A Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of arts of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Arts (Research Psychology). / This study sought to investigate the incidence and severity of disruptions of cognitive functioning in children following exposure to soccer play. (Abbreviation abstract) / Andrew Chakane 2019

Due to the lack of morphological data on prepubertal Indian male soccer players in South Africa, this study was undertaken on ninety male prepubertal subjects. The subjects were divided into three groups of thirty subjects each: Experienced "E" (those playing organized soccer for more than two years), beginners "8" (those playing organized soccer for less than two years) and sedentary "S" (those not participating in organized soccer). All subjects were measured according to Heath - Carter anthropometric somatotype methods. Fitness tests comprising power and strength tests (vertical jump height and standing broad jump) and muscle endurance tests (push - ups and sit - ups) were also done. The three groups were first compared to each other and then to available international data. There were no statistical differences among the three groups for: height, weight, age, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac, calf and total skinfolds, humerus and biceps girth, ectomorphy, mesomorphy and endomorphy, suggesting a general homogenicity between groups. For fitness tests the "E" group performed significantly better than the others for standing broad jump and sit - ups (p = 0.005 and p = 0.036 respectively). For push - ups the "8" and "E" were significantly better than the "S" group, (p = 0.013, for "8" versus "S" group), indicating that in soccer muscle strength and explosive strength are important. The lack of difference between the groups for anthropometric criteria in this study may be explained by the experienced players' inadequate training. Other factors may include the lack of parental involvement, inadequate knowledge on fitness aspects and poor training methods. Furthermore, the sedentary group may be participating in unorganized activities which renders them at a level similar to the experienced group. Data on non - Indian South African junior players is required to help us understand the lack of significant Indian talent in the National team. Other factors such as diet, cultural differences, training methods, level of coaching, environmental factors and sport facilities need investigation and be addressed if we want to see an improvement in the South African Indian soccer players. / Thesis (M.Med.Sc.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1997.

The primary aim of this study was to investigate the seasonal changes that occur in the anthropometric, physical and motor characteristics of elite junior soccer players over the course of a training year. The participants targeted were elite soccer players from the NMMU-FCK Soccer School of Excellence and a total of 18 players between the ages of 15 to 18 years were recruited to comprise the sample for the study. The participants in the sample were assessed on four separate occasions. Each testing period was separated by a three month interval with the first testing period taking place in June 2005, at the start of their pre-season period, and the last testing session taking place in March of the following year, at the end of their playing season. In order to determine which specific characteristics of soccer were to be tested, the relevant literature was reviewed to establish the requirements, attributes and indicators of success in elite soccer. Therefore the test battery used was compiled in an attempt to address each of the identified physical attributes that contributes to successful soccer play. The battery included the following tests: weight, height and percentage body fat to represent the anthropometric characteristics. The physical characteristics were assessed by testing flexibility, anaerobic speed endurance, aerobic endurance, and muscular strength tests (1 RM bench and leg press, grip strength, and isokinetic knee strength). The motor assessments comprised of tests for speed (10-m, 20-m, and 40-m), explosive leg power (vertical jump), agility, and soccer-specific tests (dribbling and shooting at goal). In addition maturity status during the study was assessed using grip strength and height scores. All of the participants within the study sample were assessed on each day of the testing period, in alphabetical order, and this order was maintained during each testing period. Each of the four testing sessions lasted three days. On entering the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University-Biokinetics and Sport Science Centre (NMMU-BSSC) laboratory on day 1, the participants completed the test battery in the following order: anthropometric measurements (weight, height, skinfolds), flexibility test (sit and reach), leg power test (vertical jump), muscular strength tests (1RM bench press, 1RM leg press, grip strength), and an aerobic endurance test (Multi-Stage Shuttle Run). The tests conducted on day 2 of the test battery were conducted as field tests at the NMMU-FCK soccer playing fields and the participants completed the tests in the same alphabetical order as day 1. The testing battery was conducted in the following order: speed tests (10m, 20m, and 40m sprinting), agility test (Illinois agility run), soccer-specific tests (dribbling and accuracy tests), speed endurance test (Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test). Testing on day 3 consisted of Isokinetic dynamometry strength testing and was conducted at the NMMU-BSSC. Each participant completed the testing protocol according to the same alphabetical order as was used on days 1 and 2. In order to achieve the aim of the study, the following objectives were set: to determine the anthropometric, physical and motor characteristics of the participants at the pre-season, start of season, mid-season and end of season stages of the training year and to identify the peak scores achieved for each variable tested; to compare the variables tested at each of the four testing sessions to determine the progression of each variable tested and to identify at which testing session peak performance related fitness was achieved; to compare the results obtained with relevant data from other research literature; and to monitor the maturation status of the participants. Based on the results achieved it can be concluded that the participants achieved peak physical fitness at the mid-season period (testing session 3). It would appear that the attainment of these results was determined by the participants being exposed to both a pre-season and an in-season training period. It seems that both the completion of the specific types of training that occurred during these two periods, as well as the competitive matches played, elevated the participants physical fitness to the levels required for success at the elite level.

