Thesis (MScPhysio)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Chronic groin pain is widespread across many sporting disciplines. The aim of our research was to determine if there are kinematic differences of the thoracic spine in active sports people with chronic groin pain, compared with healthy controls. A cross-sectional descriptive design was followed. Participants were required to complete six single leg drop landings with each leg from a 20cm height. The study was done in the 3D Movement Analysis Laboratory at the University of Stellenbosch. Ten male participants with unilateral or bilateral chronic groin pain of more than 3 months duration and 10 asymptomatic males, matched for age and sports participation, were recruited. The main outcome measures were: thoracic spine angle at initial foot contact, maximum thoracic spine angle, range of movement (ROM) (difference between the minimum and maximum values) and thoracic spine angle at lowest vertical point of the pelvis. This was assessed in all 3 movement planes: the sagittal plane (X plane), the coronal plane (Y plane) and the transverse plane (Z plane). The results of our study showed that for the unilaterally affected groin pain group, the cases landed in significantly more thoracic flexion (P<0.001 with large effect size) and were in significantly more thoracic flexion still at the lowest point. Peak thoracic flexion was significantly more in the cases than the controls. (P<0.001 with medium effect size) The same was true for the bilaterally affected group when landing on the most painful side, although this was not statistically significant. There were no significant differences in the frontal or transverse planes. In the bilaterally painful group, axial rotation ROM was significantly reduced when landing on either leg (worst affected side: P=0.040 with medium effect size and least affected side: p=0.006 with large effect size). The same occurred in the unilaterally affected group, although this was not statistically significant. Our study suggests that, in participants with chronic groin pain, there is greater thoracic forward flexion away from neutral during landing and that total axial rotation ROM during landing is diminished. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Kroniese liespyn kom dikwels en in verskeie sportsoorte voor. Die doel van ons studie was om te bepaal of daar kinematiese verskille van die torakale werwelkolom is in aktiewe sportmense met chroniese liespyn, in vergelyking met gesonde kontroles. ‘n Dwars-deursnit beskrywende studiemetode is gevolg, en uitgevoer in die 3D Beweging Analise Laboratorium, Universiteit van Stellenbosch. Deelnemers moes ses landings op een been doen, met elke been, vanaf 'n 20cm hoogte. Tien mans met eensydige of bilaterale chroniese liespyn vir langer as 3 maande, en 10 asimptomatiese mans (ooreenstemmende ouderdom en sport deelname) het deelgeneem. Die hoof uitkomste wat gemeet is, was torakale werwelkolom krommingshoek by aanvanklike voet-kontak, maksimum torakale werwelkolom krommingshoek, omvang van beweging (OVB) (verskil tussen die minimum en maksimum waardes) en torakale werwelkolom krommingshoek by die laagste punt van die bekken. Dit is beoordeel in al 3 beweging vlakke: die sagittale (X) vlak, die koronale/frontale (Y) vlak en die transversale (Z) vlak. Die resultate van die studie het getoon dat, in die eensydig-geaffekteerde liespyn groep, die deelnemers in beduidend meer torakale fleksie geland het(P < 0.001, met 'n groot effekgrootte), asook met aansienlik meer torakale fleksie by die laagste punt na landing. Piek torakale fleksie was aansienlik meer in die liespyn-gevalle as in die kontroles. (P < 0.001, met middelmatige effekgrootte ) Dieselfde het vir die bilateraalgeaffekteerde groep gegeld wanneer hulle op hul mees pynlike kant geland het, hoewel dit nie statisties beduidend was nie. Daar was geen betekenisvolle verskille in die frontale of transversale vlakke van beweging nie. In die bilateraal pynlike groep, was aksiale rotasie OVB aansienlik verminder wanneer die gevalle op hul pynlikste been óf op hul minder pynlike been geland het ( mees pynlike been : P = 0,040, met 'n middelmatige effekgrootte en minder pynlike been : p = 0,006, met 'n groot effekgrootte ). Dieselfde het in die eensydig-geaffekteerde groep gebeur, hoewel dit nie statisties beduidend was nie. Ons studie dui daarop dat, in deelnemers met chroniese liespyn, daar meer torokale fleksie weg van neutraal tydens landing is en dat die totale aksiale rotasie OVB tydens die landing verminder is, in vergelyking met die kontrolegroep.

