Bibliography / Thesis (MEdPsych (Educational Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie was onderneem om insig te bekom oor hoёrskool leerders met 'n liggaamlike gestremdheid se ervaringe. Kwalitatiewe navorsing is gedoen ten einde begrip en insig te ontwikkel omtrent die kernaspekte ter bevordering van effektiewe insluiting van adolessente met 'n liggaamlike gestremdheid tot die hoofstroomskool. Die narratiewe ondersoek as ontwerp was gepas juis omdat so 'n ontwerp kreatiewe ruimte laat vir die deelnemers om die betekenis wat hulle aan hul lewenservarings heg, te verwoord. Die deelnemers is die geleentheid gebied om in hul eie woorde en op hul eie manier hul storie te vertel van hoe hulle met 'n gestremdheid hoёrskool ervaar. Die primêre metodes van ondersoek was semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude, een fokusgroeponderhoud en die skep van kollages. Die deelnemers is huidiglik in die adolessensie fase wat hulle op dieselfde emosionele en fisieke ontwikkelingsvlak as hul portuur plaas. Die verskil word gemanifesteer in hoe die adolessente met liggaamlike gestremdhede hulself sien en hoe die reaksies van hulle portuurgroep oor hulle gestremdhede hulle selfbeeld beïnvloed. Beter insig in die realiteit van hul ervarings, hulle gevoelens en uitdagings kan beter ondersteuning aan dié adolessente moontlik maak. Die proses van data-analise het vyf temas opgelewer, naamlik: skoolkeuse, sosiale lewe, ondersteuning, reaksies op gestremdhede en uitdagings. Die kernaspekte hieraan verbonde berus hoofsaaklik op die houdings en sieninge van die hele skoolgemeenskap, die aanspreek van die uitdagings, die benutting van spesifieke onderwys- en onderrigstrategieё ter bevordering van insluiting en die erkenning van die waarde wat die insluiting van adolessente met liggaamlike gestremdhede tot hoofstroom-onderwys toevoeg. Die bevindinge dui daarop dat, alhoewel die reaksies op hul gestremdheid meesal negatief is, word die adolessente deur die positiwiteit van 'n minderheid aangemoedig om uitdagings te oorbrug. Negatiewe ervarings sluit in strukturele uitdagings, gevoelens van hartseer, eensaamheid, uitsluiting, verwerping, frustrasie, onvergenoegheid, angstigheid en geїrriteerdheid. Positiewe ervarings sluit in vaardighede, bekwaamheid, talente, interafhanklikheid, volhoubare ondersteuning en vriendskappe sowel as geleenthede vir interaksie met hulle portuurgroep, veral die van die teenoorgestelde geslag. Die studie het ook leemtes uitgewys in terme van die onvermoё van die onderwysowerheid om hulle insluiting in die hoofstroom te fasiliteer by wyse van infrastruktuur sowel as bewusmakingsveldtogte en die daarstelling van programme om adolessente met 'n liggaamlike gestremdheid te ondersteun. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study was undertaken to acquire insight into the experiences of high school learners with a physical disability. Qualitative research methods were used to develop understanding and insight with regard to core aspects which promotes effective inclusion of adolescents with a physical disability into mainstream. The narrative approach as research design was appropriate especially as this research design allows the participants greater creativity to express in words the meaning of their lived experiences. The participants were offered the opportunity to tell their stories in their own words and in their own way of how they experience high school with a disability. The primary methods of research were semi-structured interviews, one focus group interview and the creation of collages. The participants are currently in the phase of adolescence which places them on the same level of emotional and physical development as their peers. The difference manifests itself in the way that adolescents with a physical disability see themselves and how the reactions of their peers towards their disabilities influence their self-image. Enhanced insight into the reality of the experiences, feelings and challenges of adolescents with disabilities can lead to improved support. The process of data analysis has yielded five themes, namely: school selection, social life, support, reactions towards disabilities and challenges. Important aspects related to these themes are based mainly on the attitudes and views of the whole school community; the way in which challenges are addressed; the utilization of specific education and teaching strategies to improve inclusion and the acknowledgement of the value of inclusion that adolescents with physical disabilities add to mainstream education. The findings indicated that, although the reactions towards their disability are mostly negative, these adolescents are being driven to overcome their challenges through the positivity of a minority. Negative experiences include: structural challenges, feelings of sadness, loneliness, exclusion, rejection, frustration, not being good enough, anxiety and irritability. Positive experiences include: skills, competencies, talents, interdependency, sustainable support and friendships, as well as opportunities for interaction with their peers especially those of the opposite sex. The study also indicated shortcomings in terms of the inability of the education authority to facilitate their inclusion into mainstream with regard to infrastructure, as well as awareness campaigns and the introduction of programmes to support adolescents with a physical disability.