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master of Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2014. / Background: Poor balance is a risk factor for injury in adolescent sport including soccer. Despite the rapid growth in female adolescent soccer especially in South Africa, the association between balance and injury in this population has not been fully explored. This study aimed to determine the relationship between injury and balance. Static and dynamic balance was monitored as sway index (SI) and limits of stability direction control (LOSDC). Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the body mass index of adolescent female soccer players; to determine the prevalence of injury in adolescent female soccer players; to determine static balance as revealed by the sway index (SI); to determine dynamic stability as revealed by limits of stability direction control (LOSDC) and to correlate body mass index (BMI) to sway index and limits of stability. Method: Eighty adolescent female soccer players, between the ages of fourteen and eighteen, were recruited through convenience sampling from schools in the eThekwini district of KwaZulu-Natal. After obtaining informed consent and assent, participants completed questionnaires and were scheduled for the balance and BMI assessments. The objective data for each participant consisted of height, weight, Sway Index (SI) and Limits of Stability Direction Control (LOSDC) readings, measured using a stadiometer, electronic scale and Biodex Biosway Balance System (Biodex Medical Systems Inc., Shirley, New York) respectively. The subjective and objective data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0 (SPSS Inc. Chicago, Ill, USA). Statistical tests included descriptive statistics using frequency and cross-tabulation. Inferential statistics using t-tests and Pearson’s correlations at a significance level of 0.05 was also incorporated. The testing of hypotheses was performed using Fisher’s Exact tests for nominal data and ordinal data. A p value of < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. The statistical analysis also included Odds Ratio calculations. Results: The mean body mass index of the injured participants was 23.54±3.56 kg/m2 and the mean body mass index of the uninjured participants was 23.00±4.63. Only 27.5% of the participants sustained an injury. Injured participants performed poorly on average in the SI assessment involving their eyes open when standing on a soft surface. The results were similar for the LOSDC in the overall, right, left, backward-right and backward-left directions. However, there were no significant correlations calculated. Significant relationships existed between BMI and the SI assessments in the injured participants which involved standing on a firm surface with their eyes open (p = 0.05), their eyes closed when also standing on a firm surface (p = 0.05), their eyes open when standing on a soft surface (p = 0.02), and their eyes closed when standing on a soft surface (p = 0.04). A significant relationship also existed between BMI and LOS right direction control (p = 0.02). Conclusion: This research paper revealed that the body mass index as investigated in this study is similar to other studies involving female adolescents; soccer injury as investigated in this study is similar to other studies involving female adolescents; poor static and dynamic balance is not associated with injury in adolescent female soccer players and lastly, body mass index is linked to the balance of an individual.