Thesis (MScPhysio)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Aims: This study aims to ascertain if there are differences in ankle kinematics and ground reaction force in sports participants with chronic groin pain compared to healthy controls. Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study design was used. Twenty participants - 10 cases with chronic groin pain and 10 healthy controls participated. The 10 cases included participants with unilateral pain (n=7) and bilateral pain (n=3). For analysis, the bilateral pain group was divided into the most and less painful side. The study was conducted at the FNB 3D Motion Analysis Laboratory, Stellenbosch University. Sagittal plane kinematics and VGRF was analysed during a single leg drop landing. Results: The group with unilateral groin pain had a higher peak force compared to the matched side of the controls. The bilateral pain groups had less plantarflexion at foot contact (most affected p=<0.001; least affected p=<0.001) and total range of motion (p=<0.05) compared to the control group. The bilaterally injured groin pain groups demonstrated less peak force when compared to controls. Conclusion: This is the first study to indicate alterations in ankle kinematics and VGRF and that these changes are more apparent in sports participants with bilateral pain. Less range of motion during the landing task illustrated by the bilateral pain group suggests less effective force absorption of the distal segments. In the bilateral groups it suggests that force attenuation may have occurred high up the kinetic chain which may place more strain on the groin. Clinically rehabilitation of the athlete with chronic groin pain should include the distal segments of the lower limb. Further research should be conducted in larger groups. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Doelstellings: Hierdie studie poog om vas te stel of daar verskille in enkelbeweging en grondvloer-reaksiekrag is in deelnemers van sport met chroniese liespyn in vergelyking met gesonde kontrole deelnemers. Metode: ‘n Deursnee beskrywende studieontwerp is gebruik. Twintig deelnemers, 10 gevalle met chroniese liespyn en 10 gesonde kontrole het deelgeneem. Die 10 gevalle het ingesluit deelnemers met eensydige pyn (n=7) en bilaterale pyn (n=3). Vir die analise, is die bilaterale pyngroep verdeel in die mees en mins geaffekteerde kant. Die studie is gedoen by die FNB3D Beweginsanalise-laboratorium, Universiteit van Stellenbosch. Sagitaal-platvlak kinematiek en vertikale reaksiekrag is geanaliseer gedurende ‘n enkele beenlanding. Resultate: Die groep met eensydige liespyn het ‘n hoër piekkrag gehad in vergelyking met dieselfde kant van die kontrolegroep. Die bilaterale pyngroep het minder plantaarfleksie met voetkontak getoon (mees geaffekteer p=<0.001; minste geaffekteer p=<0.001) en totale beweginsomvang (p=<0.05) in vergelyking met die kontrolegroep. Die bilateraal-liesbeseringsgroep het minder piekkrag getoon in vergelyking met die kontrolegroep. Gevolgtrekking: Hierdie is die eerste studie om veranderings in enkelbeweging en grondreaksiekrag aan te toon, asook dat hierdie veranderinge meer opvallend is in persone wat aan sport deelneem wat bilaterale pyn ondervind. Verminderde beweginsomvang gedurende die landingstaak deur die bilaterale pyngroep suggereer minder effektiewe kragabsorpsie van die distale segmente. In die bilaterale groep suggereer dit dat kragvermindering waarskynlik hoog op die kinematiese ketting voorgekom het wat weer meer stremming op die lies plaas. Kliniese rehabilitasie van die atleet met chroniese pyn behoort die distale segmente van die onderste ledemaat in te sluit. Verdere navorsing behoort in groter groepe uitgevoer te word.

