Aim and research questions To investigate technical performance in three different tennis competitions (ATP Masters AM, Falu Future, FF & Swedish youth national championships, YNC) by collecting data of point characteristics. Are there any differences or similarities between the competitions analyzed concerning type of shots or shot combinations used, from which hitting zone on the tennis court the shots or shot combinations are hit and the placement of the different shots when scoring points? Are there any differences or similarities between the competitions analyzed concerning number of valid shots over the net in a rally? Are there any differences or similarities between the competitions analyzed concerning number of errors (forced and unforced) and winning shots committed in matches?  Method The sample consisted of a total of 24 matches with 40 different players from three different tournaments which were analyzed using notational analysis software (Dartfish, version 8, Switzerland). Total number of points analyzed were 3154 (AM, n = 968, FF, n = 1068, YNC, n = 1118). Data were compiled in Excel (2013) and descriptive analyses were performed in IBM SPSS Statistics 24. Statistical analyses looking for overall significant differences between the groups were made using Chi square cross tab test. Due to the number of statistical tests that were performed for each domain in the post hoc test, an adjusted significance level of p < 0.001 was used to reduce the risk of Type 1 error. Results Significant differences were observed between groups for serve placement, shot used after hitting a serve, type of 2nd last and last shot used, hitting zone and placement by the point winner on last shots. Rallies of longer duration were significantly more frequent in the AM & FF groups compared to the YNC group. Concerning serve outcome, serve return, return placement, shot after serve placement, shot combinations, length on 2nd last and last shot, unforced, forced errors and winners no statistical differences were observed between groups. Conclusion This study indicates that higher demands are placed on placement accuracy in the ATP masters and Falu Future tournaments, specifically for the serve, but also for groundstrokes compared to the Swedish youth national championships tournament. This knowledge can be used to identify technical skills and physiological abilities that are important to practise in order to improve performance in tennis on different levels.

This study examines the determining factor of nurses' occupational stress in public hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Despite the increasing number of occupational stress studies in the healthcare industry, occupational stress studies are still at an early stage of development in Saudi Arabia, and further research is recommended. The objectives of this research are: (1) to identify the occupational stress levels among nurses in public-sector hospitals in Saudi Arabia; (2) to examine the influence of job demands on the anxiety and turnover intention of nurses working in public-sector hospitals in Saudi Arabia; (3) to investigate the influence of job resources on the turnover intention and happiness of nurses working in public-sector hospitals in Saudi Arabia; (4) to determine the mediating effects of emotional exhaustion on the relationship between job demands and anxiety and turnover intention on nurses working in public-sector hospitals in Saudi Arabia; and (5) to ascertain the mediating effects of work engagement on the relationship between job resources and the turnover intention and happiness of nurses working in public-sector hospitals in Saudi Arabia. The study was conducted as a two-stage empirical study employing sequential exploratory mixed-methods approach starting with interviews with 15 nurses, analysing the data then revising the questionnaire and distributing to a sample of nurses at five hospitals. The study used thematic analysis to analyse the qualitative data and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and AMOS to analyse the 512 questionnaires. The conceptual model was validated through Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), which includes two kinds of models: the measurement model or confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and the structural model which is conducted to approve the hypotheses and the performance of the suggested conceptual framework. The study findings indicated that the level of nurses' stress is very high and has negative outcomes if the job demands (stressors) exceed the nurses' abilities. Emotional demands, work-family conflict and workload are the main job demands identified. Procedural fairness and perceived organizational support are identified as the main job resources. This study also examines the mediation role of emotional exhaustion and work engagement. More specifically, its shows that emotional exhaustion mediates the relationship between emotional demands, work-family conflict, workload and anxiety, whereas emotional exhaustion only mediates the relation between work-family conflict and turnover intention. Conversely, work engagement mediates the relation between procedural fairness and turnover intention and happiness. Contributions of the study, research and practical implications, and future research directions are also discussed.

