Thesis (M.P.H.)--University of Queensland. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (MAppSc in Physiotherapy)--University of South Australia, 1996

Thesis (MHSc--Health Science) -- Auckland University of Technology, 2004. / Also held in print (271 leaves, col. ill., 30 cm.) in Wellesley Theses Collection. (T 796.324 HEN)

Thesis (MAppSc in Physiotherapy)--University of South Australia, 1996

With the growth in the use of technology in sports, there has been an improvement in sporting performances. Some may argue that the two go hand in hand, while others will write it off as coincidence. Nevertheless the use of technology in sport is seen on a daily basis. Cricket uses Hotspot, tennis uses Hawk-Eye and rugby uses slow motion video replays. In these sports codes, technology is already an aid to umpires. Little is known, however, about the technologies used to assist coaches in sports codes such as netball. This study investigated the factors impacting the introduction of information technology in the coaching of netball. The study commenced with using the term technology in the broader sense of the word to gain an understanding from netball coaches as to how technology could be incorporated into the sport. It was later narrowed down more specifically to computer technologies. The investigation was done at the Spar National Netball Championships in 2012, where coaches were surveyed about the preparation for the tournament of the provincial teams. The surveys included questions to coaches regarding the technologies used in preparation for a national tournament. The results obtained from the coaches were used to identify the current technologies used. Interviews were conducted after the analysis of the initial results to probe into the potential use of social media as a tool to assist coaches. Based on the results of the study, a number of factors that impact on the introduction of technology in the coaching of netball were identified. The factors and basic guidelines were validated through expert focus groups. Based on the findings from the experts, the factors and guidelines were refined. It is envisaged that the findings from this research can be used to assist netball coaches in deciding how to introduce the use of information technology into the sport.

Thesis (MSpor)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

South African has experienced a decline in world netball rankings from being second in 1995 to fifth position since 2003. One of the reasons for this situation relates to the drop out of talented players, sometimes before even reaching the elite level. Secondly, the immigration of senior players to other countries is also a major concern. The aim of this research is to establish the main factors that contribute to this state of affairs by considering the sacrifices that are made by elite netball players with regard to the rewards that they obtain in return. Cohesion was also investigated to establish the impact it has on players. Management of South African elite netball was revisited to determine the effect it has on players. Possible factors that enhance participation among players were also investigated. The study was conducted by combining a quantitative with qualitative approach. The results indicated that serious attention should be given to professional management of elite netball to ensure that the rewards received counteract the sacrifices of an elite netball career. The biggest challenge in facing netball in South Africa however is the fact that netball is an amateur sport. Strategies were offered and recommendations made on how to effectively manage elite netball players in South Africa. / Prof. J. M. Uys Prof. Cora Burnett-Louw

Thesis (MMBK.)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of a six-week lateral movement training programme on selected physiological variables in netball players. Calf and thigh girth measurements, mass, body fat percentage, lateral agility, lateral flexibility, dynamic balance, heart rate and isokinetic concentric and eccentric quadriceps, hamstring, abductor and adductor muscle strength, were measured. A pre-recorded, six-week slide board training programme was followed in order to: increase calf and thigh girth measurements, decrease mass, decrease body fat percentage, increase lateral agility, increase lateral flexibility, better dynamic balance, meet the prescribed guidelines in terms of heart rate and increase the isokinetic muscle strength. The subjects (n=23) were between the ages of 18-23 years. They either played netball for the 1st or 2nd netball teams of the Maties Netball Club, or for the 1st or 2nd netball teams of the residence Nerina. They entered the study voluntarily. All of the subjects participated in the pre- and posttests. Fourteen subjects completed the six-week lateral movement training programme. Various significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between the pre- and post-test measurements: a significant decrease in body fat percentage, an increase in lateral agility, a decrease in mass, an increase in dynamic balance, an increase in concentric and eccentric abductor and adductor muscle strength, as well as an appropriate aerobic heart rate response. It was concluded that the lateral movement training programme proved to be beneficial to netball players at any level of fitness and participation. The programme provided an excellent aerobic workout, with either improvement or maintenance of the selected variables. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van die studie was om ondersoek in te stel na die invloed van In ses-weeklange laterale bewegingsoefenprogram op geselekteerde fisiologiese veranderlikes in netbal speelsters. Kuit- en bobeenomtrekmates, massa, liggaamsvetpersentasie, laterale ratsheid, laterale lenigheid, dinamiese balans, harttempo en isokinetiese konsentriese en eksentriese quadriceps-, hampeus-, abduktor- en adduktorspierkrag, is gemeet. In Vooraf opgestelde, ses-weeklange laterale oefenprogram is gevolg om: die kuit- en bobeenomtrekmates te vergroot, die massa te verminder, die liggaamsvetpersentasie te verlaag, die verbetering van laterale ratsheid, laterale lenigheid en dinamiese balans te bewerkstellig, die voorgestelde riglyne in terme van harttempo te handhaaf en om isokinetiese spierkrag te vermeerder. Die proefpersone (n=23) was tussen 18-23 jaar oud. Die proefpersone het óf vir die 1ste of 2de netbalspanne van die Maties Netbalklub gespeel, óf vir die 1ste of 2de netbal spanne van die koshuis Nerina. Hulle deelname was volkome vrywillig. Al die proefpersone het aan die pre- en post-toetse deelgeneem. Veertien proefpersone het die ses-weeklange laterale bewegingsoefenprogram voltooi. Verskeie beduidende verskille (p < 0.05) tussen die pre- en post-toetse is gevind: 'n beduidende afname in liggaamsvetpersentasie, In toename in laterale ratsheid, In afname in massa, In toename in dinamiese balans, In toename in konsentriese en eksentriese abduktor- en adduktorspierkrag, asook In ooreenstemmende harttempo reaksie. Daar is tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat die laterale bewegingsoefenprogram tot voordeel strek van netbalspeelsters op enige vlak van fiksheid en deelname. Die program bied In goeie aërobiese komponent met óf die verbetering, óf die handhawing van die geselekteerde veranderlikes.

