Motivation Hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus are common in the black population of South Africa. The literature also shows that elevated blood glucose concentrations can lead to an increase in blood pressure and a blunted decline in nocturnal blood pressure. Therefore, the motivation for this study was to determine if blood glucose may play a role regarding the blunted nocturnal decline in blood pressure in African and Caucasian men. Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between a blunted nocturnal decline in blood pressure and blood glucose in African and Caucasian men. Methodology A comparative population study was preformed that consisted of 202 school teachers (101 African and 101 Caucasian) between the ages of 25–60 years from the North West Province, South Africa. Subjects were excluded if their body temperature was elevated, had a dependence or abuse of psychotropic substances, were regular blood donors and/or vaccinated in the previous three months. Ambulatory systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured. Blood samples from the antebrachial vein were collected in sodium fluoride tubes to determine the serum glucose level and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) percentage. Estimated average glucose (eAG) was determined from the percentage HbA1c by means of a regression formula. Means and proportions were compared by standard t–test and the chi–square test, respectively. Pearson correlations were used to determine unadjusted associations and multiple regression analysis to determine adjusted associations between variables. Results and Conclusion African men had an elevated HbA1c (p<0.001), eAG (p<0.001), nighttime SBP (p<0.001) and DBP (p<0.001). These results remained similar when non–dipping African and Caucasian men were compared. The Africans also smoked more (p=0.012), consumed more alcohol (p=0.049), had a higher percentage of non–dippers (p=0.054), HIV infected subjects (p<0.001) and a larger number of subjects that used anti–hypertensive medication (p=0.049). The unadjusted analysis showed positive correlations between all the blood pressure measurements and serum glucose, HbA1c and eAG in the African non–dipper men. While in the non–dipper Caucasian men, only daytime SBP and nighttime SBP (22:00–06:00) correlated positively with serum glucose, HbA1c and eAG. Furthermore, when viewing the relationship between carotid intima–media thickness (CIMT) and the blood pressure measurements in the African population, only nighttime (00:00– 04:00) SBP (r=0.581, p<0.001) and DBP (r=0.566, p<0.001) showed positive associations. After adjustments were made for age and body mass index the associations between the various blood pressure measurements and blood glucose disappeared in the non–dipper Caucasian men. However, in the non–dipper African men both nighttime (22:00–06:00) SBP and (00:00– 04:00) SBP showed positive correlations with serum glucose, HbA1c and eAG. After full adjustments (age, BMI, smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity, C–reactive protein and baroreceptor sensitivity) were made, nighttime (00:00–04:00) SBP was the only measure of blood pressure that correlated positively with HbA1c (p=0.069) and eAG (p<0.001) in the nondipper African men. No significant relationships were found for Caucasian men. Furthermore, to determine if the association between nighttime (00:00–04:00) SBP and eAG were independent of CIMT, we adjusted for CIMT. By doing so the positive association between SBP and eAG remained significant in the non–dipper African men (R2=0.617; =0.438; p=0.008) and nonsignificant in the non–dipper Caucasian men (R2=0.423; =0.169; p=0.33). However, the relationship between CIMT and eAG disappeared when we adjusted for SBP, suggesting that the SBP and eAG relationship drives CIMT. In conclusion, the association between the early morning SBP (00:00–04:00) and the blood glucose in non–dipping African men suggests that the blunted decline in nocturnal blood pressure during the early morning hours is associated with chronically elevated blood glucose. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Physiology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Motivation: Recently, with urbanisation becoming an increasing trend, the African population have been introduced to the westernised lifestyle. This contributed to severe health implications and a rapid increase in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the African population. In South Africa and other sub–Saharan African countries, the prevalence of cardiovascular disease is increasing rapidly. The African population is thus regarded as a high risk group, and we deem it necessary and important to investigate additional possible cardiovascular risk markers in the attempt to improve the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases and the treatment thereof. We investigate double product as a possible cardiovascular risk marker in African and Caucasian men from South Africa. Recent studies have suggested that increased double product values might be an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, investigations on double product and endorgan damage are limited in this population group. The strength of associations between double product and various measurements of end–organ damage, including intima–media thickness, left ventricular hypertrophy and albumin–to–creatinine ratio, are compared with the associations between the more traditional risk factor, systolic blood pressure, and the measurements of end–organ damage. Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the usability of double product as a possible cardiovascular risk marker in African and Caucasian men from South Africa. Methodology: The manuscript presented in Chapter 3 made use of the cross–sectional SABPA (Sympathetic Activity and Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Africans) study, where 101 urbanised African and 101 Caucasian male school teachers from the North West Province of South Africa were recruited. Anthropometric measurements were taken in triplicate using standard methods. The cardiovascular measurements included 24–hour ambulatory blood pressure and electrocardiogram measurements. Double products were calculated as the product of 24–hour, daytime and night–time mean systolic blood pressure and mean heart rate values. The carotid intima–media thickness was also obtained following the prescribed protocols. A registered nurse collected blood samples and the biochemical measurements were performed by independent laboratories, blinded to the subject’s cardiovascular profile. Means and proportions were compared by standard t–tests and the x2 –tests, respectively. The association between markers of end–organ damage and double product were investigated using single, partial and multiple regression analyses. All p–values <= 0.05 were deemed significant. Results and conclusions: Results from this study showed that Africans displayed significantly higher systolic blood pressure values, heart rate values and subsequent double product values compared to the Caucasians. Despite these significant differences, double product only showed borderline significant correlations with the markers of end–organ damage in African men, while no correlations were evident in Caucasian men. In African men, systolic blood pressure displayed stronger and significant correlations with intimamedia thickness, left ventricular hypertrophy, and albumin–to–creatinine ratio than double product. These findings suggest that double product may not be a good marker of increased risk for end–organ damage and subsequent cardiovascular–related mortality. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Physiology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

This study describes and evaluates the possible stress experience of a child in his/her middle–childhood years during an social work interview in forensic practice. The possible use of a music intervention was investigated in order to alleviate the stress levels of a child while being interviewed. The function of a social worker in forensic practice is to gain information from the alledged victim about the alleged abuse during two to at the most three interviews. Various factors may influence this process. Children undergoing a forensic assessment are possibly experiencing residual stress as a result of the trauma he/she has experienced, his/her cognitive appraisal of the event, or the interview itself. Furthermore, the cognitive development of a child in the middle–childhood years also influences his/her statement. The research was aimed at determining: – the presence of stress in a child while being interviewed in forensic practice – whether the introduction of a music intervention during the interview in forensic practice can alleviate the stress levels of a child – whether a lower stress level in a child results in a more complete and applicable statement The experimental and the control group consisted of six participants each. They were obtained from the case load of the researcher. Participants were allocated to the experimental and control group alternatively in the order in which they were referred for assessment. The participants of the experimental group were exposed to Mozart’s serenade, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (Serenata no 13 in G major). The participants of the control group were not exposed to a music intervention. The data collection included: – Pulse and blood pressure measurement – A self–developed stress scale to evaluate the participants' bodily experience of stress – A self–developed rating scale to determine the participants' non–verbal stress–related behaviour – A self–developed rating scale to measure the qualitative aspect of the participants' statements The research results cannot be generalised due to the small test sample group. However, certain tendencies could be identified. According to the research results a child in his/her middle–childhood years does not experience excessive stress during interviews in forensic practice. This finding is based on the fact that the pulse and blood pressure measurements were within normal limits. However, the pulse rate of the experimental group was lower during the post–measurement. This could indicate that, to a certain extent, the experimental group's participants felt more relaxed. In addition, the presence of a music intervention had a positive effect on the behaviour of the experimental group's participants during the interviews, in that their behaviour was less disruptive. This may indicate that they felt more relaxed during the interview. The presence of a music intervention during interviews in forensic practice also appears to lead to a slightly better quality of statements. If a better quality statement can be obtained from the child it will result in better service to the courts and, indirectly, to the child. Further studies should follow up on these tendencies. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

