Fundamental movement skill proficiency of selected South African Montessorian pre-schoolers

The Montessori philosophy and environment offers opportunities for free movement within the classroom. Physical development includes the acquisition of fundamental movement skills (FMS) which children acquire through different opportunities for movement. Previous research has shown that Montessorian pre-schoolers were more physically active during the school day compared to those attending traditional pre-schools. This led to questioning whether this noted increase in physical activity had any effect on the learning of FMS. The purpose of this study was to examine the proficiency of FMS of children aged 3–6 years in three private Montessori pre-schools. This purposive sample consisted of 105 Montessori 3–6 year olds in the Western Cape, South Africa. FMS were evaluated using the Test of Gross Motor Development Second Edition (TGMD-2). About 51.6% of the 3 year olds mastered run but scored in the poor category for five out of the six object control skills. The majority of 4 year olds (75.7%) reached mastery only in run. Most of the 5 year olds achieved mastery in run (69%) and slide (65.5%), and only 51.7% in kick. About 87.5% of the 6 year olds achieved mastery in run and slide, only half of them in leap, hop, kick and catch. No area of FMS were mastered by all the participants, but overall, the performance ranged from ‘average’ to ‘above average’. This shows potential for improvement in FMS proficiency. Therefore, children, even in a Montessori environment, require specific instruction to achieve proficiency of all FMS

The Influence of Cultural Experiences on the Associations between Socio-Economic Status and Motor Performance as Well as Body Fat Percentage of Grade One Learners in Cape Town, South Africa

Fundamental movement skills (FMS), physical fitness (PF) and body fat percentage (BF%) are significantly related to socio-economic status (SES). However, it remains unclear why previous studies have had different findings regarding the direction of the association between SES and FMS, PF and BF%. A suggested explanation is that the direction of the link can be influenced by cultural experiences and traditions. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate links between SES and FMS, PF, BF% of Grade One learners from two different ethno-geographic areas in Cape Town, South Africa. Grade One children (n = 191) (n = 106 boys and n = 85 girls; age (6.7 ± 0.33)) from different socio-economic areas in Cape Town, South Africa, were selected to participate in the study. South African schools are classified into five different quintiles (1 = poorest and 5 = least poor public schools). For this study, two schools were selected, one from quintile 2 and the other from quintile 5. BF% was assessed according to Slaughter’s equation. FMS were measured using the Gross Motor Development Test-2 (TGMD-2) and PF via five tests: 1. dynamic strength of lower limb (broad jump); 2. dynamic strength of upper limb and trunk (throwing a tennis ball); 3. speed agility (4 × 10 m shuttle running); 4. cardiorespiratory fitness (20 m shuttle run endurance test (Leger test)) and 5. flexibility (sit and reach test). An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) found that BF% and WHtR were significantly greater in children with higher SES (Z = 6.04 p < 0.001; Hedg = 0.54), (Z = 3.89 p < 0.001; Hedg = 0.32). Children with lower SES achieved significantly better TGMD-2 standard scores in the locomotor subtest, compared to their peers with higher SES. In the object control subtest, no significant SES-related difference was found. However, ANCOVA showed that girls performed better in FMS than boys. In PF, the main effect of SES was observed in dynamic strength of trunk and upper limb (throwing) and flexibility, where children with lower SES performed significantly better. No significant difference was found in cardiorespiratory performance (CRP) (Beep test), even though children with lower SES achieved better results. Results from the current study suggest that links between SES, PF, FMS and body fat percentage in children seem to be dependent on cultural and traditional experiences. These experiences should therefore be included as an important factor for the development of programmes and interventions to enhance children’s lifelong motor behaviour and health strategies

Die invloed van 'n intervensieprogram op omkeerbare gesondheidsrisikofaktore by 'n geselekteerde groep adolessente dogters