The importance of sport psychological skills training is emphasized by the contention that the knowledge obtained through observing an athletes' behaviour within a sporting environment could be used to explain, predict and change behaviour, thereby, enhancing sport performance. Sport psychological factors are being recognized as one of the most significant contributors to sport performance. Three hundred and fourteen provincial netball players (average age = 20.30 ± 3.88 years) from 33 teams who participated in the 2004 South African Inter-Provincial Netball tournament completed the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2), Athletic Coping Skills Inventory-28 (ACSI-28) and Psychological Skills Inventory (PSI). Results from the first article revealed that this population had limited prior exposure to sport psychological skills (SPS) and sport psychological skills training (SPST) programmes in general. The skills to which these players have primarily been exposed to are self-confidence, positive self-talk, team cohesiolspirit, goal-setting and concentration skills. The players further perceive SPST to be very important and expressed a need thereof, especially since 26.43% of the players perceive their ability to be psychologically well prepared for competitions as average or below average. A comparative study between more successful and less successful groups of u/19 and u/21 netball players showed that the more successful group to have significantly better values for cognitive state anxiety (direction), state self-confidence (direction) and peaking under pressure. The more successful group obtained better results in 13 of the 19 tested variables. Eight of these variables (of which three significantly so) are able to accurately (69.44% effective) discriminate between these two groups. Collectively, the SPS levels. information on SPST and the extent to which SPS contribute to performance necessitate a collaborated effort by sport psychologists and netball coaches to develop and implement a consistent, systematic sport-specific SPST programme. / Thesis (M.A. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007

Previous and current research findings contradict each other about whether a relationship exists between Fibularis Muscle Strength and Lateral Ankle Sprain. As it stands, there is no finality about the relationship between Fibularis Muscle Strength and Lateral Ankle Sprain. Hence, this study was aimed at establishing whether a relationship exists between Fibularis Muscle Strength and Lateral Ankle Sprain amongst high school net ball players in Gauteng Northern Region. If a relationship does exist and is well understood, further research may be recommended to come up with a rehabilitation protocol that may be used to prevent Lateral Ankle Sprain. In conducting this study, a longitudinal analytical approach was adopted where subjects were observed over a four months period of high school netball season in Gauteng Northern Region. This was the best design for this study because it enabled the researcher to examine the relationship between independent variables (Height, weight, age, balance and Fibularis Muscle Strength) and the dependent variable (Lateral Ankle Sprain). 100 randomly selected high school female netball players, ranging in age from 13 to 19 years (mean ± SD = 16.5 ±1.27), who represented schools in tournaments and games participated in this study. The researcher recorded baseline measurements of Fibularis Muscle Strength, balance, demographic characteristics (age, height and weight) for each of the 100 randomly selected subjects 2 weeks before the beginning of 2009 netball season. Subjects who sustained Lateral Ankle Sprain, during the netball season, filled in injury assessment forms which were collected by the researcher on every Monday until the end of the netball season. Data was then analysed using logistic regression analyses with testing done at 0.05 level of significance. The findings from this study revealed that 5% of the subjects reported Lateral Ankle Sprain. Balance and age were significantly associated with lateral ankle sprain (p<0.05) while Fibularis Muscle Strength, weight and height were not (p>0.05). Therefore, there was no relationship between Fibularis Muscle Strength and Lateral Ankle Sprain. Furthermore, Age and balance were identified as predictors of lateral ankle sprain.