This study describes and evaluates the possible stress experience of a child in his/her middle–childhood years during an social work interview in forensic practice. The possible use of a music intervention was investigated in order to alleviate the stress levels of a child while being interviewed. The function of a social worker in forensic practice is to gain information from the alledged victim about the alleged abuse during two to at the most three interviews. Various factors may influence this process. Children undergoing a forensic assessment are possibly experiencing residual stress as a result of the trauma he/she has experienced, his/her cognitive appraisal of the event, or the interview itself. Furthermore, the cognitive development of a child in the middle–childhood years also influences his/her statement. The research was aimed at determining: – the presence of stress in a child while being interviewed in forensic practice – whether the introduction of a music intervention during the interview in forensic practice can alleviate the stress levels of a child – whether a lower stress level in a child results in a more complete and applicable statement The experimental and the control group consisted of six participants each. They were obtained from the case load of the researcher. Participants were allocated to the experimental and control group alternatively in the order in which they were referred for assessment. The participants of the experimental group were exposed to Mozart’s serenade, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (Serenata no 13 in G major). The participants of the control group were not exposed to a music intervention. The data collection included: – Pulse and blood pressure measurement – A self–developed stress scale to evaluate the participants' bodily experience of stress – A self–developed rating scale to determine the participants' non–verbal stress–related behaviour – A self–developed rating scale to measure the qualitative aspect of the participants' statements The research results cannot be generalised due to the small test sample group. However, certain tendencies could be identified. According to the research results a child in his/her middle–childhood years does not experience excessive stress during interviews in forensic practice. This finding is based on the fact that the pulse and blood pressure measurements were within normal limits. However, the pulse rate of the experimental group was lower during the post–measurement. This could indicate that, to a certain extent, the experimental group's participants felt more relaxed. In addition, the presence of a music intervention had a positive effect on the behaviour of the experimental group's participants during the interviews, in that their behaviour was less disruptive. This may indicate that they felt more relaxed during the interview. The presence of a music intervention during interviews in forensic practice also appears to lead to a slightly better quality of statements. If a better quality statement can be obtained from the child it will result in better service to the courts and, indirectly, to the child. Further studies should follow up on these tendencies. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Several researchers have reported that the perceptual-motor skills of today’s children are not optimally developed. Furthermore, childhood obesity has increased worldwide and is a cause for concern due to the effect that it has on the present and future public health of children. Childhood obesity has a bearing on a rise in chronic paediatric diseases and an increase in hypertension, as well as on motor and physical deficits. In spite of the inadequate perceptual-motor development that is reported, few studies have been reported that examine the effect of school-based movement development programmes to improve the motor proficiency of school beginners. Firstly, in this thesis, an attempt was made to establish a general profile of the motor proficiency of Grade 1 learners in the North West Province of South Africa, and to determine possible gender and racial differences. Secondly, the relationship between the body composition and blood pressure of Grade 1 learners was examined. Thirdly, the relationship between the body composition and motor, physical and object control skills of these learners was examined. The fourth objective was to determine the effect of school-based movement development programmes on the perceptual-motor proficiency of Grade 1 learners. For objectives one to three, data were collected by means of a stratified randomised sample of 816 Grade 1 learners (419 boys, 397 girls) with a mean age of 6,78 years (+ 0,49) who participated in the NW-CHILD study. The short form of the “Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-2” (Bruininks & Bruininks, 2005), which consists of eight subcomponents, was used to determine the learners’ motor proficiency and the “Test of Gross Motor Development-2” was used to determine the learners’ object control skills. Stature, body mass, skinfolds (subscapular, triceps and calf) and waist circumference were measured according to standard kinantropometric protocols. International cut-off points for body mass index (BMI) were used to classify learners in normal, overweight or obese categories. Blood pressure was measured by means of an Omron 705CP-II. With regard to objective 1, it appeared from the results, which were analysed with descriptive statistics and ttesting, and by making use of the Statistica computer program, that Grade 1 learners exhibit below average (49,63%) to average (48,16%) motor proficiency. The poorest skills exhibited by the learners were in strength, fine motor integration and fine motor precision. The motor proficiency of the boys was mostly average (63,96%) as opposed to that of the girls, which was largely classified as below average (64,74%), although the girls’ manual dexterity and bilateral co-ordination was significantly better compared to the boys. The motor proficiency of most of the white children was average (69,27%), compared to 58,73% of the black children, whose motor proficiency was below average. White children performed significantly better in fine motor precision, fine motor integration, manual dexterity, bilateral co-ordination, upper limb co-ordination and strength skills, and black children in balancing and running speed and agility skills. Concerning objective 2, it appeared from the results, which were analysed with descriptive statistics, the Spearman correlation coefficients and one-way analysis of variance, that the overall incidence of prehypertension and hypertension was 8,5% and 24,9% respectively. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure exhibited a significant relationship with BMI, body fat percentage and waist circumference. Boys and girls exhibited the same incidence of hypertension. A higher percentage of the black children were hypertensive compared to the white children, although the difference in the blood pressure of the groups was not significant. A high percentage of children of normal weight also exhibited high levels of blood pressure. As far as objective 3 is concerned, it appeared from the results, which were analysed with descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation coefficients and one-way analysis of variance, that 1 out of every 10 learners (11,64%) was overweight (7,84%) or obese (3,80%). Fine motor precision, balance, running speed, agility and strength exhibited a significant relationship with body mass index (p<0.05), while no clear relationship was found between object control skills, upper limb co-ordination and body mass index. For objective 4, two schools were selected from the total sample in one urban area, which consisted of 75 learners (school 1=40 and school 2=35) who had a mean age of 6,66 years (+ 0,24) and who participated in two different perceptual-motor movement development programmes. The perceptual-motor movement development programme of School 1 was based on a process-oriented approach, as opposed to the programme of School 2, which was based on a product-oriented approach. Motor proficiency was measured by making use of the short form of the “Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-2”. The results, which were analysed with descriptive statistics, independent t-testing and a covariance of analysis, showed that both movement development programmes contributed to significant improvements in some of the motor proficiency subcomponents. However, the process-oriented movement programme contributed to a greater extent to improvement on an individual level, which was attributed to the improved underlying neurological processes of motor proficiency and bilateral integration that underwent improvement as a result, while the level of motor proficiency mastery of the product-oriented movement development programme remained unchanged. On the grounds of the above results it is advised that educators, such as the Physical Education teachers who work with Grade 1 learners, take note of the possible deficits with regard to motor proficiency, overweight and obesity, and implement suitable intervention programmes, taking into consideration the gender and racial specific differences that were found in this study. The measuring of blood pressure for basic screening purposes is important in the child population and interventions that include physical activity are advised to reduce the potential cardiovascular complications of obesity amongst children. It could also be recommended that school-based movement development programmes, which are presented by specialists, be implemented in order to improve the motor proficiency of Grade 1 learners and to also contribute to the improvement of the skills of learners with perceptual-motor and physical proficiency problems. / Thesis (PhD (Human Movement Sciences))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Several researchers have reported that the perceptual-motor skills of today’s children are not optimally developed. Furthermore, childhood obesity has increased worldwide and is a cause for concern due to the effect that it has on the present and future public health of children. Childhood obesity has a bearing on a rise in chronic paediatric diseases and an increase in hypertension, as well as on motor and physical deficits. In spite of the inadequate perceptual-motor development that is reported, few studies have been reported that examine the effect of school-based movement development programmes to improve the motor proficiency of school beginners. Firstly, in this thesis, an attempt was made to establish a general profile of the motor proficiency of Grade 1 learners in the North West Province of South Africa, and to determine possible gender and racial differences. Secondly, the relationship between the body composition and blood pressure of Grade 1 learners was examined. Thirdly, the relationship between the body composition and motor, physical and object control skills of these learners was examined. The fourth objective was to determine the effect of school-based movement development programmes on the perceptual-motor proficiency of Grade 1 learners. For objectives one to three, data were collected by means of a stratified randomised sample of 816 Grade 1 learners (419 boys, 397 girls) with a mean age of 6,78 years (+ 0,49) who participated in the NW-CHILD study. The short form of the “Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-2” (Bruininks & Bruininks, 2005), which consists of eight subcomponents, was used to determine the learners’ motor proficiency and the “Test of Gross Motor Development-2” was used to determine the learners’ object control skills. Stature, body mass, skinfolds (subscapular, triceps and calf) and waist circumference were measured according to standard kinantropometric