AFRIKAANS: Die Christendom is steeds die grootste religieuse beweging en die ontstaan daarvan word aan die historiese persoon, Jesus Christus, toegeskryf. Alhoewel talle Hom steeds as Verlosser en Here aanbid, bestaan alternatiewe opvattinge wat Hom tot ʼn mens reduseer wat tot ʼn verhewe geestelike vlak beweeg het. Vir die mensdom dien Hy dus slegs as voorbeeld en is teenstellend tot die tradisionele beskouing eeuelank deur die ortodokse Christendom voorgehou. Navorsers wat hierdie oorwegend ebionitiese opvatting jeens Jesus huldig, beweer dat die Nuwe Testament verkeerdelik goddelikheid aan Jesus toeskryf. Die wonderwerke aan Hom toegedig – veral sy geboorte uit ʼn maagd asook sy liggaamlike opstanding – word veral sedert die Verligting bevraagteken of selfs verwerp. Die betroubaarheid van die Nuwe Testament, en veral die evangelies, kom dus in die gedrang. Die bewering word ook gemaak dat rasionele persone nie meer aan so ʼn argaïese boodskap gehoor kan gee nie. Dié Christus in die vroeë kerk se geloof en verkondiging verwoord, is dus nie dieselfde persoon as dié een wat in die eerste eeu geleef het nie. Die Christus wat tans verkondig word, het dus nooit bestaan nie en die werklike historiese Jesus lê agter hierdie kerugmatiese Christus versluier en moet daarvan verlos word. Die ontstaan van die Skrifkritiek het ook tot die ondersoek na die historiese Jesus gelei. In die twintigste eeu het Barth, Bultmann, Moltmann en Pannenberg nuwere sistematies teologiese bydraes gelewer wat veral op die interpretasie van die opstanding van Jesus Christus gefokus het. Barth en Bultmann het hierin radikaal van mekaar verskil met eersgenoemde wat die belang van die liggaamlike opstanding van Jesus Christus, asook die leë graf as bevestiging daarvan, beklemtoon het. Met hierdie gebeure is Hy ook as die Seun van God aangetoon. Bultmann, aan die anderkant, het heelwat gegewens in die evangelies as van mitologiese aard beskou. Die opstanding is dus nie ʼn gebeurtenis in die geskiedenis van die wêreld nie en Jesus het slegs in die bewussyn van die dissipels opgestaan. Sy invloed het teologie-beoefening daarna drasties beïnvloed. Moltmann en Pannenberg beklemtoon die belang van die liggaamlike opstanding van Jesus as gebeure in die wêreldgeskiedenis en dus vir historiese navorsing oop. Beide beklemtoon ook die kosmiese belang van die Jesusgebeure. Die brandpunte in die teologiese debat rakende die opstanding behels wonderwerke asook die belang van historiese navorsing. Die bewerings in die evangelies aangaande die leë graf asook Jesus se verskynings, is dus in die spervuur. ʼn Fundamentele vraag is wat tot die ontstaan van die Christendom gelei het, asook die bepaalde vorm wat dit aangeneem het. Die historiese probleem bly steeds dat Jesus Christus se impak op die wêreldgeskiedenis die afgelope twee duisend jaar ongeëwenaard is. Die paradoksaliteit hiervan hang met die historiese feit saam dat Jesus na sowat drie tot vier jaar van sy bediening op ʼn aaklige wyse aan ʼn Romeinse kruishout gesterf het. Die verrassende was dat hy binne ʼn paar dae daarna deur veral Jode as God vereer is en hierdie beweging het binne ʼn kort tyd duisende volgelinge gehad. Die deurslaggewende rede vir hierdie drastiese verandering was dat ʼn aantal persone vanaf die derde dag na sy kruisdood beweer het dat hulle hom lewend ervaar en met hom oor ʼn periode van veertig dae ontmoetings gehad het. Hierdie persone het binne sewe weke hierdie gebeure as sentraal in hulle verkondiging beskou en dit het tot die ontstaan van die Christendom gelei. Hierdie drastiese gevolg vra na ʼn buitengewone oorsaak. Die tradisionele Christelike apologetiek aangaande die identiteit en betekenis van Jesus Christus as Seun van God is tot ʼn groot mate op die getuienis rakende wonderwerke in die evangelies, met die opstanding as hoogtepunt, gefundeer. Sedert die Verligting is die moontlikheid van wonderwerke egter bevraagteken en hiertoe het veral Spinoza en Hume bydraes gelewer. Die naturalistiese uitgangspunt het voorkeur geniet en daartoe gelei dat die moontlikheid van wonderwerke apriories uitgeskakel is. Die wetenskap het veral die Newtoniaanse meganiese ordening van die heelal aangehang. Aangesien wonderwerke ʼn verbreking hiervan is, is dit bevraagteken en selfs verwerp. Die betroubaarheid en die aard van die evangelies is dus aan die orde aangesien dit hierdie gebeure rapporteer. Die strewe na gelykvormigheid op alle gebiede in die wetenskap het daartoe gelei dat die opstanding van Jesus apriories uitgeskakel is aangesien ons tans geen ervaring het van dooie mense wat opstaan nie. Gevolglik is die evangelies histories onbetroubaar en heelwat gegewens daarin as van mitologiese aard beskou. Geskiedenis word egter deur onvoorspelbaarheid gekenmerk en uit die rapportering in die evangelies blyk die opstanding van Jesus Christus histories te wees. Die Joodse wêreldbeskouing