out group. Information regarding the socio-economic background of the girls, as well as permission to take part in the study, was obtained from the parents by means of a questionnaire. A self-designed questionnaire was used to obtain information regarding the state and status of Physical Education (PE) and movement programmes within Life Orientation at the schools. Teachers who were responsible for Grades 8, 9 and 10, completed the questionnaire. To keep track of body size and growth, mass and length were determined and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Blood pressure was measured to determine to what extend these girls suffer from hypertension. Skinfold measures were taken to determine the fat percentage. The 20m shuttle run (Bleep test) was used to indirectly determine the physical activity levels of the respondents. The main results are discussed next. The results indicate that more respondents in the post-test (64%) reported that learners carry weapons on school grounds than in the pre-test. According to the results 64% of the respondents indicated in the post-test that learners carry weapons on school grounds compared to 29% of the respondents in the follow-up test (p<0.01). The pre-tests results indicate that 11% of the respondents smoke cigarettes in comparison to 14% in the post-test (p<0.01). Approximately 9% of the respondents in the pre-test indicated that they drank at least one alcoholic drink in the week before the study was undertaken in comparison to the 22% of the post-test (p<0.01). Regarding the smoking of dagga 2% of the respondents indicated in the pre-test that they smoked dagga whereas 9% in the post-test indicated that they did. More sexual active respondents during the follow-up test (57%) indicated that they used condoms during their last sexual experience than in the post-test (46%). The results of the pre-test indicate that approximately 49% of the respondents did something to loose weight or to prevent weight-gain in comparison to the 25% of the post-test and the 31% of the follow-up test. According the results, 35% of the respondents purported to have PE at their school in comparison to 30% during the post-test and 54% during the follow-up test. Although there were some exceptions, in most cases a tendency existed that indicated an increase in the variables measured between the pre-test and post-test. In most cases the results remained constant between the post-test and the follow-up test. This study can therefore be a starting point for further research into the process to combat health risk behaviours amongst adolescent girls. This can be done with educational programmes in cooperation with several role-players in the community.

Thesis (M Sport Sc (Sport Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / The ability to execute a powerful throw is an essential skill for netball and cricket players. Numerous accurate, powerful throws are being made during the course of a match. It is thus necessary to focus on the development of excellent technique, as well as the development of the physical aspects that might contribute to the effectiveness and efficiency of the throwing action. The aim of the study was to determine which specific physical factors play a significant role in the distance that netball and cricket players can throw a ball. The distance of the thrown ball was also seen as an indirect measure of the power with which the throw was executed, with a greater distance implying more power. A group of volunteer subjects was drawn from the local netball and cricket clubs from the Stellenbosch area. Thirty nine injury-free, club level subjects participated in the study, of whom twelve (n=12) were male and twenty four (n=24) were female. Various physical factors were selected that give an indication of its contribution to a powerful throw for distance. Range of motion assessments involved the range of the shoulder joint, as well as the elbow joint, wrist joint and the back. The strength of the internal rotators was compared to the strength of the external rotators in the shoulder joint. Core stability was assessed by doing two different tests, with one involving shoulder stability as well. The relationship between upper-limb length and the throwing distance was assessed. Various anthropometric measurements were done, including height, weight, skinfolds, and the “wing span”. Throwing for distance was measured while the subjects remained seated on a chair. This throwing position was chosen in an attempt to eliminate the contribution of the kinetic chain that generates momentum in the lower extremities which get transferred to the upper extremities. It was thus an attempt to only focus on the involvement of the upper extremities. This seated throwing position is also often used as a test for throwing ability in athletes. Throwing for distance was also done with the subject strapped onto the chair to exclude the involvement of the core in the transfer or generation of energy. Results from this study showed that there were very few physical factors that had significant correlations in both groups. In the cricket players, factors from the isokinetic testing played a significant roll, but not in the netball players. There was a significant correlation which was positive with the average peak torque concentric/concentric 180 degrees/second with external rotation seated on the chair (r=0.46; p=0.03). There is also a tendency towards a significant correlation when the subject was seated in average peak torque concentric/concentric at 90 degrees/second both with internal (r=0.52; p=0.06) and external rotation (r=0.62; p=0.05). The peak torque concentric/concentric at 90 degrees/second during external rotation (r=0.61; p=0.06) and the peak torque concentric/concentric at 90 degrees/second during internal rotation (r=0.49; p=0.06). Both tended to a correlation but were not significant. There was found to be a few positive and statistical significant factors the average power concentric/concentric contractions at 90 degrees/second during external rotation when seated on the chair (r=0.64 and p=0.03) and average power concentric/concentric contractions at 180 degrees/second during external rotation when seated on chair (r=0.58; p=0.04) as well as strapped in on chair (r=0.06; p=0.03). It cannot be concluded there are any specific physical factors that would influence the distance thrown in both the netball and the cricket players. It can thus be assumed that a number of other factors might play a more important role in the execution of a powerful throw for distance, such as the involvement of the total well-coordinated kinetic chain, and the throwing techniques.

