Background: Rugby injuries are a common phenomenon. The aim of medical professionals is to treat these injuries to the best of their abilities, and if possible, to help prevent their occurrence. Bahr and Holme (2003) argue that sports participation carries with it a risk of injury, with the even more weighty issue that it might later even lead to physical disability. Junge, Cheung, Edwards and Dvorak (2004) recommends the development and implementation of preventative interventions to reduce the rate and severity of injuries in Rugby Union. The Medical and Risk Management Committee of USA Rugby (2003) also reports that the key to preventing injuries in any sport is identifying and addressing the risk factor associated with it. Various studies have identified weakness in plyometric strength, proprioception arid balance as - of lower leg and ankle injuries (Margison, Rowlands, Gleeson arid Eston, 2005; Stasiwpoulos, 2004; Verhagen, Van der Beck, Twisk, Bahr and Mechelen, 2004; Baltaci & Kohl, 2003; Mlophy, Conaoly and Beynnon, 2003; Moss, 2002; Anderson). Aims: ThE aim of this study was to investigate the influence of proprioception, balance and plyometric strength on the occurrence of lower leg injuries in schoolboy rugby players. A further aim was to develop a preventative training programme to address these variables, should they prove to have an influence on lower leg injuries. The possible inclusion of these tests in talent identification test batteries will also be examined. Design: A prospective cohort study. Subjects: A group of 240 schoolboys in U/14, U/15, U/16 and U/18 age groups in two schools (Hoër Volkskool Potchefstroom ("Volkskool") and Potchefstroom Boys High School ("Boys High")) in the North West Province of South Africa was used as the test cohort. Method: At the beginning of the 2006 rugby season all players were tested for proprioception, balance and plyometric strength. These tests were conducted using a computerised tilt board for proprioceptive testing; Star Excursion Balance Test for Balance and an electronic timing mat for plyometric strength. During the season, weekly injury clinics were held at both schools to document all injuries that occurred following the preceding weekend's matches. A statistical analysis was done on all the data collected from the test batteries and injury clinics. Descriptive statistics (means, standard deviation, minimum and maximum) were used as well as practical significant differences (d-values) (Cohen, 1988). The ratios for left and right leg plyometric strength to bilateral plyometric strength (L+R/Bil) and individual left and right leg plyometric strength to bilateral plyometric strength (L/Bil and R/Bil) were also calculated. Results: A profile of proprioception, balance and plyometric strength was compiled for schoolboy rugby players using the test data The U/18 players generally bad the best test results of all the age groups, outperforming U/14, U/15 and U/16 players with most tests. U/15 players outperformed both U/14 and U/16 players. Backline players performed better than loose forwards and forwards in plyometric tests in most age groups. Loose-forwards also outperformed tight-forwards with plyometrics at most age groups. At U/15 and U/16 level, tight-forwards slightly outperformed loose-forwards with Star Excursion Balance Tests. Generally, A-teams performed better than B-teams with all the tests except L+R/Bil; L/Bil and R/BiI. The difference between the teams, however, only had a small to medium effect and cannot be considered practically significant. At U/14 and U/15 levels, there were more practically significant differences between the A- and B-teams, with A-teams outperforming B-teams. The tests could have some value for talent identification at this age level. A rugby epidemiological study was done on the data collected in the weekly injury clinics. This study recorded 54 injuries at the two schools involved during the 2006 season from April to July. Two hundred and forty players were involved in 10890 hours of play. Eight thousand nine hundred and ten of these player hours were practices and 1980 were match hours. These injuries occurred at a prevalence rate of 4.96/1000 player hours. Match injuries accounted for 77.78% of all injuries with training sessions resulting in the remaining 22.22% of injuries, with a match injury rate of 1 injury per individual player every 3.14 matches. U/14 players showed an overall match injury rate of 11.11/1000 match hours. U/15 players showed a rate of 2.47/1000 match hours. The low rate may be attributed to underreporting of injuries by the U/15 players. U/16 players showed a late of 22.33/1000 hours, while U/18 players showed an exceptionally high rate of 45/1000 match hours. The tackle situation was responsible for the