<p>The aims of this study was to examine the perceived transition demands, resources, barriers, coping strategies, and consequences for two cases of transition, one successful and one unsuccessful transition – from junior to senior level in swimming. A qualitative study was executed on two swimmers from southern of Sweden. The instrument was a semi structured interview guide with the Sport Transition Career model as framework. The results showed that the athlete copes better with a balance between resources and demands exist and has a successful transition from junior to senior level. An unsuccessful transition were more likely to occur when the athlete had poor resources (internal and external), and the intervention with a therapist became ineffective. A further study is needed to find out if there are differences between the resources and the demands and the coping skills between female and male athletes.</p>

The aims of this study was to examine the perceived transition demands, resources, barriers, coping strategies, and consequences for two cases of transition, one successful and one unsuccessful transition – from junior to senior level in swimming. A qualitative study was executed on two swimmers from southern of Sweden. The instrument was a semi structured interview guide with the Sport Transition Career model as framework. The results showed that the athlete copes better with a balance between resources and demands exist and has a successful transition from junior to senior level. An unsuccessful transition were more likely to occur when the athlete had poor resources (internal and external), and the intervention with a therapist became ineffective. A further study is needed to find out if there are differences between the resources and the demands and the coping skills between female and male athletes.

The ability to measure the physiological demands and air requirements during simulated firefighting tasks while wearing full personal protective ensemble (PPE) and positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) has been a difficult process based on undeveloped technology. The capability of integrating a portable Cosmed K4b2 breath by breath gas collection system with a standard SCBA has permitted a novel approach to investigate metabolic demands and ventilatory requirements while breathing through the same system that would be used in an actual fire scene. The purpose of this study was to determine the physiological demands and air requirements during three large structure firefighting scenarios: (1) maximal high rise stair climb, (2) 5th floor high rise scenario, and (3) subway system scenario. The hypotheses were that (a) the 5th floor high rise scenario would be the most physically demanding and that (b) the years of service as a firefighter would result in decreased total air consumption during the three scenarios. Thirty-three male and three female healthy firefighters performed each of the three tasks at an equivalent pace similar to what would be expected at a fire scene. Scenario (1) consisted of stair climbing until consuming 55% of a typical SCBA air cylinder and then descending to a safe exit. Scenario (2) comprised a 5 floor stair climb, hose drag and room search, forcible entry, victim rescue drag, and 5 floor descent. Scenario (3) involved a stair descent, tunnel walk, portable ladder walk, ladder setup, victim rescue drag, tunnel walk, and stair ascent. Average maximum floors climbed for scenario (1) and mean completion times for scenarios (2) and (3) were 20 ± 2.5 floors, 5 min 3 s ± 57 s, and 12 min 5 s ± 1 min 10 s, respectively. Mean VO2 during each of the scenarios were 3168 ± 878 ml/min, 2947 ± 461 ml/min, 2217 ± 371 ml/min, corresponding to a relative VO2 of 35.5 ± 9.1 ml/kg/min, 33.1 ± 4.6 ml/kg/min, and 25.2 ± 4.6 ml/kg/min. In relation to the peak treadmill oxygen uptake, the three scenarios revealed that firefighters were working at 70 ± 10%, 65 ± 10%, and 49 ± 8% of VO2peak, respectively. Average heart rate values for the three scenarios were 170 ± 13 bpm, 160 ± 14 bpm, and 139 ± 17 bpm, corresponding to 88 ± 4%, 88 ± 6%, and 76 ± 7% of HRpeak, respectively. These results indicate that the most physiologically demanding scenario was the maximal stair climb, followed by the 5th floor high rise and subway system scenarios. Respiratory exchange ratio was consistently greater than 1.0 during the maximal stair climb and 5th floor high rise scenarios indicating that a considerable amount of energy was derived from anaerobic metabolism. With regards to the air requirements for each of the scenarios, total air consumption revealed averaged values of 74.9 ± 6%, 48.0 ± 7.0%, and 59.9 ±5.6%, of the air in a typical 30-min cylinder, respectively. These data also revealed that increasing age of the firefighter as well as increasing years of experience as a firefighter result in significant correlations with greater air consumption to complete the given task (p < 0.05). Contrary to the hypotheses, the maximal stair climb scenario appeared to be the most physically demanding while increased years of service as a firefighter resulted in greater air consumption. Furthermore, it appears that firefighters who are able to produce more power per kg of body mass have greater performance times and more efficient air consumption. These data are instrumental in quantifying the physiological demands and air requirements during simulated firefighting tasks while breathing on a positive pressure SCBA.