waarbinne hierdie Jesusgebeure plaasgevind het, word juis deur God se optrede in die eskiedenis gekenmerk. Aangesien die opstanding as historiese gebeurtenis oorgedra word, blyk dit vir ondersoek oop te wees. Die literêre aard van die evangelies vergelyk met dié van Grieks-Romeinse biografieë van daardie tydperk – al is hulle met teologiese en kerugmatiese aspekte vermeng. Aangesien die Nuwe Testament en spesifiek die evangelieverhale in die Joodse wêreldbeeld veranker is, blyk die historiese betroubaarheid daarvan voorop te wees en rapporteer hulle dié Jesus van die geskiedenis. Veral die ooggetuie-aard daarvan, asook nabyheid aan die gebeure, maak hierdie dokumente betroubaar. Die opstandingsparadigma het met verloop van tyd in die Joodse gedagtegang ontwikkel en het deurentyd met liggaamlikheid te make gehad. Die Skepper- en Verbondsgod is lief vir sy skepping en algaande het die opvatting posgevat dat Hy nie sou toelaat dat sy skepping en veral die mense met wie Hy in ʼn verhouding getree het, tot niet sou gaan nie. Die term “opstanding” het in die eerste eeu vir beide Jood asook heiden liggaamlikheid beteken. Laasgenoemde het liggaamlike opstanding egter as onmoontlik beskou, maar die vroegste Christene, wat veral uit die Judaïsme gekom het, het dit aangaande Jesus Christus gesê. Met hul opmerking: “Hy is op die derde dag opgewek,” is die liggaamlike interpretasie voorop en laat reg aan die opstandingsverhale in die evangelies geskied. Die direkte, oftewel spesifieke, historiese getuienis rakende die opstanding van Jesus Christus fokus op die leë graf, asook die ontmoetings wat talle persone daarna met Jesus gehad het. Hulle het Hom opnuut lewend ervaar, alhoewel sy liggaam verandering ondergaan het. Die eerste Christene was egter nie op hierdie gebeure voorberei nie. Enige alternatiewe verklarings vir die leë graf asook ontmoetings daarna, lei tot allerlei ingewikkelde hipoteses wat die historiese gebeure nie op koherent eenvoudige wyse verklaar nie. Van belang, egter, is dat enige historiese ondersoek nie met absolute sekerheid nie, maar met waarskynlikheid gepaardgaan. Die indirekte historiese getuienis (omstandigheidsgetuienis) aangaande die opstanding van Jesus Christus het onder andere met die verandering van die eerste dissipels, asook die ontstaan van die Christendom te make. Joodse tradisies wat vir eeue gekoester en van lewensbelang beskou is, het binne ʼn kort tyd onder die eerste Christene, meestal Jode, drasties verander. ʼn Hoë Christologie het ook vroeg sy beslag gekry en die Nuwe Testament reflekteer hierdie teologiese benadering tot Jesus Christus as Logos en dus deel van die Drie-eenheid – veral die vroeë formule in 1 Korintiërs 15:3-7 onderstreep dit. Jesus se sterwe is ook op hierdie vroeë stadium as soteriologies aangedui. Verdere omstandigheidsgetuienis behels die herdefiniëring van die Joodse messiaanse verwagting asook die Joodse Godbeskouing. In Jesus het die God van Israel en die kosmos tussen sy skepsele kom woon. Gefundeerde historiese opstandingsnavorsing is tans van fundamentele belang en lei tot identifisering van die historiese Jesus. Dit identifiseer Hom ook as die vertrekpunt en historiese verwysing rakende die Godvraag. Met sy opstanding het Jesus die nuwe skepping en God se koninkryk ingelei wat die vernietiging van die dood impliseer. Die soteriologie sluit ook die totale materiële werklikheid in en die liggaamlike opstanding van Jesus beklemtoon dit juis. Die opstanding van Jesus Christus is koherent met ʼn Christelik-teïstiese wêreldbeskouing en lei noodwendig tot die herdefiniëring van enige wêreldbeskouing. Die Christosentriese benadering tot God toon ook God se aard aan ons. Veral die dienskneggestalte, asook die beoefening van geregtigheid, was by Hom voorop en toon aan dat navolging van Hom hieraan voorkeur behoort te gee. Hiermee word die navolging van Christus gekonkretiseer en die Heilige Gees speel hierin ʼn fundamentele rol. Verwondering en sinvolheid van die lewe word deur die opstanding van Jesus Christus daargestel. Die opstanding van Jesus bied dus ʼn fundamentele uitdaging aan enige wêreldbeskouing aangesien die mees aanvaarbare historiese verklaring vir hierdie gebeurtenis is dat Jesus liggaamlik uit die dood opgestaan het – dus ‘n unieke gebeurtenis van fundamentele en kosmiese belang. Die hipotese dat Jesus van Nasaret uit die dood opgewek is, was in die eerste eeu net so kontroversieel as tans en word nie slegs deur die moderne mens bevraagteken nie. Dit verskaf egter die mees koherente en bevredigende verklaring vir die ontstaan van die Christendom asook die spesifieke vorm wat dit aangeneem het. ENGLISH: Christianity remains the largest religious movement and its origin is ascribed to the historical person of Jesus Christ. Although many still worship him as Saviour and Lord, alternative viewpoints reduce him to a mere human being that evolved to a