Thesis (MScPhysio)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction: Chronic groin injuries are common among athletes and have the potential to lead to chronic and career-ending pain. There is no evidence available whether pelvic kinematics can be perceived as a risk factor in developing chronic groin pain in sport or be the cause of further injuries of the lower quadrant or lumbar spine. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if there are any differences in pelvic kinematics of active sports participants with chronic groin pain compared to healthy controls during a single-leg drop-landing. Methodology: A descriptive study was conducted. The three-dimensional (3D) pelvic kinematics of ten cases with chronic groin pain and ten asymptomatic controls was analyzed. Pelvic kinematics was analyzed at the FNB 3D Vicon Laboratory at Stellenbosch University using an eight camera Vicon system. A physical examination, including functional movements, posture analysis, hip, knee and ankle passive range of motion measurements, sacro-iliac tests and anthropometric measurements was done by two physiotherapists prior to the 3D analysis. To analyze the pelvic kinematics, each participant performed six single-leg drop-landings. The main outcome measure was 3D pelvic kinematics at initial foot contact (IFC) and foot contact at lowest vertical position (LVP). The following sub-groups were analyzed: seven with unilateral groin pain and three with bilateral groin pain; the latter was further divided into those with the most painful leg and the least painful leg. Mean and standard deviations (SD) for pelvic kinematics were calculated and significant differences between sub-groups were determined using two-tailed Student’s t-tests. The Cohen’s D effect size calculator was used to calculate the effect size of significant differences in pelvic kinematics between case and control groups. Results: The findings indicated a significant difference (p=0.03) in frontal plane pelvic kinematics at IFC for the unilateral group. The most painful groin group showed significant differences at IFC (p=0.004) and at LVP (p=0.04) in the frontal plane pelvic kinematics. The least painful groin group showed a significant difference at LVP (p=0.01). All cases landed with pelvic downward lateral tilt during the landing phase compared to matched controls. The groin pain group with bilateral pain showed significant differences at IFC (p < 0.001) and LVP (p=0.005) for the most painful groin; and the least painful groin at IFC (p=0.01) and LVP (p=0.01) in the sagittal plane pelvic kinematics. The bilateral groin pain group showed an increase of anterior pelvic tilt in the sagittal plane during the landing phase when compared to matched controls. Increased internal pelvic rotation in the transverse plane was significant for the unilateral group at IFC (p=0.04) and for the most painful groin group at IFC (p < 0.001) and LVP (p < 0.001) compared to matched controls. Conclusion: Results from this study shows that pelvic kinematic changes in the frontal, sagittal and transverse planes do occur in patients with chronic groin pain when compared to controls. This may imply that muscle weakness around the hip and pelvis may contribute to the development of chronic groin pain in active sports participants. Rehabilitation of these muscles should be taken into consideration when treating patients with chronic groin injuries. Further research should be focused on muscular recruitment patterns in sports participants with groin pain to critically define the muscular causal factors in more depth. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Inleiding: Kroniese lies beserings is ‘n algemene verskynsel onder die aktiewe sport populasie. Dit mag tot kroniese pyn lei en het die potensiaal om ‘n sport loopbaan te be-eindig. Tans, is daar geen verdere navorsing beskikbaar oor die invloed van bekken kinematika op onderste ledemaat beserings asook die moontlike oorsaak tot kroniese lies pyn in atlete nie. Oogmerk: Die doel van hierdie studie was om vas te stel watter verskille in die bekken kinematika ontstaan tussen aktiewe sport deelnemers met kroniese lies pyn teenoor aktiewe sport deelnemers sonder enige pyn of beserings tydens ‘n enkel been aftrap beweging. Metodologie: Tien deelnemers met kroniese lies pyn en tien asimptomatiese deelnemers is gebruik om die verskille tussen die 3D bekken kinematika te bepaal. Die FNB 3D Vicon Lab by die Stellenbosch Universiteit is gebruik vir die data analise en insameling. Deelnemers het ‘n fisiese ondersoek ondergaan wat die voglende ingesluit het: funksionele bewegings, postuur analise, omvang van beweging van die heup, knie en enkel, toetse ter uitsluiting van die ilio-sakrale gewrig asook