The ability to measure the physiological demands and air requirements during simulated firefighting tasks while wearing full personal protective ensemble (PPE) and positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) has been a difficult process based on undeveloped technology. The capability of integrating a portable Cosmed K4b2 breath by breath gas collection system with a standard SCBA has permitted a novel approach to investigate metabolic demands and ventilatory requirements while breathing through the same system that would be used in an actual fire scene. The purpose of this study was to determine the physiological demands and air requirements during three large structure firefighting scenarios: (1) maximal high rise stair climb, (2) 5th floor high rise scenario, and (3) subway system scenario. The hypotheses were that (a) the 5th floor high rise scenario would be the most physically demanding and that (b) the years of service as a firefighter would result in decreased total air consumption during the three scenarios. Thirty-three male and three female healthy firefighters performed each of the three tasks at an equivalent pace similar to what would be expected at a fire scene. Scenario (1) consisted of stair climbing until consuming 55% of a typical SCBA air cylinder and then descending to a safe exit. Scenario (2) comprised a 5 floor stair climb, hose drag and room search, forcible entry, victim rescue drag, and 5 floor descent. Scenario (3) involved a stair descent, tunnel walk, portable ladder walk, ladder setup, victim rescue drag, tunnel walk, and stair ascent. Average maximum floors climbed for scenario (1) and mean completion times for scenarios (2) and (3) were 20 ± 2.5 floors, 5 min 3 s ± 57 s, and 12 min 5 s ± 1 min 10 s, respectively. Mean VO2 during each of the scenarios were 3168 ± 878 ml/min, 2947 ± 461 ml/min, 2217 ± 371 ml/min, corresponding to a relative VO2 of 35.5 ± 9.1 ml/kg/min, 33.1 ± 4.6 ml/kg/min, and 25.2 ± 4.6 ml/kg/min. In relation to the peak treadmill oxygen uptake, the three scenarios revealed that firefighters were working at 70 ± 10%, 65 ± 10%, and 49 ± 8% of VO2peak, respectively. Average heart rate values for the three scenarios were 170 ± 13 bpm, 160 ± 14 bpm, and 139 ± 17 bpm, corresponding to 88 ± 4%, 88 ± 6%, and 76 ± 7% of HRpeak, respectively. These results indicate that the most physiologically demanding scenario was the maximal stair climb, followed by the 5th floor high rise and subway system scenarios. Respiratory exchange ratio was consistently greater than 1.0 during the maximal stair climb and 5th floor high rise scenarios indicating that a considerable amount of energy was derived from anaerobic metabolism. With regards to the air requirements for each of the scenarios, total air consumption revealed averaged values of 74.9 ± 6%, 48.0 ± 7.0%, and 59.9 ±5.6%, of the air in a typical 30-min cylinder, respectively. These data also revealed that increasing age of the firefighter as well as increasing years of experience as a firefighter result in significant correlations with greater air consumption to complete the given task (p < 0.05). Contrary to the hypotheses, the maximal stair climb scenario appeared to be the most physically demanding while increased years of service as a firefighter resulted in greater air consumption. Furthermore, it appears that firefighters who are able to produce more power per kg of body mass have greater performance times and more efficient air consumption. These data are instrumental in quantifying the physiological demands and air requirements during simulated firefighting tasks while breathing on a positive pressure SCBA.

Employees in South African organisations are faced with increasing work pressures as economic and business factors (such as globalisation) lead to extensive restructuring, cost cutting and initiatives to continuously improve organisational processes. These conditions are conducive to the occurrence of burnout in the South African private sector. Burnout has been extensively researched in areas such as health services and law enforcement, however, the subject has received less focus in the private sector. Given the negative impact of burnout on employees and organisations, it becomes valuable to study burnout in this context. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between job demands, job resources, cognition and burnout. A cross-sectional survey design was used. Stratified random samples (N = 80) were taken from employees at a South African metals manufacturing company. The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Cognitive Flexibility Scale (CFS) and Job Demands-Resources Scale (JDRS) were administered. The reliability of the measuring instruments was assessed with the use of Cronbach alpha coefficients. Descriptive statistics (e.g., means and standard deviations) were used to analyse the data. Pearson correlations and multiple regression analyses were used to assess the relationships between job demands, job resources, burnout and cognition. The correlation coefficients indicated that cynicism is negatively related to growth opportunities and organisational support. Professional efficacy was positively related to organisational support, growth opportunities, advancement and cognitive flexibility. Multiple regression analysis showed that job demands, job resources, and cognitive flexibility predicted 18% of the variance in the exhaustion of employees. Job demands, job resources, and cognitive flexibility predicted 28% of cynicism and 44% of the variance in professional efficacy. Recommendations for future research were made. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