Thesis (PhD (Sport Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006.The continued integration of our global society has caused a shift in human social interaction and redefined the contexts of adolescents’ lives. Adolescents are inundated with a variety of choices at a stage of their lives where they are trying to create their own identity. This critical period of development is highlighted by an increased desire to experiment with adult life. Thus is experimentation not uncommon. The study examines the prevalence of a range of health risk behaviours amongst adolescent girls. It focuses on the identification of behaviours such as violence, smoking, alcohol and drug use and abuse, sexual behaviours, dietary behaviours and physical inactivity that place adolescents at increased risk for premature morbidity and mortality. An intervention programme was launched at the schools concerned in an effort to address these behaviour patterns and to inform learners regarding the dangers of these health risk factors. The sample population was selected from three previously disadvantaged high schools in the Worcester region. Due to restrictive circumstances at the schools, the sample could not be randomly selected and therefore the study is based on a quasi-experimental research approach. A sample of 1805 adolescent girls in Grades 8 to 10 completed a questionnaire, which assessed a range of health risk behaviours. This questionnaire was based on the Youth Risk Behaviour Survey (YRBS) and completed by all the respondents during the pre-test. A control and experimental group was selected from the Grades concerned, at the different schools. The experimental group was subjected to a six-months long intervention programme. At the end of the intervention programme a post-test was conducted on both the control and experimental groups. Four months after the post-test the respondents were subjected to the same test, which is now known as the follow-up test. The girls who dropped out of the study as it progressed are referred to as the drop-out group. Information regarding the socio-economic background of the girls, as well as permission to take part in the study, was obtained from the parents by means of a questionnaire. A self-designed questionnaire was used to obtain information regarding the state and status of Physical Education (PE) and movement programmes within Life Orientation at the schools. Teachers who were responsible for Grades 8, 9 and 10, completed the questionnaire. To keep track of body size and growth, mass and length were determined and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Blood pressure was measured to determine to what extend these girls suffer from hypertension. Skinfold measures were taken to determine the fat percentage. The 20m shuttle run (Bleep test) was used to indirectly determine the physical activity levels of the respondents. The main results are discussed next. The results indicate that more respondents in the post-test (64%) reported that learners carry weapons on school grounds than in the pre-test. According to the results 64% of the respondents indicated in the post-test that learners carry weapons on school grounds compared to 29% of the respondents in the follow-up test (p<0.01). The pre-tests results indicate that 11% of the respondents smoke cigarettes in comparison to 14% in the post-test (p<0.01). Approximately 9% of the respondents in the pre-test indicated that they drank at least one alcoholic drink in the week before the study was undertaken in comparison to the 22% of the post-test (p<0.01). Regarding the smoking of dagga 2% of the respondents indicated in the pre-test that they smoked dagga whereas 9% in the post-test indicated that they did. More sexual active respondents during the follow-up test (57%) indicated that they used condoms during their last sexual experience than in the post-test (46%). The results of the pre-test indicate that approximately 49% of the respondents did something to loose weight or to prevent weight-gain in comparison to the 25% of the post-test and the 31% of the follow-up test. According the results, 35% of the respondents purported to have PE at their school in comparison to 30% during the post-test and 54% during the follow-up test. Although there were some exceptions, in most cases a tendency existed that indicated an increase in the variables measured between the pre-test and post-test. In most cases the results remained constant between the post-test and the follow-up test. This study can therefore be a starting point for further research into the process to combat health risk behaviours amongst adolescent girls. This can be done with educational programmes in cooperation with several role-players in the community

'n Opname van die bewegingsontwikkelingskenmerke van grondslagfase leerders in die Stellenbosch omgewing