antropometriese aftmetings. Elke deelnemer is versoek om ses enkel-been aftrap sessies te doen. Die hoof uitkomsmeting was die bekken hoeke in the frontale vlak by inisiële voet kontak (IVK) asook die voet kontak teen die laagste vertikale posisie (LVP). Resultate: Die resultate wys ’n beduidende verskil (p=0.03) in die frontale vlak vir bekken kinematika by IVK vir die unilaterale groep. Die mees geaffekteerde been wys ’n beduidende verskil by IVK (p=0.004) en by LVK (p=0.04) in die frontale vlak vir bekken kinematika. Die groep met die minste geaffekteerde been toon ’n beduidende verskil by LVP (p=0.01). Alle simptomatiese deelnemers het met die bekken in afwaartse bekken kanteling geland tydens die landings fase. Die groep met bilaterale pyn toon ’n beduidende verskil by IVK (p < 0.001) en by LVP (p=0.005) vir die mees geaffekteerde been en vir die minste geaffekteerde been by IVK (p=0.01) en LVP (0.01) in die sagittale vlak vir bekken kinematika. Die bilaterale groep met kroniese lies pyn land met meer anterior bekken kanteling in die sagittale vlak gedurende die landings fase teenoor die asimptomatiese groep. Interne bekken rotasie was beduidend meer vir die unilaterale groep by IVK (p=0.04) en vir die mees geaffekteerde been by IVK (p < 0.001) en LVP (p < 0.001) teenoor asimptomatiese deelnemers. Gevolgtrekking: Die resultate van hierdie studie bewys dat daar wel ‘n verskil is in die bekken kinematika van deelnemers met kroniese lies pyn teenoor asimptomatiese deelnemers. Hierdie verskille is waarneembaar in die frontale, sagittale en transverse vlakke. Dit impliseer dat spier swakheid van die bekken en heup spiere ‘n bydrae mag he tot die ontwikkeling van kroniese lies beserings in atlete. Rehabilitasie van bogenoemde spiere is belangrik in die behandeling van kroniese lies beserings. Verdere navorsing oor spier aktiverings patrone in aktiewe, sports deelnemers met kroniese lies pyn word benodig, om die oorsprongs faktore te ondersoek.

Thesis (MScPhysio)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This review aims to present the available evidence for the effect of McConnell taping on knee biomechanics in individuals with Anterior Knee Pain (AKP). Pubmed, Medline, Cinahl, Sportdiscus, Pedro and Science Direct electronic databases were searched from inception until September 2014. Experimental research into knee biomechanical or EMG outcomes of McConnell taping compared to no tape or placebo tape were included. Two reviewers completed the searches, selected the full text articles and assessed the risk of bias of eligible studies. Authors were contacted for missing data. Eight heterogeneous studies with a total sample of 220 were included in this review. All of the studies had a moderate to low risk of bias and compared taping to no tape and/ or placebo tape. Pooling of data was possible for three outcomes; average knee extensor moment, average VMO/VL ratio and average VMO-VL onset timing. None of these outcomes revealed significant differences. The evidence is currently insufficient to justify the routine use of the McConnell Taping technique in the treatment of Anterior Knee Pain. There is a need for more evidence on the aetiological pathways of Anterior knee Pain; level one evidence and studies investigating other potential mechanisms of McConnell taping. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die objektief van hierdie resensie was om te bepaal wat die effekte van McConnell Patellar Vasbinding is op knie kinematika, kinetiek en spier aktivering in diegene met Voorafgaande Knie Pyn (VKP). Die navorsers het elektroniese databases soos Pubmed, Medline, Cinahl, Sportdiscus, Pedro en Science Direct, van aanvang tot September 2014, ondersoek. Eksperimenteel studie ontwerpe wat biomeganiese of EMG gevolge van McConnell Vasbinding vergelyk met geen vasbinding of placebo vasbinding, is ingesluit. Twee resente het die ondersoek voltooi, die volle tekse artikels gekies en die partydigheid risiko van die ingeslote studies, geskat. Skrywers is gekontak vir enige verlore data. Agt heterogeen studies uit ‘n totalle monster van 220 is in hierdie resensie ingesluit. Al die studies het ‘n gematigde tot laag risiko vir eensydigheid en vergelyk vasbinding met geen of placebo vasbinding. Data saamvoeging was moontlik vir drie uitslae, naamlik: gemiddelde knie ekstensor moment; gemiddelde VMO/VL ratio en gemiddelde aanval tydmeting. Geen gevolge het veelseggende verskille of afwykings vertoon. Tans is die bewys nie genoegsaam om die routiene gebruik van McConnell Vasbinding tegniek te regverdig nie in die behandeling van VKP. Meer bewyslewering op die etiologiese paaie van VKP; Graad een bewys en studies wat ander moontlike meganisme van Mc Connell Vasbinding ondersoek, is noodsaaklik.