Employees in South African organisations are faced with increasing work pressures as economic and business factors (such as globalisation) lead to extensive restructuring, cost cutting and initiatives to continuously improve organisational processes. These conditions are conducive to the occurrence of burnout in the South African private sector. Burnout has been extensively researched in areas such as health services and law enforcement, however, the subject has received less focus in the private sector. Given the negative impact of burnout on employees and organisations, it becomes valuable to study burnout in this context. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between job demands, job resources, cognition and burnout. A cross-sectional survey design was used. Stratified random samples (N = 80) were taken from employees at a South African metals manufacturing company. The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Cognitive Flexibility Scale (CFS) and Job Demands-Resources Scale (JDRS) were administered. The reliability of the measuring instruments was assessed with the use of Cronbach alpha coefficients. Descriptive statistics (e.g., means and standard deviations) were used to analyse the data. Pearson correlations and multiple regression analyses were used to assess the relationships between job demands, job resources, burnout and cognition. The correlation coefficients indicated that cynicism is negatively related to growth opportunities and organisational support. Professional efficacy was positively related to organisational support, growth opportunities, advancement and cognitive flexibility. Multiple regression analysis showed that job demands, job resources, and cognitive flexibility predicted 18% of the variance in the exhaustion of employees. Job demands, job resources, and cognitive flexibility predicted 28% of cynicism and 44% of the variance in professional efficacy. Recommendations for future research were made. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

Although different occupations/organisations have unique work characteristics, it seems possible to divide them into two categories, namely job demands and job resources. A valid, equivalent and reliable instrument is needed to measure job demands and resources and to compare them among different occupations/organisations. The aim of this study was to investigate the construct equivalence, validity and reliability of a measuring instrument of job demands and resources and to assess the differences between the job demands and job resources in various occupations/organisations in South Africa. A cross-sectional survey design was used. A stratified random sample (N = 2717) was taken from a population consisting of employees in various occupations and organisations. The occupations/organisations included academics (higher education institutions), staff at a university of technology, correctional officers. insurance staff and engineers. The Job Demands-Resources Scale (JDRS) was used to assess job demands and job resources in the different occupations/organisations. Descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, reliability analysis and multivariate analysis of variance were used to analyse the data. Five reliable factors were extracted using principal component analysis, namely: overload, growth opportunities, organisational support, advancement and job insecurity. The results showed that the structure of job demands and job resources in the different occupations/organisations were equivalent. with the exception of one factor, namely organisational support. Engineers showed higher scores on overload and growth opportunities than Occupations/organisations. Academics in higher education institutions also experienced more growth opportunities than other groups. Engineers, academics in higher education institutions and employees in the insurance industry reported higher levels of organisational support than correctional officers and employees at a university of technology. Engineers obtained the highest score on advancement, while academics in higher education institutions obtained the lowest scores. Job insecurity was the highest for correctional officers and employees of a university of technology, and the lowest for engineers. Recommendations for future research were made. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

Organisations in the chemical industry face many demands. They have to distinguish themselves from their competitors in the market through technological advancement, market changes and the constant drive to be the best. Other demands include political pressures, e.g. employment equity and diversity management. Furthermore they have to attempt to reduce costs as well as to increase productivity. These pressures may have either a negative or positive effect on employees which could in turn impact on their energy and motivation. Higher job demands and a lack of job resources could result in high levels of exhaustion, demotivation, dissatisfaction and disengagement. Job demands refer to those physical, psychological or organisational aspects of the job that require specific effort and are associated with physiological and psychological costs. Job resources refer to the aspects of the job that may be functional in meeting task requirements and may reduce the physiological and psychological costs; they may also stimulate growth as well as the development of an individual. The objective of this study was to test a structural model of work-related well-being showing the relationships amongst the variables of job demands, job resources, exhaustion, mental distance, vitality, work devotion, health and organisational commitment. A cross-sectional survey design was used. The participants (JV=265) included employees working for a business within the chemical industry. The South-African Employee Health and Wellness Survey (SAEHWS) was used to gather data on the work-related well-being of employees. Descriptive statistics, Cronbach's alpha coefficients, correlation coefficients and structural equation modelling were used to analyse the data. The results indicated that high job demands and insufficient job resources resulted in high levels of burnout (exhaustion and mental distance), which led to physical and psychological ill health. Adequate job resources on the other hand resulted in work-related well-being (low burnout and high work engagement), which in turn resulted in organisational commitment. Growth opportunities within the job and organisational support played an important role in the well-being of the employees. Recommendations for future research were made. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.