highest percentage of injuries (57.14%). Boys High presented with more injuries (57.4%) than Volkskool at a higher prevalence rate (5.60/1000 player hours). In a positional group comparison, backline players presented with 51.85% of injuries. Since backline players only present 46.7% of players in a team, this shows that backline players have a higher risk of injury. A-team players presented with 66.6% of injuries at a prevalence rate of 6.37/1000 player hours. B-team players had an injury rate of 3.43/1000 player hours. The test values for the players suffering lower leg injuries were compared to those for uninjured players. There were eight players with nine lower leg injuries: one player had injuries of both legs. Six of the injuries were intrinsic of nature and two players had extrinsic injuries. Test values for all five tested players with intrinsic injuries were weaker by a high practically significant margin for the L+R/Bil ratio. Conclusion: L+R/Bil proved to be the test result with the most influence on the occurrence of intrinsic lower leg injuries. When the individual test results for the players with intrinsic injuries are compared to the percentiles for all players, it becomes visible that the injured players fall in the 20th percentile for both L+R/Bil and Injured leg/Bil ratios. These 20th percentile values could thus be used as a standard for determining the possible occurrence of intrinsic lower leg injuries. These 20th percentile values are 1.012 for R+L/Bil ratios; 0.483 for L/Bil ratios and 0.492 for R/Bil ratios. This study shows that plyometric ratios for L+R/Bii, L/Bil and R/Bil have an influence on lower leg injuries in schoolboy rugby players. Proprioception and balance did not have any practically significant effects on the occurrence of these injuries. A preventative training programme was also designed following a study of the literature, combined with these results. The tests could also possibly be integrated in talent identification test batteries at U/14 and U/15 level. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007

Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

Aims: The primary physiotherapeutic aims of the study were to validate a manual physiotherapy evaluation technique in the assessment of cervical biomechanical dysfunction, and to test the effectiveness of a manual physiotherapy treatment technique in the correction of cervical biomechanical dysfunction. The primary educational aims were to test the effectiveness and safety of a therapeutic exercise programme for the correction of biomechanical dysfunction as well as the effectiveness of a neck rehabilitation programme for improving neck muscle strength. Design: A four group experimental design with three pre-test - post-test groups and a control group was used for the investigation. Sample: The subjects were South African schoolboy rugby players between the ages of 15 and 18 years. Groups I and 2 presented with biomechanical dysfunction of their cervical spines, Group 3 had no biomechanical dysfunction of their cervical spines and the players of Group 4, the control group, presented with or without biomechanical dysfunction of their cervical spines. Each group consisted of 25 players. Method: Group I received manual physiotherapy with x-rays before and after treatment. Groups 2 and 3 performed a therapeutic exercise programme, with before and after x-rays, and Group 4 received no intervention between their sets of x-rays. Following the second set of x-rays all the players from Groups I, 2 and 3 performed the neck rehabilitation programme after which a third set of x-rays were taken. Results: The results validated the manual physiotherapy evaluation technique. The manual therapy treatment technique used in the treatment of Group I showed highly significant improvements in cervical biomechanical function. Results for Group 2 following the therapeutic exercise programme showed moderate practically significant improvements in cervical biomechanical dysfunction. The therapeutic exercise programme for the correction of biomechanical dysfunction was found to be very safe with only small significant changes in x-ray measurements (Group 3). The results of the control group showed a negative trend of small statistical significance. A highly significant improvement in cervical circumference as moderate significant improvement in biomechanical function was found following the neck rehabilitation programme. Conclusion: It could therefore be concluded that the manual physiotherapy evaluation technique for motion segment analysis was indeed valid in determining biomechanical dysfunction of the cervical spine. The manual physiotherapy treatment technique as well as the therapeutic exercise programme for the correction of biomechanical dysfunction was found to be effective in the correction of cervical biomechanical dysfunction. It could further be concluded that the therapeutic exercise programme was safe to be performed by players without biomechanical dysfunction. The neck rehabilitation programme was effective in improving cervical circumference as well as cervical biomechanical function. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

