Movement and Impact Characteristics of South African Professional Rugby Union Players

Background. Global positioning system (GPS) technology can provide accurate, non-invasive, real-time movement analysis of players participating in team sports. The application of this technology to rugby union will improve training practices by allowing improved understanding of movement characteristics and more individualised programmes. Objectives. To characterise the movement and impact patterns of South African professional rugby union players during match play and compare these to previously reported data. Methods. Nineteen professional rugby players were tracked using GPS systems during 24 matches during the 2013 rugby season. Players were grouped as (i) backs or forwards and (ii) tight forwards, loose forwards, scrumhalves, inside backs or outside backs. Movements were categorised in speed zones corresponding to walking (0 - 2 m.s-¹), jogging (2 - 4 m.s-¹), striding (4 - 6 m.s-¹) and sprinting (>6 m.s-¹). Walking and jogging were classified as low-intensity and striding and sprinting as high-intensity movement zones. An inbuilt triaxial accelerometer (sampling frequency 100 Hz) measured the total impacts >5G and high-intensity impacts >8G. All data were normalised to time on field and reported as mean (standard deviation). Results. There was no difference between forwards and backs in relative distance covered. Backs reached higher maximum speeds than forwards (backs 8.8 (1.1) v. forwards 7.6 (1.3) m.s-¹, effect size (ES) 1.0, and outside backs were the fastest positional group (9.4 (0.9) m.s-¹, ES 0.4 - 2.2). Players in all positions spent the majority of time walking (79 - 84%). Backs covered more distance than forwards in high-intensity speed zones (forwards 11 (5) v. backs 14 (4) m.min-¹, ES 0.7). Tight forwards covered the most distance in low-intensity zones (63 (6) m.min-1, ES 0.3 - 1.7) while scrumhalves ran the most distance in high-intensity zones (20 (5) m.min-¹, ES 1.2 - 3.6). High-intensity : low-intensity running ratios ranged from 1:13 (tight forwards) to 1:3 (scrumhalves). Loose forwards and inside backs exhibited similar movement patterns. There was no difference in impact variables between forwards and backs. Inside backs sustained the least total impacts (6.5 (1.2) >5G.min-¹, ES 0.9 - 2.0) and high-intensity impacts (0.7 (0.2) >8G.min-¹, ES 0.5 - 1.4). Conclusions. There were notable differences in the movement of professional rugby union players in different positions, and effective training programmes should reflect these variations

Comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation and quality of life in coronary artery bypass graft patients

The overall success of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is much dependent on the postoperative rehabilitation. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programmes should be comprehensive and multifactorial to enhance the education and quality of life of the patient.This was a quasi-experimental and longitudinal intervention study to which 18 patients who had undergone CABG surgery were referred. Two questionnaires were administered and patients participated in a 12-week exercise programme.Significant improvements were noted in waist circumference (99.7 ± 8.3 to 97.8 ± 8.8; p=0.042), body fat percentage (22.7 ± 5.3% to 20.5 ± 4.9%; p=0.000), resting systolic blood pressure (125.7 ± 13.7mmHg to 119.7 ± 8.9mmHg; p=0.000), stairs climbed (3.6 ± 3.5 flights to 5.9 ± 4.4 flights; p=0.003), duration of exercise per week (329 ± 383.7min.wk-1 to 527 ± 482.7min.wk-1; p=0.001), kilocalories expended per session (827 ± 765kcal to 1173 ± 699kcal; p=0.001), kilocalories expended per week (2 550 ± 858kcal to 3 996 ± 1 849kcal; p=0.000), chair sit-and-reach (0.7 ± 3.4cm to 1.3 ± 3.4cm; p=0.001), up and go (6.0 ± 1.3sec to 5.1 ± 1.2sec; p=0.002), chair stand (13.4 ± 2.3 to 16.2 ± 2.3; p=0.000), maximum workload (82 ± 23.0 watt to 110 ± 29.4 watt; p=0.000), maximum duration (08:35 ± 02:41min:sec to 11:57 ± 03:51min:sec; p=0.000), physical component score (38.8 ± 6.1 to 52.1 ± 4.2; p=0.000) and mental component score (49.5 ± 8.5 to 56.9 ± 3.1; p=0.002).The findings of this study support the role of CR encompassing lifestyle intervention, education and psychological support in promoting a faster recovery of health and desired performance of the CABG patient