protocols. International cut-off points for body mass index (BMI) were used to classify learners in normal, overweight or obese categories. Blood pressure was measured by means of an Omron 705CP-II. With regard to objective 1, it appeared from the results, which were analysed with descriptive statistics and ttesting, and by making use of the Statistica computer program, that Grade 1 learners exhibit below average (49,63%) to average (48,16%) motor proficiency. The poorest skills exhibited by the learners were in strength, fine motor integration and fine motor precision. The motor proficiency of the boys was mostly average (63,96%) as opposed to that of the girls, which was largely classified as below average (64,74%), although the girls’ manual dexterity and bilateral co-ordination was significantly better compared to the boys. The motor proficiency of most of the white children was average (69,27%), compared to 58,73% of the black children, whose motor proficiency was below average. White children performed significantly better in fine motor precision, fine motor integration, manual dexterity, bilateral co-ordination, upper limb co-ordination and strength skills, and black children in balancing and running speed and agility skills. Concerning objective 2, it appeared from the results, which were analysed with descriptive statistics, the Spearman correlation coefficients and one-way analysis of variance, that the overall incidence of prehypertension and hypertension was 8,5% and 24,9% respectively. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure exhibited a significant relationship with BMI, body fat percentage and waist circumference. Boys and girls exhibited the same incidence of hypertension. A higher percentage of the black children were hypertensive compared to the white children, although the difference in the blood pressure of the groups was not significant. A high percentage of children of normal weight also exhibited high levels of blood pressure. As far as objective 3 is concerned, it appeared from the results, which were analysed with descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation coefficients and one-way analysis of variance, that 1 out of every 10 learners (11,64%) was overweight (7,84%) or obese (3,80%). Fine motor precision, balance, running speed, agility and strength exhibited a significant relationship with body mass index (p<0.05), while no clear relationship was found between object control skills, upper limb co-ordination and body mass index. For objective 4, two schools were selected from the total sample in one urban area, which consisted of 75 learners (school 1=40 and school 2=35) who had a mean age of 6,66 years (+ 0,24) and who participated in two different perceptual-motor movement development programmes. The perceptual-motor movement development programme of School 1 was based on a process-oriented approach, as opposed to the programme of School 2, which was based on a product-oriented approach. Motor proficiency was measured by making use of the short form of the “Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-2”. The results, which were analysed with descriptive statistics, independent t-testing and a covariance of analysis, showed that both movement development programmes contributed to significant improvements in some of the motor proficiency subcomponents. However, the process-oriented movement programme contributed to a greater extent to improvement on an individual level, which was attributed to the improved underlying neurological processes of motor proficiency and bilateral integration that underwent improvement as a result, while the level of motor proficiency mastery of the product-oriented movement development programme remained unchanged. On the grounds of the above results it is advised that educators, such as the Physical Education teachers who work with Grade 1 learners, take note of the possible deficits with regard to motor proficiency, overweight and obesity, and implement suitable intervention programmes, taking into consideration the gender and racial specific differences that were found in this study. The measuring of blood pressure for basic screening purposes is important in the child population and interventions that include physical activity are advised to reduce the potential cardiovascular complications of obesity amongst children. It could also be recommended that school-based movement development programmes, which are presented by specialists, be implemented in order to improve the motor proficiency of Grade 1 learners and to also contribute to the improvement of the skills of learners with perceptual-motor and physical proficiency problems. / Thesis (PhD (Human Movement Sciences))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

In the latter part of the 20th century chronic diseases, especially cardio vascular-related diseases (CVDs) and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) seemed to have emerged as substantial problems. This can be seen in the prevalence and the cost of CVDs in South Africa and worldwide. It was predicted that by the year 2030 more people would be dying from CVDs than from Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/Aids). The reasons for the occurrence of CVDs are linked to biological (i.e. hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity, insulin resistance, etc), psychological (i.e. emotional stress), and behavioural or lifestyle risk factors. It is known that physical exercise can aid in the treatment of CVDs. Institutions such as the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommended an exercise frequency of three times per week for 20 minutes. According to literature, a third of patients in exercise studies do not comply with their exercise protocol, and after three to six months, 50 percent will drop out of organised training groups. Less than a third of South Africans complied with exercising 30 minutes a day on most days of the week. Thus, there has been much interest among health-care providers to manage exercise compliance. Exercise compliance is a complex construct, and thus in the present study the role that behavioural patterns play was also investigated via psychological behavioural models. The major objectives of the study were the following: <ul> <li> Firstly, to determine if exercise compliance or non-compliance had an influence on shifts measured in the clinical parameters (i.e. blood pressure, blood lipid levels, blood glucose levels, body mass index, body fat percentage and cardiac risk percentage) over time.