Aims: The primary physiotherapeutic aims of the study were to validate a manual physiotherapy evaluation technique in the assessment of cervical biomechanical dysfunction, and to test the effectiveness of a manual physiotherapy treatment technique in the correction of cervical biomechanical dysfunction. The primary educational aims were to test the effectiveness and safety of a therapeutic exercise programme for the correction of biomechanical dysfunction as well as the effectiveness of a neck rehabilitation programme for improving neck muscle strength. Design: A four group experimental design with three pre-test - post-test groups and a control group was used for the investigation. Sample: The subjects were South African schoolboy rugby players between the ages of 15 and 18 years. Groups I and 2 presented with biomechanical dysfunction of their cervical spines, Group 3 had no biomechanical dysfunction of their cervical spines and the players of Group 4, the control group, presented with or without biomechanical dysfunction of their cervical spines. Each group consisted of 25 players. Method: Group I received manual physiotherapy with x-rays before and after treatment. Groups 2 and 3 performed a therapeutic exercise programme, with before and after x-rays, and Group 4 received no intervention between their sets of x-rays. Following the second set of x-rays all the players from Groups I, 2 and 3 performed the neck rehabilitation programme after which a third set of x-rays were taken. Results: The results validated the manual physiotherapy evaluation technique. The manual therapy treatment technique used in the treatment of Group I showed highly significant improvements in cervical biomechanical function. Results for Group 2 following the therapeutic exercise programme showed moderate practically significant improvements in cervical biomechanical dysfunction. The therapeutic exercise programme for the correction of biomechanical dysfunction was found to be very safe with only small significant changes in x-ray measurements (Group 3). The results of the control group showed a negative trend of small statistical significance. A highly significant improvement in cervical circumference as moderate significant improvement in biomechanical function was found following the neck rehabilitation programme. Conclusion: It could therefore be concluded that the manual physiotherapy evaluation technique for motion segment analysis was indeed valid in determining biomechanical dysfunction of the cervical spine. The manual physiotherapy treatment technique as well as the therapeutic exercise programme for the correction of biomechanical dysfunction was found to be effective in the correction of cervical biomechanical dysfunction. It could further be concluded that the therapeutic exercise programme was safe to be performed by players without biomechanical dysfunction. The neck rehabilitation programme was effective in improving cervical circumference as well as cervical biomechanical function. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

Background: Rugby injuries are a common phenomenon. The aim of medical professionals is to treat these injuries to the best of their abilities, and if possible, to help prevent their occurrence. Bahr and Holme (2003) argue that sports participation carries with it a risk of injury, with the even more weighty issue that it might later even lead to physical disability. Junge, Cheung, Edwards and Dvorak (2004) recommends the development and implementation of preventative interventions to reduce the rate and severity of injuries in Rugby Union. The Medical and Risk Management Committee of USA Rugby (2003) also reports that the key to preventing injuries in any sport is identifying and addressing the risk factor associated with it. Various studies have identified weakness in plyometric strength, proprioception arid balance as - of lower leg and ankle injuries (Margison, Rowlands, Gleeson arid Eston, 2005; Stasiwpoulos, 2004; Verhagen, Van der Beck, Twisk, Bahr and Mechelen, 2004; Baltaci & Kohl, 2003; Mlophy, Conaoly and Beynnon, 2003; Moss, 2002; Anderson). Aims: ThE aim of this study was to investigate the influence of proprioception, balance and plyometric strength on the occurrence of lower leg injuries in schoolboy rugby players. A further aim was to develop a preventative training programme to address