Assessing the needs of coaches in developing a coach education framework

The establishment of a global framework recognising coaching competencies and qualifications is part of the International Council for Coaching Excellence key objectives for the period 2009-2015. It is partly for this reason that the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) has developed a framework for Long-Term Coach Development in order to identify, recruit, support and provide recognition to coaches (SASCOC, 2011). As part of a study exploring the impact of coach education on coaching practice, a national survey of lifesaving coaches was conducted (n = 120). This was done using the Survey Monkey® internet tool and targeted all coaches and administrators listed on the Lifesaving South Africa’s database. Survey questions focused on obtaining a demographic profile, coaching experience and the foci of athlete training. Questions also sought to gather information on the coach education process, its content and the way it was assessed. Results from the survey indicated that 81% of respondents are volunteer coaches with an age range between 18 and 60 years. 50% of sampled coaches had been coaching lifesaving for between two and five years, mostly at the club level (96%). Coaches were asked where they had learnt to coach, and the most common responses were drawing from their own sporting experiences, watching other coaches and being self-taught. The implementation of a coach education programme through Lifesaving South Africa was well received, although only 54% felt that certification should be mandatory. It was through this preliminary data that an understanding of what the coaches’ require in a coach education programme was gained

A survey of the attitudes and knowledge of parents of high school children on the East Rand on the usage of nutritional supplements

Background: The use of nutritional supplements (NS) by adolescents seems to be an escalating problem in South Africa. Any supplementary product ingested to boost the nutritional content of a normal diet to either fill a need or presumed deficiency, including any sports or energy drink, tablets or injections, are deemed as NS for the purpose of this study. Parents seem to agree that children who play sport are allowed to use NS to assist them to perform better, without knowledge of the health risks associated with these products. Despite information on websites and information sessions arranged by schools, parents seem to disregard advice given to them by experts.Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the attitudes and level of knowledge of parents of children on the East Rand with regard to NS usage.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study which used a previously validated, self-administered questionnaire for the parents (n = 198). It also included an interview with a focus group consisting of coaches and administrative staff (n = 9) representing each sports code selected for the purpose of this study. The data were analysed using largely descriptive statistics.Results: Nine percent of parents indicated that they considered themselves well informed with regard to NS; 13% indicated that they would support their children in obtaining NS without efficacy being proven and 75% indicated their awareness of the risk of NS being contaminated. Coaches viewed the role of parents as integral regarding a healthy diet but indicated that the use of NS could not be ignored, also admitting to a lack in knowledge regarding NS.Conclusion: Parents and coaches demonstrated limited knowledge regarding NS. Their knowledge was formed from information on labels and the internet. Parents have a positive attitude towards the use of NS by their children despite indicating an awareness of the health risks related to NS usage.Keywords: adolescents, presumed deficiency, nutrients, health risks, limited knowledg

Energy expenditure in office workers with identified health risks

Objective. To measure the daily energy expenditure in employees previously identified as having ≥2 risk factors for chronic disease, and to identify potential risk-reducing interventions for implementation within or outside the workplace. Design. A total of 122 employees with ≥2 risk factors for chronic disease identified in an in-house screening programme were invited to participate in a 6-month health management programme. Physical assessments included anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol estimations, and bicycle ergometry. Participants were invited to wear a ‘metabolic armband' (Body Media SenseWear Pro Armband®) for 6 days. Metabolic measures included active and total energy expenditure (AEE, TEE), and daily MET levels (metabolic equivalents expressed as kcal/kg/hour). Differences were explored between genders, and relationships sought between energy expenditure, lifestyle and anthropometric data. Setting. A corporate working environment. All measures and assessments were carried out in the in-house fitness facility. Interventions. The health management programme involved physical assessments and personalised weight and activity management plans. Main outcome measures. TEE per day, duration and quantification of physical activity, METS, AEE, number of steps per day and body position recording. Relationships were explored between the latter and anthropometric measures such as body mass index (BMI) and percentage body fat. Result. Altogether 53 (43%) of the eligible subjects volunteered for the 6-month programme and 49 enrolled for the metabolic armband study. The males were more active than the females, but both had BMI and body fat estimates that categorised them as overweight to obese. METS and AEE were positively correlated with duration of exercise rather than intensity, and negatively correlated with BMI. In a stepwise regression analysis for the total group 77% of the variance in MET levels was accounted for by per cent body fat and steps per day. Multivariate analysis by gender (with per cent body fat as the dependent variable) suggested that males would have to increase the duration of vigorous exercise in order to reduce body fat, while females would benefit from sitting less, sleeping more, and increasing the duration of moderate exercise. Conclusion and clinical relevance. In a self-selected sample involving motivated individuals, the SenseWear® armband provided information that would be useful in directing further research in women, focusing on sleeping pattern and moderately increasing activity levels. South African Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 20 (2) 2008: pp. 40-4

Attitudes towards the risk of HIV transmission in sport

Objective. There is a real risk of transmitting HIV through open wounds during participation in sport. The aim of this study was to investigate athlete s knowledge and attitudes towards HIV transmission in a competitive sport environment how their sporting codes, demographics, knowledge and interaction with colleagues influenced their attitudes. Design. A questionnaire was administered to elite athletes (N = 575) competing in 11 sport codes including high, medium and low-risk sports, and undergraduate students (N = 46) from a Sport Science Department. Athletes from all economic backgrounds, who competed at national, provincial or at first-division level, were included in this study. The questionnaire was distributed during national tournaments and training sessions. Results. Sixty-three per cent of athletes believed that a risk of HIV transmission exists in sport participation. Fiftyeight per cent believed that they had a right to know if a teammate/opponent was HIV-positive, and 62% believed that all athletes should be tested for HIV. Fifty per cent of the respondents indicated that they would participate against individuals who were HIV-positive. Most athletes (88%) believed that more education on HIV transmission in sport was needed and 58% felt that HIV should be a notifiable disease in sport. Forty-six per cent of the athletes indicated that they would participate in competition even though they were HIV-positive. Conclusion. The threat of infection or transmission did not deter athletes who were afflicted or unafflicted with HIV from participating in competitive sports. South African Sports Medicine Vol.17(1) 2005: 11-1

Impact of Fatigue on Positional Movements During Professional Rugby Union Match Play.