Thesis (MScSportSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2004.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Physical activity is an integral part of children's lives. It makes an essential contribution to their physical, psychological and social well-being. Often, it is through movement and active play that children learn to discover themselves. This movement and play sometimes serves as a medium for communication. Unfortunately, various research studies show that children are not active enough and lead ever increasing sedentary lifestyles and these lifestyles lead to various types of hypo-kinetic diseases. Technology, as well as the phasing out of structured physical education in schools, are aspects that are responsible for the decrease in activity levels of children. The primary aim of this study was to determine if present-day children's (Grades 1 - 3) physical abilities have improved or worsened over the years. Movement tests from Katzenellenbogen (1976) were used to test movement abilities of these children. Adapted questionnaires from Van Deventer (1999) were used to construct the lifestyle patterns of learners and to get information concerning movement programmes from teachers at schools. The sample population (N=372) was selected from four schools (two previously disadvantaged and two former Model C schools) in the Stellenbosch area. The tests evaluated, inter alia the following, velocity, velocity and power, power, velocity and accuracy, accuracy and precision. Children from the previously disadvantaged and former Model C schools, as well as age and sex were compared. A comparison with the 1976 study of Katzenellebogen was also done. The latter study only involved girls and was undertaken only at White schools. The coding of the variable data was done in a computer format, coded and statistically analysed. Averages are compared through the Analyses of Variance (ANOVA). From the results of the study, it can be concluded that children at the former Model C schools fared better in most of the tests and it is evident that boys generally are more active than girls. As far as the comparison with the 1976 study is concerned, present-day girls fared worse in almost all the tests. The weight of the 9 year old girls increased by as much as 7.2 kg. This study can therefore be a starting point for further study attempting to combat the tendency of inactivity amongst the youth of today.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Fisieke aktiwiteit is 'n integrale deel van kinders se lewens. Dit maak 'n essensiële bydrae tot hul fisieke, psigologiese en sosiale welstand. Dit is dikwels deur beweging en aktiewe spel wat kinders leer om hulself te ontdek. Hierdie beweging en spel dien ook soms as 'n medium vir kommunikasie. Ongelukkig toon verskeie navorsing dat kinders nie aktief genoeg is nie en al hoe meer sedentêre leefstyle handhaaf, wat lei tot allerhande hipokinetiese siektetoestande. Tegnologie, asook die uitfassering van gestruktureerde Liggaamlike Opvoeding in skole is aspekte wat verantwoordelik gehou word vir die afname in aktiwiteitsvlakke van kinders. Die primêre doel van hierdie studie was om te bepaal of hedendaagse kinders (Graad 1 tot 3) se bewegingsvermoëns oor die jare heen verbeter of verswak het. Bewegingstoetse uit Katzenellenbogen (1976) is gebruik om bewegingsvermoëns van die kinders te toets. Aangepaste vraelyste uit Van Deventer (1999) is gebruik om die leefstylpatrone van leerders vas te stel en om inligting aangaande bewegingsprogramme in die skole by onderwysers te bekom. Die proefpersone (N=372) is uit vier skole (twee voorheenbenadeelde [VB]- en twee voormalige Model-C [VMC]-skole) in die Stellenbosch omgewing geselekteer. Die toetse het die volgende veranderlikes gemeet: snelheid; snelheid en dryfkrag; dryfkrag; snelheid en akkuraatheid; akkuraatheid en presiesheid; getoets. Kinders van VB- en VMC-skole, ouderdomme en geslagte is met mekaar vergelyk. Daar is ook 'n vergelyking met die 1976-studie van Katzenellenbogen getref. Die 1976-studie van Katzenellenbogen het slegs dogters ingesluit en is slegs by Blanke skole onderneem. Die veranderlikes se datametings is in rekenaarformaat gekodeer en statisties verwerk. Gemiddeldes is vergelyk deur middel van analise van variansie (ANOVA). Uit die resultate van die studie kan tot die gevolgtrekking gekom word dat kinders by die VMC-skole beter in meeste van die toetse gevaar het en dit blyk ook dat seuns oor die algemeen meer aktief is as dogters. Wat die vergelyking met die 1976-studie betref, het hedendaagse dogters swakker gevaar in byna al die toetse. Die 9-jarige dogters het ook met soveel as 7.2 kg in gewig vermeerder. Hierdie studie kan dus as 'n beginpunt dien vir verdere studie in 'n poging om die tendens van onaktiwiteit onder vandag se jongmense te bekamp

The effect of a rhythmic movement intervention on selected bio-motor skills of academy players in the Western Cape, South Africa