Thesis (PhD(Sport Sc))--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this research was to gain insight into the sprinting of athletes with selected physical disabilities. The sprint performances of four Paralympic athletes (T43, T13, T37 and T38 classifications) were analysed in terms of variability in the biomechanics of their set position and in the kinematics of the initial acceleration phase and the maximal acceleration phase of their 100m sprints. The athletes also reported their perceptions about the potential of a rhythm training programme to influence their sprinting. A case study approach was used. Sprint kinematics were video-recorded four times over the training year. DartFish ProSuite software supported the digital tagging of anatomical landmarks and the calculation of the biomechanical features of the set position as well as the kinematics of each athlete. A subjective log was used to gather their perceptions about the rhythm training programme. There was variability in all aspects for all four Paralympic athletes. This should encourage coaches to help athletes find optimal kinematics in relation to their disability, rather than trying to coach them to a set template of an ideal form. Based on the kinematic data collected over all four test sessions, it appears that a coaching focus on stride length was the key to faster sprinting for this T43 (amputee) athlete. A coaching focus on stride frequency (once optimal stride length had been discovered) was the key for the T13 sprinter (visually impaired), and a coaching focus on stride frequency was the key to faster sprinting for both the T37 and T38 athletes (cerebral palsy). Although all of the athletes enjoyed the rhythm training programme, only the least experienced athlete (T38) reported that he would like to continue with this form of training. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie navorsing was om insig rakende die naellooptegnieke van atlete met geselekteerde fisiese gestremdhede te verky. Die naellooptegnieke van vier Paralimpiese atlete (T43, T13, T37 en T38 klassifikasies) is ontleed. Die ontleding is gedoen met betrekking tot die veranderlikheid in biomeganika tydens hul gereedheidsposisies in die wegspringblokke asook in die kinematika van die aanvanklike versnellingsfase en die maksimale versnellingsfase gedurende hul 100m naelloopitems. Die atlete het ook hul persepsies rakende ’n ritmiese oefenprogram wat potensieël hul naellope kon beïnvloed gerapporteer. ’n Gevallestudiebenadering is gebruik. Beeldmateriaal van naelloopkinematika is vier keer gedurende die oefenjaar vasgelê. “DartFish ProSuite” sagteware het die digitale kodering van anatomiese punte ondersteun asook die berekening van biomeganiese eienskappe gedurende die gereedheidsposisie en die kinematika van elke atlete gefasiliteer. Daar is op ’n subjektiewe basis boekgehou van die atlete se persepsies rakende die ritmiese oefenprogram. Daar was wisselvalligheid in alle aspekte met betrekking tot al vier Paralimpiese atlete. Dit behoort as aanmoeding vir afrigters te dien om atlete te help om optimale kinematika in verband met hul gestremdheid te vind, eerder as om die atlete volgens ’n vaste templaat of ideale vorm te probeer afrig. Volgens die kinematiese data wat oor die loop van al vier toetsingsessies ingesamel is blyk dit asof ’n afrigtingsfokus op treëlengte die sleutel tot vinniger naellope vir die T43- atleet (amputasie) was. ’n Afrigtingsfokus op treëfrekwensie (nadat optimale treëlengte bewerkstellig is) was die sleutel vir die T13-atleet (visueel gestremd) en ’n afrigtingsfokus op treëfrekwensie was die sleutel tot vinniger naellope vir beide die T37- en T38-atlete (serebrale gestremdheid). Alhoewel al die atlete die ritmiese oefenprogram geniet het, het slegs die mees onervare atleet (T38) aangedui dat hy met hierdie vorm van oefening sou wou aanhou.