these variables, should they prove to have an influence on lower leg injuries. The possible inclusion of these tests in talent identification test batteries will also be examined. Design: A prospective cohort study. Subjects: A group of 240 schoolboys in U/14, U/15, U/16 and U/18 age groups in two schools (Hoër Volkskool Potchefstroom ("Volkskool") and Potchefstroom Boys High School ("Boys High")) in the North West Province of South Africa was used as the test cohort. Method: At the beginning of the 2006 rugby season all players were tested for proprioception, balance and plyometric strength. These tests were conducted using a computerised tilt board for proprioceptive testing; Star Excursion Balance Test for Balance and an electronic timing mat for plyometric strength. During the season, weekly injury clinics were held at both schools to document all injuries that occurred following the preceding weekend's matches. A statistical analysis was done on all the data collected from the test batteries and injury clinics. Descriptive statistics (means, standard deviation, minimum and maximum) were used as well as practical significant differences (d-values) (Cohen, 1988). The ratios for left and right leg plyometric strength to bilateral plyometric strength (L+R/Bil) and individual left and right leg plyometric strength to bilateral plyometric strength (L/Bil and R/Bil) were also calculated. Results: A profile of proprioception, balance and plyometric strength was compiled for schoolboy rugby players using the test data The U/18 players generally bad the best test results of all the age groups, outperforming U/14, U/15 and U/16 players with most tests. U/15 players outperformed both U/14 and U/16 players. Backline players performed better than loose forwards and forwards in plyometric tests in most age groups. Loose-forwards also outperformed tight-forwards with plyometrics at most age groups. At U/15 and U/16 level, tight-forwards slightly outperformed loose-forwards with Star Excursion Balance Tests. Generally, A-teams performed better than B-teams with all the tests except L+R/Bil; L/Bil and R/BiI. The difference between the teams, however, only had a small to medium effect and cannot be considered practically significant. At U/14 and U/15 levels, there were more practically significant differences between the A- and B-teams, with A-teams outperforming B-teams. The tests could have some value for talent identification at this age level. A rugby epidemiological study was done on the data collected in the weekly injury clinics. This study recorded 54 injuries at the two schools involved during the 2006 season from April to July. Two hundred and forty players were involved in 10890 hours of play. Eight thousand nine hundred and ten of these player hours were practices and 1980 were match hours. These injuries occurred at a prevalence rate of 4.96/1000 player hours. Match injuries accounted for 77.78% of all injuries with training sessions resulting in the remaining 22.22% of injuries, with a match injury rate of 1 injury per individual player every 3.14 matches. U/14 players showed an overall match injury rate of 11.11/1000 match hours. U/15 players showed a rate of 2.47/1000 match hours. The low rate may be attributed to underreporting of injuries by the U/15 players. U/16 players showed a late of 22.33/1000 hours, while U/18 players showed an exceptionally high rate of 45/1000 match hours. The tackle situation was responsible for the highest percentage of injuries (57.14%). Boys High presented with more injuries (57.4%) than Volkskool at a higher prevalence rate (5.60/1000 player hours). In a positional group comparison, backline players presented with 51.85% of injuries. Since backline players only present 46.7% of players in a team, this shows that backline players have a higher risk of injury. A-team players presented with 66.6% of injuries at a prevalence rate of 6.37/1000 player hours. B-team players had an injury rate of 3.43/1000 player hours. The test values for the players suffering lower leg injuries were compared to those for uninjured players. There were eight players with nine lower leg injuries: one player had injuries of both legs. Six of the injuries were intrinsic of nature and two players had extrinsic injuries. Test values for all five tested players with intrinsic injuries were weaker by a high practically significant margin for the L+R/Bil ratio. Conclusion: L+R/Bil proved to be the test result with the most influence on the occurrence of intrinsic lower leg injuries. When the individual test results for the players with intrinsic injuries are compared to the percentiles for all players, it becomes visible that the injured players fall in the 20th percentile for both L+R/Bil and Injured leg/Bil ratios. These 20th percentile values could thus be used as a standard for determining the possible occurrence of intrinsic lower leg injuries. These 20th percentile values are 1.012 for R+L/Bil ratios; 0.483 for L/Bil ratios and 0.492 for R/Bil ratios. This study shows that plyometric ratios for L+R/Bii, L/Bil and R/Bil have an influence on lower leg injuries in schoolboy rugby players. Proprioception and balance did not have any practically significant effects on the occurrence of these injuries. A preventative training programme was also designed following a study of the literature, combined with these results. The tests could also possibly be integrated in talent identification test batteries at U/14 and U/15 level. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007

This thesis contends that the contemporary phenomenon of youth football is the fruit of a variety of historical developments over the twentieth century. The manner in which the junior game evolved as an independent subset of the sport in France and America was certainly exemplary of the idiosyncrasies of national sporting culture, football in particular, the general timeline of each country as well as the place of 'youth' in wider society. The present study aims to expand the understanding of the game of football, specifically the youth sector, through a transnational line of enquiry covering the period from circa 1920 to circa 2000. The thesis structure is broadly thematic and chronological. This comparative approach attempts to remain coherent across both countries with a goal of outlining the core issues and major shifts which occurred over the chosen period. Youth football underwent a process of demarcation from the adult or elite game but maintained and furthered specific mechanisms linking the two across sporting, educational, and professional bridges. With the decade of the 1970s serving as a turning point, the youth level achieved a sort of independence while being inextricably fused to the top level. The essence of the growing separation of the youth from the senior level rested on the fundamental notion of 'age' as opposed to 'ability'. The organisation of football around this concept of 'age', and the resulting limitation of participation, provided a basis for 'junior' football as a distinct entity by the last quarter of the twentieth century. Subsequent divisions extended the differences between age categories and created a full competitive youth spectrum for younger and younger players. The game was, as a result, 'juvenilized'. The registration of players and the competitions for which this registration was so important reflected the relevance of 'age'. Throughout this process, though in different ways and at different speeds in the two countries studied, the youth game was drawn away from its roots in the school and as a pillar of the world of education. After the initial interwar and post-war eras, youth football moved toward the worlds of the club and association. This specialisation of the game was also evident in the rules and the equipment, all of which were progressively adapted for a more pedagogically correct, and perhaps commercially oriented, fit. While the youth game separated from the adult footballing world through age classification, distinct competitive spaces, adapted rules and equipment, that expanding gulf was continually bridged in various ways in order to maintain, develop, and create new links between these two increasingly distinct sectors of the sport. The link with the elite and the professional levels was certainly not new, but from the 1970s onwards it was solidified over time and the relationship grew closer as education moved farther away or, at the least, took a back seat to 'professional training'. By the close of the twentieth century, this ultimately placed the youth game as distinct from the adult game. Yet, somewhat contradictorily, it was closer than ever to the elite professional domain. As subject to international, professional and commercial forces, the youth game was fused to elite football. These three forces pulled youth football away from their uniquely national idioms and towards a more globalized arena. Harmonizing the experience across national boundaries, a blend of educational, sporting and professional bridges ensured and furthered the connection between the youth and the adult elite player. From the late nineteenth century's amateur world view - where football and sport were idealized as a means for development of the human being or the vehicle for the transmission of elite social values - the effects of professionalization turned football into an end in itself as a legitimate career. From child's play to a real métier. By the end of the twentieth century, the youth game stood confidently with one foot in each world.