highly developed spiritual plane. To humankind he is therefore nothing more than an example and contradicts the traditional viewpoint held by orthodox Christianity throughout the centuries. Researchers subscribing to this ebionitical viewpoint, is of the opinion that the New Testament wrongly depicts him as God. Since the Enlightenment, especially the miracles ascribed to him – his virginal conception and bodily resurrection – are questioned, or plainly rejected. The reliability of the New Testament, and the gospels specifically, is questioned. It is maintained that a rational person can no more adhere to such an archaic message. Therefore, the Christ of the early faith and proclamation of the church, is not the same person who lived in the first century. The Christ presently proclaimed thus never existed and the real historical Jesus should be released from captivity. The commencement of Scriptural criticism led to the search for the historical Jesus. In the twentieth century Barth, Bultmann, Moltmann and Pannenberg produced newer systematic theological contributions that focused on the interpretation of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In this regard Barth and Bultmann differ substantially. Barth emphasises the importance of the bodily resurrection as well as the empty tomb of Jesus Christ as its corroboration, thereby confirming Him as the Son of God. Bultmann, on the other hand, regards much of the gospels as mythology. The resurrection, therefore, is not an event in the history of the world and Jesus only arose in the minds and memories of the apostles. Bultmann had an immense influence on theological research in the twentieth century. Moltmann and Pannenberg emphasise the importance of the bodily resurrection of Jesus as an event in world history and thus open to historical verification. Both emphasise the cosmic importance of the Jesus event. The issues in the theological debate regarding the resurrection are miracles and the importance of historical research thereof. The assertions in the gospels regarding the empty tomb and Jesus’ appearances are under scrutiny. A fundamental question is what led to the origin of Christianity as well as its specific features. The historical problem remains that the impact Jesus Christ made on world history the past two thousand years, is without parallel. Paradoxically it coheres with the historical fact that Jesus, after two to three years of ministry, was crucified by the Romans. The amazing development, however, is that within a few days mostly Jews worshipped him as God and within a short time this movement grew to multitudes praying to Jesus. The reason for this dramatic change was the announcement by a few people that on the third day after his crucifixion they had experiences of Jesus being alive and this continued for forty days. Within seven weeks these people announced this event as central to their faith and praxis and led to the origin of Christianity. Such a drastic effect cries out for a drastic cause. The traditional Christian apologetic regarding the identity and meaning of Jesus Christ as the Son of God is to a great extent founded on miracles in the gospels with the resurrection as the ultimate example thereof. Since the Enlightenment the possibility of miracles were questioned and Spinoza, as well as Hume, played a role in this. The naturalistic viewpoint enjoyed preference and led to the prior exclusion of miracles. The Newtonian mechanical ordering of the universe was the chosen scientific paradigm. Due to the fact that miracles represent a violation thereof, it was questioned and even rejected. Thereby the reliability as well as the nature of the gospels are questioned because they report these events. The quest towards uniformity in all aspects of science led to the prior exclusion of the resurrection of Jesus because of the contemporary lack of experience of deceased people rising from the dead. Therefore the gospels are regarded as later additions to the historical Jesus and interpreted as mythology. History is contingent and the gospels report the resurrection of Jesus as historical. The Jewish worldview that provided the setting for the events surrounding Jesus, had fundamentally been moulded by God’s involvement in history. Because the resurrection is reported as an historical event, it is open to research. The literary character of the gospels resembles biographies of that time although mixed with theological and kerygmatic aspects. Due to the fact that the New Testament, and specifically the gospels, are rooted in the Jewish worldview it seems that their historical reliability is above question and they represent the Jesus of history. Their eyewitness testimony and nearness to the events, specifically, establish these documents as reliable. Jesus’ selfconsciousness also comes to the fore and contributes to the religious-historical