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.

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

Thesis (M Sport Sc (Sport Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of a customised training programme on the physical components of first league netball players. The key physical variables that affect netball performance were identified as aerobic fitness, anaerobic fitness, power, muscle strength, flexibility, speed, agility, and muscle endurance. The fitness tests and norms used in this study were mainly based on the Australian protocol, “Physiological Tests for the Assessment of Netball Players”. Two netball clubs in the Boland participated in this study. These two teams played in the same netball league, but they were not matched in any other way. The experimental group (n=14) followed the customised training programme, while the control group (n=16) followed their normal training sessions. After baseline testing, the experimental group completed 23 training sessions in which specific aspects of netball fitness were addressed. After 16 weeks, both groups repeated all the tests. Through statistical analysis, the effect of the training programme was determined, and the differences between the experimental and control groups were quantified. Results of the study revealed the following: 1. The experimental group was statistically significantly better in all the fitness tests during baseline testing, compared to the control group. 2. Power improved significantly through this customised training programme. 3. Although only a few variables changed significantly after the training programme, the experimental group did perform better in most fitness tests after the programme. This study shows that a customised training programme has the potential to improve certain aspects of a netball player’s fitness. The programme should, however, be longer and more sport-specific to produce the desired results. Top netball players should rely on not only their netball skills to be successful, but should also develop their physical capacities optimally.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Mental skills are critical to the development of a positive mind-set in the athlete in order to develop the ability to concentrate more, focus attention, manage arousal, develop self-esteem and thereby enhance self-confidence in competitive sport. This study was an exploratory study to investigate how well Zimbabwean inter-collegiate athletes were prepared mentally and how this was handled during their participation in inter-collegiate games. The study focused specifically on just one group of athletes, netballers.