Thesis (M Sport Sc (Sport Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of two different approaches to presenting content during a sport module in physical education on the movement competence and self-esteem of children ages 11 - 12. One approach consisted of competitive activities and the other approach consisted of cooperative activities and cooperative learning. The following measurement criteria were selected to assess movement competence: response time, coincident timing, eye-hand coordination (throwing and catching) and eye-hand coordination (striking). Harter’s (1982) Perceived Competence Scale for Children was used to measure children’s perceptions their competence in terms of cognitive, social and physical competence and general self-esteem. Pre-tests were administered to a competitive activities group (n=14), a cooperative activities group (n=14) and a control group (n=25). Following a10-week intervention programme, the competitive group achieved significant improvements in response time and eye-hand coordination (striking). The cooperative group improved significantly in their response time. There were no significant improvements in the control group. None of the groups demonstrated significant changes in perceptions of cognitive, social or physical competence or on general self-esteem. This study concluded that participation in cooperative activities as well as competitive activities can help children develop their movement competence. Approaches to the development of positive self-perceptions and self-esteem still require further research. Neither the nature of competitive activities nor cooperative activities seemed sufficient to produce changes.

Thesis (MScSportSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this qualitative-quantitative study was to describe the exercise intensity and predictors of performance of a multi-stage mountain bike (MTB) race (2014 Absa Cape Epic) lasting 8 days. Twenty-three amateur mountain bikers (age 39 ± 9 years, height 178.8 ± 8.2 cm, body mass 74.7 ± 9.1 kg, VO2max 54 ± 7 ml.kg-1.min-1) who completed the 2014 Absa Cape Epic were involved in the study. The participants were divided into two groups according to their MTB experience. The experienced group included participants who previously completed more than three 3-day multi-stage MTB events and the novices group included those who has completed less than 3-day multi-stage MTB events. Prior to the event the participants completed a maximal aerobic cycling test and a simulated 40 km time trial (TT). The maximal aerobic test was used to determine 3 work intensity zones based on heart rate (HR) corresponding to blood lactate thresholds (LT: increase in blood lactate concentration of 1 mmol.l-1 above baseline values and the onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA), a fixed blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol.l-1). There were no statistically significant differences in the physical, physiological and performance variables measured in the laboratory between the two groups. The exercise intensity during the Cape Epic was measured using telemetric HR monitoring sets. RPE values were noted after each stage of the race. The mean HR was 88.1 ± 5.3% (experienced) and 84.2 ± 11.0% (novices) of maximal HR during the race or 88.9 ± 3.5% (experienced) and 85.9 ± 10.6 (novices) of laboratory determined maximum HR. More time was spent in the “low” HR zone (43.1 % vs 58.5 %, respectively), while only a small amount of time was spent in the “hard” HR zone (7.4% and 6.1%, respectively). The experienced group spent statistically significantly more time in the “moderate” HR zone compared to the novices group (49.5 % vs. 35.4 %). The experienced group performed significantly better during the event compared to the novices group in both the total event time (P = 0.004) and the general classification (P = 0.01). Relative and absolute power output (PO) at OBLA (P = 0.01 and 0.02, respectively) were