context that signifies the high probability of the bodily resurrection and meaningfully explains it. The resurrection paradigm developed in the Jewish mindset over time and had to do with corporeality. The Creator and God of the covenant loves his creation and the viewpoint gradually developed that He would not allow his creation, and especially the people to whom He relates, to perish. “Resurrection” in the first century to both Jew and gentile had to do with bodies. The gentiles regarded bodily resurrection as impossible, but the earliest Christians – mostly Jews – proclaimed it regarding Jesus. With their remark: “He is risen on the third day,” corporeality was foremost and reflected the resurrection narratives in the gospels. The direct, or specific historical witness regarding the resurrection of Jesus Christ, focuses on the empty tomb, as well as meetings with Jesus following the discovery of the empty tomb. They experienced him alive again, although his body had changed. The first Christians were not prepared for these events. Any alternative explanation for the empty tomb and meetings afterwards, leads to complicated hypotheses that do not reflect the historical events in a coherent and simple way. Of importance, however, is that historical research does not lead to absolute certainty but probability. The indirect historical evidence (circumstantial evidence) regarding the resurrection of Jesus Christ, focuses on the change the first disciples underwent, as well as the origin of Christianity. Jewish tradition for centuries regarded as of fundamental and life importance, changed dramatically within a short time period amongst Christians, mostly Jews. A high Christology developed within a very short time and the New Testament reflects this theological viewpoint with regard to Jesus Christ as Logos and thus part of the Trinity. The early formula in 1 Corinthians 15:3-7 highlights this. At an early stage Jesus’ death was also indicated to be of soteriological nature. Further circumstantial evidence consists of the redefinition of the Jewish messianic expectation as well as the Jewish view about God. In Jesus the God of Israel and the cosmos came to dwell amongst his creatures. Thorough historical research is of fundamental importance and leads to identifying the historical Jesus. This establishes him as the historical reference point regarding the question about God. With his resurrection Jesus initiated the new creation as well as God’s kingdom and implies the annihilation of death. Soteriology has to do with the total universe, including its materiality, and the bodily resurrection of Jesus accentuates this. The resurrection of Jesus is coherent with a Christian-theistic worldview and necessarily leads to redefining any worldview. The Christological approach to God also shows his character. Servanthood, as well as righteousness, especially, was fundamental in his conduct. This implies that his followers should give this special attention. In this way the imitation of Christ becomes visible and the Holy Spirit plays a fundamental part. The resurrection of Christ accomplishes a sense of wonder as well as meaning to life. The resurrection of Jesus challenges any worldview fundamentally because the most acceptable historical explanation for this event is that Jesus rose bodily from the dead. This signifies a unique event of cosmic importance. The hypothesis that Jesus of Nazareth rose from the dead, was in the first century just as controversial as today and not only questioned by modern man. It still provides the most coherent and satisfying explanation for the origin of Christianity as well as the specific form it took. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Dogmatics and Christian Ethics / unrestricted

The low physical activity (PA) levels of children have become a national public health concern in South Africa. Moreover, the quality of Physical Education (PE) in South African schools has been compromised by challenges resulting from the subject’s reintroduction after a long absence from the school curriculum. Up to date no study has investigated the effects of a quality PE programme, within the prescriptions of the South African Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS), on the PA and fitness levels of twelve to thirteen years old South African children. Furthermore, no PA measuring instrument exists that has been validated specifically for South African children of this age group, with which to conduct such a study. The objectives of this study were therefore, firstly, to validate a standardised PA questionnaire for Grade 7 learners in a South African context; secondly, to evaluate the effects of an enhanced quality PE programme presented by well-trained teachers, on the PA levels, and thirdly on the physical and motor fitness of Grade 7 learners in Potchefstroom, South