Thesis (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigated the impact that use of a microcomputer-based laboratory (MBL), in this case the TRAC PAC and associated software, had on student understanding in relation to common 'alternative learner ideas' and difficulties related to kinematics and kinematic graphs. It was carried out in the South African context, and focussed on subject matter that learners are expected to work with in preparation for the Senior Certificate South African examination. Twenty Grade 12 learners from four different schools participated in the study. Three key questions were investigated: 1. What conceptual difficulties do learners in this context experience in relation to kinematics and kinematic graphs? 2. Does use of the TRAC PAC as a microcomputer-based laboratory contribute to learner understanding of graphs of motion and related concepts? 3. If learning is enhanced using the TRAC PAC, what are some of the 'ways of learning' evident as learners participated in the MBL programme? To answer these questions, the study employed both an empirical quantitative dimension and an ethnographic qualitative dimension. The empirical study involved the use of pre- and post-questionnaires which were administered before and after learners participated in a TRAC PACbased learning programme comprising of six 3-hour learning activities conducted over three days. Overall learner performance on the questionnaires, as well as responses to individual questions, were analysed statistically, as well as through use of an 'item and matrix' analysis technique described by Svec (1999). Chapter 8 of this document reports on this component of the study. The ethnographic component of the study made use of observational data, and transcripts of video and audio recordings of learners as they participated in the learning activities. The data gathered using these techniques was analysed largely through use of a 'verbal analysis' technique described by Chi (1997). Chapter 9 of this document reports on this component of the study. In relation to Research Question 1, the main findings of the study were: • A literature review highlighted common 'alternative learner ideas' identified by other researchers, and these allowed me to group them into four main areas. These are described in Chapter 4 of this report. • The analysis of the questionnaires highlighted 'alternative learner ideas' that the group of learners who participated in this project held. These are described in Chapter 8 of this report. • The analysis of the video and audio transcripts also allowed for the identification of 'alternative learner ideas' held by this group of learners. These are described in Chapter 9 of this report. There was a high degree of commonality between the 'alternative learner ideas' identified through use of these three different sources. Research Question 2 was answered mainly through the empirical study described in Chapter 8 of this report. It was found that the MBL experience generally resulted in an improvement in learner understanding in this area of kinematics and kinematic graphs. More detailed statistical and 'item and matrix' analyses showed that the impact on learner understanding was better in certain areas than in others. The ethnographic study described in Chapter 9 contributed to answeri The degree of learner involvement in learning activities seemed to impact on the effectiveness of the programme. Possible factors impacting on involvement were identified . • 'Alternative learner ideas' were made visible in the context of 'argumentation episodes' and 'discussion and explanation episodes'. Consequently, these formed the contexts in which shifts in understanding were most likely to take place. Key learner behaviours and skills necessary for participation in these episodes are identified, and linked to success and non-success on the programme. Recommendations arrsmg from findings m the study are described m Chapters 8, 9 and 10of this report. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie ondersoek bestudeer gebaseerde laboratorium, III gepaardgaande sagteware, op kinematikagrafieke het. die uitwerking wat 'n hierdie geval die TRAC studente se begrip van mikro-rekenaar PAC en die kinematika en Die ondersoek is III 'n Suid-Afrikaanse konteks uitgevoer en is toegespits op die vakmateriaal wat leerders behoort te beheers ter voorbereiding vir die Suid-Afrikaanse Senior Sertifikaat. Twintig Graad 12' s van vier verskillende skole het aan die ondersoek deelgeneem. Drie sleutelvrae is ondersoek: 1. Watter begripsprobleme ondervind leerders in hierdie verband met betrekking tot kinematika en kinematikagrafieke? 2. Dra die gebruik van die TRAC PAC as 'n mikro-rekenaar gebaseerde laboratorium by tot die leerder se begrip van kinematikagrafieke en verwante begrippe? 3. Indien "leer" deur die gebruik van die TRAC PAC bevorder word, watter "vorme van leer" is waarneembaar as leerders deelneem aan die MBL-program? Beide 'n empiries-kwantitatiewe dimensie en 'n etnografiese kwalitatiewe dimensie is in die navorsing gebruik. Die empiriese ondersoek maak van beide 'n voortoets en 'n na-toets gebruik. Hierdie vrae is aan die leerders voorsien voordat asook nadat hulle aan die TRAC PAC gebaseerde leerprogram deelgeneem het. Die leerprogram het bestaan uit ses leeraktiwiteite, elk drie uur lank, wat oor 'n tydperk van drie dae gedoen is. Die leerders se prestasie/uitslae met betrekking tot die vrae asook hul reaksie op individuele vrae is statisties ontleed, asook met behulp van die 'item en matriks' analitiese tegniek soos deur Svec (1999) beskryf. Hoofstuk 8 van hierdie verslag verwys na hierdie deel van die ondersoek. Die etnografiese komponent van die die ondersoek maak gebruik van waarnemingsdata en transkripsies van band- en video-opnames van leerders verkry tydens hul deelname aan die leeraktiwiteite. Die data so verkry, IS hoofsaaklik geanaliseer deur van die 'n verbale analise-tegniek gebruik te maak soos deur Chi (1999) voorgestel. Hoofstuk 9 van hierdie dokument doen verslag oor hierdie komponent van die ondersoek. Wat Navorsingsvraag 1 betref, IS die hoofbevindings van die studie die volgende: • 'n literatuur-oorsig beklemtoon die algemene alternatiewe leerderopvattings wat deur ander navorsers geidentifiseer is. Dit het my in staat gestelom hulle in 4 hoofareas te groepeer wat ek in hoofstuk 4 van die verslag bespreek. • Die analise van die vraelyste beklemtoon die alternatiewe leerderopvattings van die groep leerders wat aan hierdie proj ek deelgeneem het. Dit word in hoofstuk 8 van hierdie verslag bespreek. • Die analise van die band- en video-opnames het ook bygedra tot die identifikasie van' alternatiewe leerder-idees' wat by hierdie groep leerders voorkom. Dit word in hoofstuk 9 van hierdie verslag bespreek. Daar is 'n groot mate van ooreenkoms ten opsigte van die alternatiewe leerderopvattings wat by hierdie drie verskillende groepe voorkom. Navorsingsvraag 2 is hoofsaaklik beantwoord deur die emprrrese studie wat in hoofstuk 8 van hierdie verslag bespreek word. Daar is bevind dat die MBLondervinding oor die algemeen 'n vebetering in die leerders se begrip ten opsigte van kinematika en kinematikagrafieke tot gevolg gehad het. 'n Meer gedetailleerde statistiese 'item en matriks' -analise het getoon dat die uitwerking op die leerders se begrip in sommige areas beter was as in ander. Die etnografiese studie wat in hoofstuk 9 van hierdie verslag beskryf word, dra by tot die beantwoording van Navorsingsvraag 3. Sleutelbevindings met betrekking tot hierdie vraag sluit onder andere in: • Leerderdeelname aan leeraktiwiteite hou skynbaar verband met die sukses wat hulle in die program behaal. Moontlike faktore wat 'n invloed op deelname kon hê, is geidentifiseer. • Alternatiewe leerderopvattings is In die konteks van 'beredeneringsepisodes ' en 'besprekings- en verduidelikings-episodes' uitgelig. Hierdie "episodes" het die waarskynlikste verband uitgewys waarbinne veranderings van insig/begrip kan plaasvind. Kernleerdergedrag en vaardighede wat noodsaaklik IS vir die deelname aan hierdie episodes is geidentifiseer, en is gekoppel aan 'n leerder se sukses en mislukking tydens deelname aan die program. Aanbevelings wat voortspruit uit die bevindings van die ondersoek word In hoofstukke 8, 9 en 10 van hierdie verslag, bespreek.