statistically significant predictors of total event time, while relative peak power output was a significant predictor of general classification for the event (P = 0.02) . The total TT time was a significant predictor of average event HR (P = 0.03). This study showed that this MTB stage race is physiologically very demanding and requires cyclists to have excellent endurance capacity, as well as strength and power. The parameters from the maximal aerobic capacity test correlated better with outdoor performance than parameters from the simulated 40 km TT. Therefore the standard maximal aerobic capacity test are sufficient for testing mountain bikers and sport scientists can continue using this test to prescribe exercise intensity zones for training and events. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie kwalitatiewe-kwantitatiewe studie was om die oefeningsintensiteit en voorspellers van prestasie tydens ‘n multi-dag bergfiets kompetisie (Absa Cape Epic) van 8 dae lank te bepaal. Drie-en-twintig bergfietsryers (ouderdom 39 ± 9 jaar, lengte 178.8 ± 8.2 cm, liggaamsmassa 74.7 ± 9.1 kg, VO2maks 54 ± 7 ml.kg-1.min-1) wat die 2014 Absa Cape Epic voltooi het, het aan die studie deelgeneem. Die deelnemers is in twee groepe verdeel volgens hulle ervaring in multi-dag bergfiets kompetisies. Die ervare groep was al die deelnemers wat meer as drie 3-dae multi-dag bergfiets kompetisies voltooi het. Die onervare groep was al die deelnemers wat minder as drie 3-dag multi-dag bergfiets kompetisies voltooi het. Voor die kompetisie het al die deelnemers ‘n maksimale aërobiese toets en ‘n gesimuleerde 40 km tydtoets in die laboratorium voltooi. Die maksimale aërobiese toets is gebruik om drie werk intensiteit sones volgens die hartspoed te bepaal, naamlik die hartspoed by die laktaatdraaipunt(‘n toename in bloed [laktaat] van 1 mmol.l-1 bo die basislynwaardes) en die hartspoed by die aanvang van bloedlaktaat akkummulasie (‘n vaste bloed [laktaat] waarde van 4 mmol.l-1). Daar was geen statisties betekenisvolle verskille in die fisiese, fisiologiese en prestasie veranderlikes tussen die twee groepe nie. Die oefeningsintensiteit tydens die Cape Epic was gemeet deur gebruik te maak van hartspoedmonitors. Die RPE waardes was aan die einde van elke skof genoteer. Die gemiddelde hartspoed was 88.1 ± 5.3 % (ervare) en 84.2 ± 11.0 % (onervare) van maksimale kompetisie hartspoed, of 88.9 ± 3.5 % (ervare) en 85.9 ± 10.6 % (onervare) van die maksimale hartspoed soos in die laboratorium gemeet. Die fietsryers het meer tyd spandeer in die “lae” hartspoed sone (43.1 % vs 58.5 %, onderskeidelik), in vergelyking met die “moeilike” hartspoed sone (7.4 % vs 6.1 %, onderskeidelik). Die ervare groep het statisties betekenisvol meer tyd in die “matige” hartspoed sone spandeer (49.5 % vs. 35.4 %) in vergelyking met die onervere groep. Die ervare groep het beter presteer tydens die kompetisie vir beide totale kompetisie tyd (P = 0.004) en algehele klassifikasie (P = 0.01). Relatiewe en absolute krag by aanvang van bloed laktaat akkumulasie was statisties betekenisvolle voorspellers van totale kompetisie tyd (P = 0.01 en 0.02, onderskeidelik), terwyl maksimale krag ‘n statisties betekenisvolle voorspeller was van algehele klassifikasie in die kompetisie (P = 0.02). Die totale tydtoets tyd was ‘n statisties betekenisvolle voorspeller van gemiddelde hartspoed tydens die kompetisie. Die studie het gewys dat hierdie multi-dag bergfiets kompetisie fisiologies baie uitdagend is en dat fietsryers uistekende uithouvermoë kapasiteit, sowel as krag en plofkrag moet besit. Die veranderlikes van die maksimale aërobiese toets het beter met prestasie in die veld gekorreleer as die veranderlikes van die gesimuleerde 40 km tydtoets. Daar word dus afgelei dat die standaard maksimale aërobiese toets voldoende is vir die toetsing van bergfietsryers en sportwetenskaplikes kan aanhou om hierdie toets te gebruik om oefeningsintensiteit sones voor te skryf vir oefensessies en kompetisies.