Background: The negative side of rugby participation is the danger it presents to health in the form of injuries. Most school coaches, advocates of talent development and selectors put a high priority on implementing programmes to develop bigger, stronger, faster and more skilful rugby players who can excel at their sport. These programmes however, do not place enough emphasis on the prevention of injuries. Aims: The primary aim of the study was to determine the effect of an approved injury prevention programme on the incidence (injuries per 1000 player hours) of n~gbyin juries (overall, intrinsic and extrinsic injuries) of 15- and 16 year-old schoolboys, over a two-year period. A further aim was to measure the effect of an approved injury prevention programme on the selected anthropometric, physical and motor and biomechanical and postural variables of all the groups involved in this study over a period of two years. Originating from these aims, a sub-aim of this study was to use information from this study to provide modifications - if necessary - to the current prevention programme in order for it to be effectively applied at high-school rugby level. Design: A non-equivalent experimental-control group design with multiple post-tests was used for the investigation. Subjects: The subjects were 120 schoolboy rugby players. The subjects came from two secondary schools in the North West province of South Africa. Both schools were schools wit11 a tradition of excellence in rugby. Players who participated in the experimental injury prevention programme were the year 2004, 15- and 16-year old elite A teams. The B teams acted as controls. Method: Players were tested over a two-year period. During each of the two years there were three testing occasions where all players were tested: pre-season, during the mid-season break and at the end of the season. The results of these tests were used to monitor changes in anthropometric, physical and motor and biomechanical and postural variables in various stages of the training programme. At the end of every evaluation, deficits were identified in the performance of all players in the experimental group and the prevention programmes were planned accordingly. Players in the experimental group received exercises to address the specific deficits identified. Rugby injuries were screened and injury data collected through the use of weekly sports. medical clinics. Results: Differences and changes in extrinsic injury incidences in this study could not be attributed to the effect of the prevention programme, and as a result injury trends related to overall injury incidences were inconsistent when the experimental groups were compared to the matching control groups. However, the prevention programme did have a positive effect on the intrinsic injury incidence of both experimental groups during the study period. The following moderate or highly practically significant anthropometric changes occurred when inter-group comparisons for the two year period were considered: triceps skinfold (d=0.8 among 16-year olds), subscapular skinfold (d=0.5 among 16-year olds, midaxillary skinfold (d=1.3 among 15-year olds), calf skinfold (d=1.3 among 16-year olds), humerus breadth (d=1.4 among 15-year olds), femur breadth (d=0.5 among 15-year olds), fat percentage (d=0.5 among 16-year olds) and mesomorphy (d=1.3 among 15-year olds). However, these anthropometric changes may be due to other factors, such as the natural growth phase of boys, rather than the effect of the prevention programme. During the inter-group comparisons of physical and motor components, moderately or highly practically significant improvements were recorded in the vertical jump (d=0.8 for 15-year olds and d=1.5 for 16year olds), bleep (d=0.7 for 16-year olds), pull-ups (d=0.6 for 15-year olds) and push-up tests (d=1.5 for 15-year olds and d=1.1 for 16 year-olds) of the experimental groups considering the total two year period. From the results it was clear that in practice, the prevention programme significantly improved only four of the 11 physical and motor components over the two-year period and that these improvements often occurred in only one of the age groups involved. The inter-group comparison of biomechanical and postural variables revealed numerous moderately and highly practically significant improvements in both age groups. over the total two-year period. All in all the prevention p r o v e provided the experimental groups with a more balanced (closer to ideal) dynamic mobility, core stability and postural symmetry. Conclusion: It could be concluded that the present prevention programme did not have a practically significant effect on the incidence of overall rugby injuries and extrinsic rugby injuries of 15- and 16-year old schoolboys over a two-year period. However, in practice, the prevention programme did have a significantly positive effect on the incidence of intrinsic rugby injuries of 15- and 16-year old schoolboys over a period of two years. It could be concluded that the prevention programme did not have a practically significant effect on the anthropometric components of 15- and 16-year old schoolboys over a two-year