Africa. For the first objective, 108 schoolchildren aged twelve to thirteen years (boys, n=45; girls, n=63) from two primary schools in Potchefstroom participated in this study to validate the Children’s Leisure Activities Study Survey (CLASS) for children in a South African context. Test-retest reliability of the questionnaire was examined with an interval of 3 weeks, while validity was assessed by comparing measurements of the reported minutes in PAs from questionnaire responses with ten physical fitness parameters using the Eurofit test battery. Data analysis included Cronbach’s alpha coefficients, paired t-test and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC), and Spearman correlation coefficients (r). The results showed substantial internal consistency and significant intra-class correlations estimates for all intensities of PA and sedentary time (ST). Non-significant differences were found in the means of test and retest measurements. Aerobic fitness was significantly correlated with all intensities of PA and ST, and the results of several of the other fitness tests had significant associations with vigorous PA. For the fulfillment of the second and the third objectives, 110 Grade 7 learners (experimental school, n = 40; control schools, n = 70) were studied. The twelve-week PE intervention programme was presented according to the prescriptions of the CAPS which allocates one hour per week to PE, but included 5 quality-enhancing components namely well-trained teachers, homework activities, a reward system, improvised apparatus and the monitoring of activity intensity. Data was collected by means of the validated CLASS questionnaire, anthropometric measurements as well as physical and motor fitness tests, by means of the Eurofit test battery. Data analysis included Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, a series of analyses of covariance (ANCOVA), Tukey’s post hoc analysis, and interpreting effect sizes for practical significance. The results showed practically and statistically significant increases in moderate PA, vigorous PA, and total PA as well as decreases in sedentary behaviours. Furthermore, the learners’ data on physical and motor fitness levels showed statistically significant improvements among most of the experimental groups with regard to six of the ten fitness parameters. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the enhanced quality PE programme is effective in improving the PA, physical and motor fitness levels of South African primary school children. Therefore it is recommended that PE programmes in South Africa include the quality-enhancing components used in this intervention programme. Moreover, the modified CLASS questionnaire is a valid and reliable measure of PA among South African Grade 7 schoolchildren. / PhD (Human Movement Science), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The low physical activity (PA) levels of children have become a national public health concern in South Africa. Moreover, the quality of Physical Education (PE) in South African schools has been compromised by challenges resulting from the subject’s reintroduction after a long absence from the school curriculum. Up to date no study has investigated the effects of a quality PE programme, within the prescriptions of the South African Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS), on the PA and fitness levels of twelve to thirteen years old South African children. Furthermore, no PA measuring instrument exists that has been validated specifically for South African children of this age group, with which to conduct such a study. The objectives of this study were therefore, firstly, to validate a standardised PA questionnaire for Grade 7 learners in a South African context; secondly, to evaluate the effects of an enhanced quality PE programme presented by well-trained teachers, on the PA levels, and thirdly on the physical and motor fitness of Grade 7 learners in Potchefstroom, South Africa. For the first objective, 108 schoolchildren aged twelve to thirteen years (boys, n=45; girls, n=63) from two primary schools in Potchefstroom participated in this study to validate the Children’s Leisure Activities Study Survey (CLASS) for children in a South African context. Test-retest reliability of the questionnaire was examined with an interval of 3 weeks, while validity was assessed by comparing measurements of the reported minutes in PAs from questionnaire responses with ten physical fitness parameters using the Eurofit test battery. Data analysis included Cronbach’s alpha coefficients, paired t-test and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC), and Spearman correlation coefficients (r). The results showed substantial internal consistency and significant intra-class correlations estimates for all intensities of PA and sedentary time (ST). Non-significant