Submitted to the Faculty of Health Science in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology : Chiropractic, Department of Chiropractic,Durban University Of Technology, Durban. South Africa, 2015. / Introduction: Participation of young females in soccer has started to increase in the past few years. Females participating in soccer are more vulnerable to injuries than males due to the nature of the sport especially because the sport is characterised as a vigorous, high intensity, intermittent ball and contact activity. Objective: This study sought to determine the epidemiology of injuries in high school female soccer players in the eThekwini district. Method: A quantitative approach using a cross sectional survey was used to determine the epidemiology of injuries in female high school soccer players in the eThekwini district. One-hundred-and-ninety-seven female high school soccer players, between the ages of 14 to 19 years who have played soccer for at least one season, from 27 female high schools in the eThekwini district were invited to participate. A self-administered questionnaire was used to determine the demographic profile of the players and the reported prevalence of injuries in the soccer players. The study also determined the profile of soccer related injuries, management of injuries, identified risk factors for injury, and compared injuries occurring during training and during matches. Results: Out of a total of 85 respondents only 31 sustained injuries. The injury prevalence for the season was 36.5%. Only 61 injuries (71.8%) were reported by the injured players. The rate of injury was 90 per 1000 athlete exposure hours during the season. Only two female players reported the five injuries while all 29 female players sustained at least one injury. The defenders (31.7%) and midfielders (28.6%) sustained the most injuries. Most injuries reported were contact in nature (12.9%). More injuries occurred during training (12.9%) rather than during matches (8.2%). The lower extremity (77.8%) was injured more than the upper extremity (22.2%). The knee (22.2%) and ankle (15.9%) were the most frequently injured body parts. Muscle injury (23.5%) was the most commonly reported followed by bruising (10.6%). Conclusion: Prevalence of injuries was high in the cohort studied. The lower limb, specifically the knee and ankle were most commonly injured. Muscle injury and bruising were the most common injury affecting the lower extremity. It is recommended that the study be extended to a larger cohort of school children.

During sports competitions, especially soccer many players and coaches would pray before, during and after the game. Sometimes they would pray when they score a goal. The behaviour has attracted a research interest wanting to know why they do what they do often. The purpose of the study was to understand and evaluate the perceptions of coaches and elite players who continuously use spiritual rituals before, during and after soccer games to influence competitive outcomes. This study was carried out under the guidance of the following key questions; (a) Do spiritual perceptions of elite players influence outcomes of soccer competitions? (b) Does a divergence in spiritual perception between coaches and players influence competitive outcomes? and (c) Are spiritual (ritual) perceptions of soccer coaches and elite players related to religiosity/psychological interventions? In this study, a mixed method of data collection was used to eliminate the biases inherent in single method research. Specifically, qualitative and quantitative methods involving questionnaire, interview and observation supported by secondary and primary literature were used to gather information that would provide answers to the raised key questions. The results show that spiritual ritual practices would not influence the outcome of soccer competitions. Secondly, the spiritual ritual divergence among players and coaches would not influence outcomes of soccer competitions. Thirdly, the results showed that the use of spiritual rituals among players was purely for personal reasons, while the coaches used spiritual rituals as psychological intervention strategy to prepare the team before a given competitive. The overall results show that coaches and players agreed that spiritual rituals interventions are used for psychological interventions more than spiritual interventions. The implications of these findings to the players and coaches are discussed linked with future research focus.

The purpose of the current study was to examine the Psychological Intervention Strategies (PIS) that are used by coaches for male soccer teams in South Africa to enhance the performance of the national soccer teams. National soccer coaches for male teams (n = 4) completed a questionnaire and attended in-depth interview. Results from both the questionnaire and in-depth interview revealed a lack of knowledge of PIS which was further supported by the data from the analysis. While some of the coaches did not utilise goal setting and relaxation in their coaching responsibilities, the current results further show that these soccer coaches do not utilise mental imagery as well. These results suggest that the SAFA soccer coaches could not integrate PIS in the coaching. Although the results cannot be generalised there is evidence that the SAFA trained soccer coaches demonstrate inadequacy in using PIS in their soccer coaching. The study finds that soccer coaches are psychologically under-prepared for their arduous task of soccer coaching. By implication the players are also mentally under-prepared that they cannot face their peers competitively. Current studies point to this psychological preparedness as the psychological momentum.