period. Seeing that the prevention programme had a moderately or highly practically significantly effect on only four of 11 physical-and-motor components over the two-year period, and that these improvements often occurred in only one of the age groups involved, it could be concluded that the prevention programme did not significantly affect the physical and motor variables of 15- and 16-year old schoolboys over a two-year period. Finally the conclusion could be drawn that in practice the prevention programme significantly improved the biomechanical and postural variables over a period of two years. This improvement in biomechanical and postural status may be responsible for the decrease in intrinsic injury incidence. Information from this study was used to provide modifications to the tested prevention programme in order for it to be effectively applied at high school rugby level. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Movement Science Education))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006

Thesis (Ph.D. (Movement Science Education))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

Mokinio statuso įtaka profesijos pasirinkimui Analizuojant individų tarpusavio santykių pobūdį ir ypatumus, vartojama statuso sąvoka. Statusas - pasirinkimų pagal tam tikrus kriterijus įvairioms veiklos sritims skaičius, tenkantis vienam klasės mokiniui. Statusas atskleidžia grupės nario padėtį grupės santykių sistemoje kitų grupės narių požiūriu. Magistro darbe bus nagrinėjamas moksleivių socialinis statusas kaip veiksnys; sąlygojantis raišką bendruomenėje bei veiksniai, lemiantys mokinio statusą, apžvelgiama statuso svarba asmenybės ugdymui(si), savęs vertinimui ir profesijos pasirinkimui. Šiame darbe bus tiriamas profesijos pasirinkimas vadybiniu aspektu, nagrinėjama profesijos pasirinkimo problematika bei pateikiama mokinio statuso ryšio su profesijos pasirinkimu įžvalga. Tyrimo objektas - moksleivių statuso įtaka profesijos pasirinkimui. Tyrimo tikslas - ištirti mokinių statuso reikšmę pasirenkant profesiją. Šis tikslas realizuotas sprendžiant tyrimo šiuos uždavinius: 1. Teoriškai pagrįsti moksleivio statuso įtaką jo asmenybės ugdymui(si). 2. Išanalizuoti profesijos pasirinkimą lemiančius veiksnius. 3. Ištirti moksleivių statuso sąsajas su profesijos pasirinkimu. Tyrimo metodologija. Pirmajame etape taikomi metodai: literatūros, mokslinių publikacijų analizė. Antrajame etape atsižvelgiant į tyrimo tipą ir sprendžiant iškeltus uždavinius, naudojami šie tyrimų metodai: sociometrinis testas bei anketinė apklausa. Trečiame etape - tyrimo duomenų apdorojimas... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The analysis of the character and peculiarities of interrelations among individuals involves the concept of status. Status – is a number of choices made according to certain criteria done for various areas of activities falling for one pupil of a class, or status – the position of a group member in the system of group relations in terms and attitudes of other group members. The master thesis addresses social status of pupils as a factor determining expression in community and the factors determining the status of a pupil, makes an overview of the importance of status for personality (self) education, self-esteem and the selection of a profession. The thesis will analyze the choice of a profession as a managerial dimension, will analyze the topic of profession choice and will attempt to get an insight into the connection of pupil’s status and the selection of a profession. The object of the research is the influence of a pupil’s status on the selection of a profession. The aim of the research is to analyze the importance of a pupil’s status when choosing a profession. The aim has been met by solving the following objects of the research: 1. To reason theoretically the influence of a pupil’s status on the (self) education of his/her personality. 2. To analyze the factors determining the selection of a profession. 3. To analyze the connection of pupils’ status and the selection of a profession. The research methodology. The methods applied in the first stage are as follows:... [to full text]

Background: The negative side of rugby participation is the danger it presents to health in the form of injuries. Most school coaches, advocates of talent development and selectors put a high priority on implementing programmes to develop bigger, stronger, faster and more skilful rugby players who can excel at their sport. These programmes however, do not place enough emphasis on the prevention of injuries. Aims: The primary aim of the study was to determine the effect of an approved injury prevention programme on the incidence (injuries per 1000 player hours) of n~gbyin juries (overall, intrinsic and extrinsic injuries) of 15- and 16 year-old schoolboys, over a two-year period. A further aim was to measure the effect of an approved injury prevention programme on the selected anthropometric, physical and motor and biomechanical and postural variables of all the groups involved in this study over a period of two years. Originating from these aims, a sub-aim of this study was to use information from this study to provide