CITATION: Solomons, J., et al. 2020. The effect of a rhythmic movement intervention on selected bio-motor skills of academy players in the Western Cape, South Africa. International journal of Sports Science and Coaching, doi:10.1177/1747954120956909.The original publication is available at https://journals.sagepub.comRhythmic movement, also referred to as “dance”, involves the execution of different motor skills as well as the integration and sequencing of actions between limbs, timing and spatial precision. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate and compare the effect of a 16-week rhythmic movement intervention on flexibility, dynamic balance, agility, power and local muscular endurance of academy rugby players in the Western Cape, according to positional group. Players (N=54) (age 18.66 ± 0.81 years; height 1.76 ± 0.69 cm; weight 76.77 ± 10.69 kg), were randomly divided into a treatment-control [TCA] (n=28) and a control-treatment [CTB] (n=26) group. In this crossover experimental design, the interaction effect of the treatment order and the treatment time between the TCA and CTB group, was determined. Results indicated a statistically significant improvement (p<0.05) in agility2 (p=0.06), power2 (p=0.05), local muscular endurance1 (p=0.01) & 3 (p=0.01) and dynamic balance (p<0.01). Likewise, forwards and backs also showed statistically significant improvements (p<0.05) per positional groups. Therefore, a rhythmic movement intervention has the potential to improve rugby-specific bio-motor skills and furthermore, improve positional specific skills should it be designed with positional groups in mind. Future studies should investigate, not only the effect of rhythmic movement on improving specific rugby bio-motor skills, but the potential of its application as an alternative training method during off-season (or detraining phases) or as a recovery method.https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1747954120956909Post prin

Balance and bilateral skills of selected previously disadvantaged children aged 9 to 12 years

The main aim of the study was to design an appropriate motor skills development programme that could be implemented in any primary school to improve the fundamental motor skills (FMS) of children between the ages of 9 and 12 years old. One previously disadvantaged (Quintile 2) school in the Stellenbosch region was selected to participate in the study. The children (N=67) were conveniently selected to participate in the study and were divided into an experimental (n=35) and a control group (n=32). Only the experimental group participated in the motor skill development programme for 12 weeks. No significant differences were found for the mean balance score within the experimental and the control group or between the pre- and post-test. However, there were significant differences found for the mean bilateral coordination scores between the pre- and post-test of the experimental group but not with the control group. This could be attributed to the 12-week intervention programme presented to the experimental group. It is suggested that this programme may be beneficial to all primary school children, not only those from previously disadvantaged schools.Key words: Balance; Bilateral coordination; Children; Fundamental movement skills

Bewegingsvermoëns van 7-9 jarige dogters in die Stellenbosch-omgewing: \'n vergelyking

The movement abilities of children have undoubtedly become worse during the last 27 years. Physical inactivity is reducing the quality of life in today\'s children who are tomorrow\'s adults. A lack of regular physical activity in youth exacerbates disease incidence and severity. A vicious cycle has developed, reinforcing the negative health consequences of physical inactivity in society. It seems that now, more than ever, there is a need to promote lifestyle patterns in children that can track into adulthood. The study focuses on the identification of movement abilities of girls (N=69), ages 7-9 years and investigates whether their movement abilities is comparable to that of the girls in the Katzenellenbogen\'s study of 1976, using the same tests and criteria. The tests evaluated inter alia the following: velocity; velocity and power; power; speed and accuracy as well as accuracy and precision. The girls were selected from two former Model-C schools in the Stellenbosch area as the Katzenellenbogen study (1976) only involved girls from former White schools. The results indicated that present-day girls fared much worse in almost all the movement tests. The weight of the 9-year old girls increased by as much as 7.2kg and the length of the 7-year old girls increased by as much as 7.3cm compared to 27 years ago. This study can therefore be a starting point for further research attempting to combat the tendency of inactivity amongst the youth of today.Keywords: children; movement abilities, physical inactivity, physical activity, physical education/life orientationSouth African Journal for Research in Sport, Physical Education and Recreation Vol. 27(1) 2005: 137-15