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In this paper, we introduce the Local Volume TiNy Titans sample (LV-TNT), which is a part of a larger body of work on interacting dwarf galaxies: TNT . This LV-TNT sample consists of 10 dwarf galaxy pairs in the Local Universe (< 30 Mpc from Milky Way), which span mass ratios of M-*,M- 1/M-*,M- 2 < 20, projected separations < 100 kpc, and pair member masses of log(M-*/M-aS (TM)) < 9.9. All 10 LV-TNT pairs have resolved synthesis maps of their neutral hydrogen, are located in a range of environments and captured at various interaction stages. This enables us to do a comparative study of the diffuse gas in dwarf-dwarf interactions and disentangle the gas lost due to interactions with haloes of massive galaxies, from the gas lost due to mutual interaction between the dwarfs. We find that the neutral gas is extended in the interacting pairs when compared to non-paired analogues, indicating that gas is tidally pre-processed. Additionally, we find that the environment can shape the H i distributions in the form of trailing tails and that the gas is not unbound and lost to the surroundings unless the dwarf pair is residing near a massive galaxy. We conclude that a nearby, massive host galaxy is what ultimately prevents the gas from being re-accreted. Dwarf-dwarf interactions thus represent an important part of the baryon cycle of low-mass galaxies, enabling the 'parking' of gas at large distances to serve as a continual gas supply channel until accretion by a more massive host.

Elbow joint laxity is a problem that normally comes with age; it increases up to critical levels due to rupture or damage to the ligaments of the elbow and affects the stability and capacities of the joint, interfering even with daily activities. This work investigates the kinematics of the elbow through in-vivo experimental measurement. To this end, a platform based on Stewart Platform mechanism was built and used at the bioengineering labs of Brunel University in West London, the UK, to measure the six degrees of freedom of the joint. This thesis aims to develop a method to simulate such motion which could be used for elbow implant design and manufacture. This work contributes to both the basic science of joint movement measurement and to the clinical applications of diagnosing elbow illness. In addition this research presents the preliminary results for a design for elbow implants. Tracking system developed in house was used to measure the degrees of freedom in healthy elbow motion. A pilot study was performed to assess the joint motion and its repeatability. A group of volunteers with normal elbow movement was used to carry out this study. A Stewart Platform mechanism based on the tracking system was used in this study as a non-invasive tool to capture elbow joint motion and track the trajectory and pattern of the motion in three-dimensional space. This thesis aimed to develop a method to simulate the elbow joint motion that could potentially be used for the elbow implants design and there manufacture. The goal of this study was achieved by in vivo measurement of the elbow movement. It was found that the results vary from person to person, but a healthy pattern of motion can be distinguished from an abnormal pattern. To ensure the result, the motion of the right and left hand of each person was compared,allowing the behaviour of the elbow motion to be judged and the results can help surgeons to analyze the motion of the elbow joint and follow up suspicions of abnormal behaviour in the joint or trace any possible joint laxity. Furthermore, the errors involved with the mechanism were calculated and appropriate factors were applied to correct them. As part of this study the manufacturing of medical implants was reviewed and discussed.

Thesis (MScEng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / The input orientation of the excavators in use today usually comprises two joysticks that control the actuator links individually. In order to perform an excavation task, several different combinations of joystick inputs are required, placing high psychomotor demands on the operator. In training an operator this creates a steep learning curve, with a lengthy training time and a reasonable amount of experience being required to perform an excavation task skilfully. In this master’s thesis a haptic1 device was developed, resolving input ergonomics and creating a single input device capable of providing feedback to the operator. The design and construction of the haptic device, with the related control scheme, is presented and discussed. The control scheme combines position and rate control, and relates all the actuator joint positions to a single end-effector point. The control and ergonomic aspects of the haptic device were tested and compared to the traditional two joystick control setup by means of the implementation of a virtual excavator simulator. The simulation was developed in MATLAB, and virtual excavator displayed in an openGL window. The objective of this study was to evaluate the human factors related to the input orientation. Ten inexperienced test subjects were recruited to perform four sets of tests, where each test required a different level of operator skill. The results indicated that, on average, the test subjects had an increased level of performance after training on the haptic device. These results strongly support the hypothesis that haptic control simplifies the operational tasks required for operating an excavator. 1The word haptic means of, or relating to, the sense of touch, or tactile