Thesis (M Sport Sc (Sport Science))--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Adolescence is the period between childhood and adulthood. This phase starts between the ages of 11 and 13 years and ends between 17 and 21 years. Adolescence was seen as a phase of development, growth and excellent health in the past, but that is not the case in the 21st century. The health of adolescent are being influenced by technology such as computers and televisions, crime, poor eating habits, the absence of Physical Education at schools, urbanization, overpopulation and less available space for children to play. These aspects lead to a sedentary lifestyle which may impact their health in the form of hypokinetic diseases. The primary aim of this study was to determine the lifestyle patterns of adolescents in selected Western Cape high schools. The secondary aims of this study were to determine the lifestyle patterns of different ethnic groups; those of boys and girls; and to compare these lifestyle patterns with those of adolescents 10 years ago. In this study, two questionnaires were used for data collection: a questionnaire for the adolescents; and one for the Life Orientation teachers. The high schools (N=30) were randomly selected to partake in the study. Out of each school learners (N=60) were also randomly selected to partake in the study. The 60 learners consisted of [n=15] boys and [n=15] girls in Grade 9 and [n=15] boys and [n=15] girls in Grade 11 between the ages of 15 and 17 years. One Life Orientation teacher was also randomly selected from each school. Data from the two questionnaires were coded in computer format and statistically analysed with the computer program Stasoft Statistica Version 10. From the results of the study it can be concluded that neither White nor Coloured adolescents found school sport important nor they did not partake in sporting activities on a regular basis. Adolescent boys, on the other hand, were found to be much more active than adolescent girls. Adolescent girls preferred sedentary activities like listening to music and reading books. Both White and Coloured adolescents, and boys and girls, found their health to be excellent despite the fact that research showed the opposite to be true. White adolescents also found socialising more important than Coloured adolescents. Coloured adolescent on the other hand found household chores more important. Boys and Coloured adolescents attended self defence classes on a regular basis. This study is a follow-up study on one conducted by Van Deventer in 1999. It serves as a basis for further research and it is recommended that a new study should be conducted every 10 years to determine changes in the lifestyle patterns of adolescents so that it can be addressed. Further research is recommended because of the low feedback of Life Orientation teachers to determine and address the status of Life Orientation presently in schools, the attitudes of teachers and learners toward Life Orientation, Education and training of Life Orientation teachers, apparatus and facilities needs and time allocation towards the movement component in Life Orientation. Further research is also recommended because of the insufficient feedback received from Black learners. It is also important to determine their lifestyle patterns so that recommendations in this regard can be made. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Adolessensie is die periode tussen die kinderjare en volwassenheid. Die fase begin tussen die ouderdomme van 11 en 13 jaar en eindig tussen 17 en 21 jaar. Adolessensie is vroeër as 'n fase van groei, ontwikkeling en goeie gesondheid beskou maar dit is nie meer die geval nie. Adolessente se gesondheid word huidig deur beskikbare tegnologie soos televisie en rekenaars, vervoer, misdaad, verstedeliking, minder sportgronde as gevolg van oorbevolking, gebrekkige Liggaamlike Opvoeding by skole en ongesonde eetgewoontes belemmer. Dit kan tot sedentêre leefstylpatrone aanleiding gee wat hipokinetiese siektes kan meebring. Die hoofdoel van die studie was om die leefstylpatrone van adolessente in geselekteerde hoërskole van die Wes-Kaapse Onderwysdepartement te bepaal. Daar was ook op die volgende subprobleme gefokus: die vergelyking van die leefstylpatrone van verskillende etniese groepe, die vergelyking van die leefstylpatrone van seuns en meisies en die vergelyking van die leefstylpatrone van huidige adolessente met dié van 10 jaar gelede. Twee vraelyste was vir die insameling van die data gebruik. Een wat leerders en die ander die Lewensoriëntering-onderwyser voltooi het. Die hoërskole (N=30) was ewekansig geselekteer. Uit elke hoërskool was leerders (N=60) ewekansig: uit Graad 9 [n=15] seuns en [n=15] meisies en uit Graad 11 [n=15] seuns en [n=15] meisies tussen die ouderdomme van 15 en 17 geselekteer. Een Lewensoriëntering-onderwyser per skool was ook ewekansig geselekteer. Die data wat vanaf die vraelyste verkry was, is in rekenaarformaat gekodeer en statisties verwerk. Stasoft Statistica Weergawe 10 is vir verdere dataverwerking gebruik. Daar is tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat beide Wit en Bruin adolessente sport as onbelangrik geag het en ongereeld daaraan deelneem het. Adolessente seuns het sport belangriker geag en ook meer gereeld as adolessente meisies daaraan deelgeneem. Adolessente meisies het sedentêre aktiwiteite, soos om te lees en na musiek te luister, belangriker as adolessente seuns geag. Wit en Bruin adolessente, en die seuns en meisies, het hul gesondheid goed geag al bewys navorsing die teendeel. Wit adolessente het meer as Bruin adolessente gesosialiseer, terwyl Bruin adolessente huishoudelike take belangriker as Wit adolessente geag het. Adolessente seuns en Bruin adolessente het gereeld selfverdedigingsklasse bygewoon. Die onderhawige studie is 'n opvolgstudie wat deur Van Deventer in 1999 uitgevoer is en dien as rigtingwyser vir verdere navorsing. 'n Opvolgstudie elke 10 jaar is ideaal sodat die veranderinge in leefstylpatrone onder adolessente gemonitor en aangespreek kan word. Verdere navorsing word as gevolg van die lae terugvoersyfer van Lewensoriënteringonderwysers aanbeveel sodat die volgende aangespreek kan word: die status wat Lewensoriëntering huidig geniet; die gesindheid van onderwysers en leerders teenoor Lewensoriëntering; onderwyseropleiding; apparaat en fasiliteit behoeftes; en die tydstoekenning vir die bewegingskomponent van Lewensoriëntering. Verdere navorsing word as gevolg van die lae terugvoersyfer van Swart adolessente aanbeveel sodat hul leefstylpatrone ook bepaal en aanbevelings daarvolgens gemaak kan word.