modifications - if necessary - to the current prevention programme in order for it to be effectively applied at high-school rugby level. Design: A non-equivalent experimental-control group design with multiple post-tests was used for the investigation. Subjects: The subjects were 120 schoolboy rugby players. The subjects came from two secondary schools in the North West province of South Africa. Both schools were schools wit11 a tradition of excellence in rugby. Players who participated in the experimental injury prevention programme were the year 2004, 15- and 16-year old elite A teams. The B teams acted as controls. Method: Players were tested over a two-year period. During each of the two years there were three testing occasions where all players were tested: pre-season, during the mid-season break and at the end of the season. The results of these tests were used to monitor changes in anthropometric, physical and motor and biomechanical and postural variables in various stages of the training programme. At the end of every evaluation, deficits were identified in the performance of all players in the experimental group and the prevention programmes were planned accordingly. Players in the experimental group received exercises to address the specific deficits identified. Rugby injuries were screened and injury data collected through the use of weekly sports. medical clinics. Results: Differences and changes in extrinsic injury incidences in this study could not be attributed to the effect of the prevention programme, and as a result injury trends related to overall injury incidences were inconsistent when the experimental groups were compared to the matching control groups. However, the prevention programme did have a positive effect on the intrinsic injury incidence of both experimental groups during the study period. The following moderate or highly practically significant anthropometric changes occurred when inter-group comparisons for the two year period were considered: triceps skinfold (d=0.8 among 16-year olds), subscapular skinfold (d=0.5 among 16-year olds, midaxillary skinfold (d=1.3 among 15-year olds), calf skinfold (d=1.3 among 16-year olds), humerus breadth (d=1.4 among 15-year olds), femur breadth (d=0.5 among 15-year olds), fat percentage (d=0.5 among 16-year olds) and mesomorphy (d=1.3 among 15-year olds). However, these anthropometric changes may be due to other factors, such as the natural growth phase of boys, rather than the effect of the prevention programme. During the inter-group comparisons of physical and motor components, moderately or highly practically significant improvements were recorded in the vertical jump (d=0.8 for 15-year olds and d=1.5 for 16year olds), bleep (d=0.7 for 16-year olds), pull-ups (d=0.6 for 15-year olds) and push-up tests (d=1.5 for 15-year olds and d=1.1 for 16 year-olds) of the experimental groups considering the total two year period. From the results it was clear that in practice, the prevention programme significantly improved only four of the 11 physical and motor components over the two-year period and that these improvements often occurred in only one of the age groups involved. The inter-group comparison of biomechanical and postural variables revealed numerous moderately and highly practically significant improvements in both age groups. over the total two-year period. All in all the prevention p r o v e provided the experimental groups with a more balanced (closer to ideal) dynamic mobility, core stability and postural symmetry. Conclusion: It could be concluded that the present prevention programme did not have a practically significant effect on the incidence of overall rugby injuries and extrinsic rugby injuries of 15- and 16-year old schoolboys over a two-year period. However, in practice, the prevention programme did have a significantly positive effect on the incidence of intrinsic rugby injuries of 15- and 16-year old schoolboys over a period of two years. It could be concluded that the prevention programme did not have a practically significant effect on the anthropometric components of 15- and 16-year old schoolboys over a two-year period. Seeing that the prevention programme had a moderately or highly practically significantly effect on only four of 11 physical-and-motor components over the two-year period, and that these improvements often occurred in only one of the age groups involved, it could be concluded that the prevention programme did not significantly affect the physical and motor variables of 15- and 16-year old schoolboys over a two-year period. Finally the conclusion could be drawn that in practice the prevention programme significantly improved the biomechanical and postural variables over a period of two years. This improvement in biomechanical and postural status may be responsible for the decrease in intrinsic injury incidence. Information from this study was used to provide modifications to the tested prevention programme in order for it to be effectively applied at high school rugby level. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Movement Science Education))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006