</li> <li> Secondly, to determine whether there were any correlation between the psychological behavioural models and the exercise compliance of the members over the course of the Best Med/Access Health-Disease Management Programme (BM/AH-DM Programme).</li></ul> In the present study, a retrospective data analysis was done on data collected from Best Med Medical Aid members (n = 400) who participated in a chronic disease management programme for three and a half years. The inclusion criteria for participation on the programme were the presence of one or more of the following CVDs namely: hypercholesterolemia, hypertension and DM. The members’ clinical parameters (height, body weight, body fat percentage, blood pressure, finger-prick non-fasting (random) blood cholesterol level, finger-prick non-fasting (random) blood glucose, sub-maximal V02 fitness test) were measured every three months. After a baseline assessment was done, an exercise programme was given to each member and a norm of exercising twice a week was prescribed. If members adhered to the norm they were considered compliant and if they did not adhere to the norm, they were considered as being non-compliant. Their exercise compliance, and relevant clinical parameters were measured over 30 months, although data analysis was only a reflection of the first 12 months’ data. At the beginning of the BM/AH-DM Programme the members’ Level of Readiness (LOR) to make a lifestyle change was measured via a questionnaire and by the end of the programme they completed an Implicit Theory Scale (ITS) questionnaire. Descriptive statistics (means, standard deviation) were used to determine the entire groups’ compliance, and to divide the group into compliant and noncompliant groups. The T-test or the Mann-Whitney Test (an equivalent nonparametric technique) was applied to determine significant differences between groups. Thus did the clinical parameters measured over time (baseline to 3 months, baseline to 6 months and baseline to 12 months), change more in the compliant than in the non-compliant group? And were there correlations between psychological questionnaires answers and the two exercise groups? The results indicated that the group’s exercise compliance trend decreased drastically over time. Statistical significant decreases were demonstrated in systolic (p = 0.007) and diastolic (p = 0.012) blood pressure, BMI (p = 0.072 and p = 0.0003), cardiac risk percentage (p = 0.003), and body weight (p = 0.003 and p = 0.0000). All of these decreases were seen in the exercise compliant group. There were no statistical correlations between the psychological questionnaires and the exercise groups. Limitations were the quality of the clinical data, the exercise compliance data that deteriorated over time, and the LOR and ITS questionnaires was neither valid nor reliable tools in making predictions regarding exercise behaviour/compliance. For future research it is recommended that measurements of blood pressure and cholesterol be done more thoroughly, and dietary fat intake must be monitored. A valid and reliable cardiac risk tool, LOR and ITS questionnaires must be designed. AFRIKAANS : Die voorkoms en kosteïmplikasies van kroniese siektetoestande in Suid–Afrika en wêreldwyd, het in die laaste gedeelte van die 20ste eeu ‘n wesenlike probleem geword. Kardiovaskulêre (KVS) siektes en tipe 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is veral voorbeelde van sulke siektetoestande. Daar is voorspel dat in die jaar 2030, meer mense wêreldwyd aan KVS sal doodgaan, as aan Menslike Immuniteitsgebrekvirus/Verworwe Immuniteitsgebreksindroom (MIV/Vigs). Die risikofaktore wat met die oorsake van KVS geassosieer word, is die volgende: <ul> <li> Biologiese (met inbegrip van hipertensie, insulienweerstandigheid, hoë bloedcholesteroltellings, ens)</li> <li> Sielkundige (bv emosionele spanning) • Risikofaktore wat verband hou met lewenstyl.</li></ul> Literatuur bevestig dat fisiese oefening help om KVS en diabetes mellitus te behandel. Die American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) het ‘n oefenriglyn van drie maal per week vir 20 minute lank as ‘n minimumfrekwensie daargestel. Volgens literatuur oefen ‘n derde van pasiënte wat deelneem aan oefeningnavorsingsstudies nie volgens die riglyne wat gestel word nie en binne die eerste drie tot ses maande sal 50% van die pasiënte ophou oefen. Navorsing wat op die Suid-Afrikaanse bevolking gedoen is, toon dat minder as ‘n derde 30 minute lank op meeste dae van die week oefen. Dus is die belangstelling van gesondheidsterapeute rakende die bestuur van gereelde oefeningdeelname geprikkel. Gereelde oefeningdeelname sluit ook die rol van gedragspatrone in en dus is sielkundige gedragsmodelle gebruik om dit ook in die huidige studie te ondersoek. Copyright / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2009 / Biokinetics, Sport and Leisure Sciences / unrestricted