Thesis (M Sport Sc)--Stellenbosch University, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Global aging is occurring at an unprecedented rate. South Africa has the highest proportion of older adults in Southern Africa, with nearly 7% of the population over the age of 60 years in 1997. However, although people are living longer, statistics show that they are not necessarily living healthier. The majority of women who outlive men have to deal with more chronic diseases as well as a poorer functional status than the latter. The purpose of the present study was to implement a movement competence programme suited to the needs of South African older adult women; requiring inexpensive apparatus and that can be performed in any environment. A time-series design was used which included follow up testing 9 months after the cessation of the movement competence programme. The intervention group consisted out of 21 (76.14±5.44 years) older adult women, who were randomly selected from a retirement village. The movement competence programme was broad based in nature and was performed in two one hourly sessions a week for 12 weeks. After pre-tests of functional capacity, selfperception and resilience, the older adult women were tested using the Physical Self-Perception Profile (Fox & Corbin, 1989) and the Resilience Scale (Connor & Davidson, 2003) respectively. Significant improvements (p<0.05) were observed in the Berg Balance Scale, 8-Foot Up-and-Go and the Physical Self-Perception’s results of the older adult women. No significant (p>0.05) difference was noted in the Barthel Index and Resilience Scale after the 12-week movement competence programme. Follow up testing indicated a significant improvement in the resilience of the older adult women who continued to exercise, compared to those that chose a sedentary lifestyle after the movement competence programme. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Globale veroudering vind teen ’n ongekende tempo plaas. Suid-Afrika beskik oor die hoogste verhouding ouer volwassenes in Suidelike Afrika met amper 7% van die populasie in 1997 ouer as 60 jaar. Hoewel mense egter langer lewe toon statistiek dat hulle nie noodwendig gesonder lewe nie. Die meerderheid dames wat langer lewe as mans het te kampe met meer chroniese siektes asook ’n swakker funksionele status as dié van laasgenoemde. Die doel van die huidige studie was om ’n bewegingsbevoegdheidsprogram te implementeer wat aan die behoeftes van ouer Suid-Afrikaanse volwasse dames voldoen, waar goedkoop toerusting benodig word en in enige omgewing uitgevoer kan word. ’n “time-series” ontwerp was gebruik wat opvolgtoetse ingesluit het nege maande ná die beëindiging van die bewegingsbevoegdheidsprogram. Die intervensiegroep het bestaan uit 21 (76.14±5.44 jaar) ouer volwasse dames wat lukraak geselekteer is by ’n aftree-oord. Die bewegingsbevoegdheidsprogram was breed in fokus en was uitgevoer in twee eenuurlikse sessies per week vir 12 weke. Ná voortoetse oor funksionele kapasiteit, selfpersepsie en veerkrag, is die ouer volwasse dames getoets deur respektiewelik gebruik te maak van die Fisieke Selfpersepsie Profiel (Fox & Corbin, 1989) en die Veerkragskaal (Connor & Davidson, 2003). Beduidende verbeterings (p<0.05) van die ouer volwasse dames is waargeneem in die Berg Balansskaal, “8-Foot Up-and-Go” en die resultate op die Fisieke Selfpersepsie. Geen beduidende (p>0.05) verskil is waargeneem in die Barthel Indeks en Veerkragskaal ná die 12 weke aanbieding van die bewegingsbevoegdheidsprogram nie. Opvolgtoetse het ’n beduidende verbetering aangedui in die veerkrag van die ouer volwasse dames wat aangehou het met oefening in teenstelling met dié wat gekies het om ’n sedentêre leefstyl te volg nadat die bewegingsbevoegdheidsprogram voltooi is.