differences were found in the means of test and retest measurements. Aerobic fitness was significantly correlated with all intensities of PA and ST, and the results of several of the other fitness tests had significant associations with vigorous PA. For the fulfillment of the second and the third objectives, 110 Grade 7 learners (experimental school, n = 40; control schools, n = 70) were studied. The twelve-week PE intervention programme was presented according to the prescriptions of the CAPS which allocates one hour per week to PE, but included 5 quality-enhancing components namely well-trained teachers, homework activities, a reward system, improvised apparatus and the monitoring of activity intensity. Data was collected by means of the validated CLASS questionnaire, anthropometric measurements as well as physical and motor fitness tests, by means of the Eurofit test battery. Data analysis included Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, a series of analyses of covariance (ANCOVA), Tukey’s post hoc analysis, and interpreting effect sizes for practical significance. The results showed practically and statistically significant increases in moderate PA, vigorous PA, and total PA as well as decreases in sedentary behaviours. Furthermore, the learners’ data on physical and motor fitness levels showed statistically significant improvements among most of the experimental groups with regard to six of the ten fitness parameters. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the enhanced quality PE programme is effective in improving the PA, physical and motor fitness levels of South African primary school children. Therefore it is recommended that PE programmes in South Africa include the quality-enhancing components used in this intervention programme. Moreover, the modified CLASS questionnaire is a valid and reliable measure of PA among South African Grade 7 schoolchildren. / PhD (Human Movement Science), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

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.

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of an eight-week fundamental motor skills program on the physical and cognitive development of Grade 1 learners. The Basic Motor Ability Test was used in the evaluation of the 39 learners that formed the experimental group as well as for the 29 learners in the control group. Two additional subtests were included, namely the 400m endurance run and a dynamic balance test. After the initial testing the experimental group participated in an eight-week skills program for 30 minutes a day, four days a week. The program included stability, locomotor and manipulation activities. Hereafter a retest was done. The control group only completes the test and retest and not the skills program. The data of the variables tested were coded in computer format and statistically evaluated. In the processing of the data, the raw datum (performance) was converted to percentile norms. In order to determine if a child had improved in a certain physiological parameter percentile norms are used. The t-test was used to determine if the skills program had a positive influence on the variables tested. Two different t-test were used: the t-test for independent groups and the t-test for paired groups. The experimental research revealed that the skills program did not have a significant influence on most of the tested variables. In some instances the experimental and control groups were not on the same level at the start of the research, which made it more difficult to compare the two groups. For some variables both the experimental and control groups improved which is an indication that the improvement cannot be ascribed to the skills program alone. The following two variables, sit-and-reach and co-ordination (hand-eye) did improve notably and it may be due to the influence of the skills program. In both instances the average performance of the experimental group improved while this improvement was not evident in the control group. The cognitive variables were assessed by a questionnaire administered by each learner’s teacher after the conclusion of the skills program. Only the experimental group was involved. The questionnaire consisted of six questions comprising both categorical and open responses. The cognitive variables that were assessed were the following: 1. venturesome ness; 2. attention and concentration; 3. self esteem; 4. socialization and ability to work in a group; 5. ability to plan; and 6. ability to finish his/her given task. The results indicated that more than half of the learners improved in all the cognitive variables. Socialization and the ability to work in a group improved in most of the learners. / Thesis (DPhil (Human Movement Science))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Biokinetics, Sport and Leisure Sciences / unrestricted