PURPOSE: In team sports, fatigue is manifested by a self-regulated decrease in movement distance and intensity. There is currently limited information on the effect of fatigue on movement patterns in rugby union match play, particularly for players in different position groups (backs vs. forwards). This study investigated the effect of different match periods on movement patterns of professional rugby union players. METHODS: Global positioning system (GPS) data were collected from 46 professional match participations to determine temporal effects on movement patterns. RESULTS: Total relative distance (m.min-1) was decreased in the 2nd half for both forwards (-13, ±8%; ES = very likely large) and backs (-9, ±7%; ES = very likely large). A larger reduction in high-intensity running distance in the 2nd half was observed for forwards (-27, ±16%; ES = very likely medium) than for backs (-10, ±15%; ES = unclear). Similar patterns were observed for sprint (>6 m.s-1) frequency (forwards -29, ±29%; ES = likely small vs. backs -13, ±18%; ES = possibly small) and acceleration (>2.75 m.s-2) frequency (forwards -27, ±24%; ES = likely medium vs. backs -5, ±46%, ES = unclear). Analysis of 1st and 2nd half quartiles revealed differing pacing strategies for forwards and backs. Forwards display a "slow-positive" pacing strategy, while the pacing strategy of backs is "flat". CONCLUSIONS: Forwards suffered progressively greater performance decrements over the course of the match, while backs were able to maintain performance intensity. These findings reflect differing physical demands, notably contact and running loads, of players in different positions

Popular physical therapy modalities in the management of whiplash-associated disorders

Objectives. The aim of this study was to determine current physiotherapy practice in private clinics across the UK in the management of whiplash-associated disorder (WAD) injuries. Design. All treatment reports provided to a private health care company between January 2008 and July 2010 (N=365) were included and analysed to determine the following: the treatments favoured in the management of whiplash; the number of sessions used on average; and the main reasons for discharge. Results. Joint mobilisations, stretches and mobility exercises were favoured in the management of acute whiplash treatment and were used in 74%, 68% and 61% of cases, respectively. The most popular treatments in chronic whiplash, in order of preference, were: stretches (73%), joint mobilisations (69%) and soft-tissue massage (63%). On average, physiotherapists used 4.46 sessions and 7.21 modalities per patient. Although the outcome measures were limited to reason for discharge, the majority of patients were discharged because of ‘treatment complete/self management sufficient’, which may be assumed to be a favourable recovery for 79% of patients. Conclusion. This study found that physical therapists across the UK generally use evidence-based modalities in the treatment of whiplash. However, there remains a need to emphasise and embrace a more educational and active approach to the management of these injuries. The study recommends a protocol for treating WAD that includes supplementing therapeutic modalities with an exercise component, and routinely providing information and advice to ‘act as usual’

Pacing characteristics of whole and part-game players in professional rugby union

Introduction: Contemporary theories on players’ intensity distribution in team sports suggest they regulate their outputs using pacing strategies. There is currently limited information on the effect of bout duration on pacing and movement patterns in rugby union match play. This study investigated the effect of different bout duration types (whole game, starter or finisher) on movement patterns of professional rugby union players within different position groups (forwards and backs). Methods: Global positioning system (GPS) and accelerometer data were collected from 100 professional match participations to determine temporal effects on movement patterns. Results: For forwards, finishers (players who entered the game as substitutes) demonstrated significantly greater high-speed running distance (% difference, ± 90%CI; magnitude based inference and effect size) ( 55, ±17%; very likely large) and acceleration frequency (+ 78, ±59%; very likely large). Backs demonstrated no significant bout effects, but starters (players who started the game and were later substituted) tended (p = 0.07) to display greater high speed running distance than whole game players (+27, ±21%; ES = likely medium). Forwards displayed “slow-positive” pacing strategies regardless of bout type, while backs displayed “flat” pacing strategies. Conclusions: Forwards and backs adopt different pacing strategies regardless of bout type, with forwards demonstrating progressively greater performance decrements over the course of the match. These findings reflect differing physical demands, notably contact and running loads, of players in different positions

Attitudes and perceptions towards performanceenhancing substance use in Johannesburg boys high school sport

Introduction. The environment of youth sport in South Africa has transformed considerably, where adolescent athletes are faced with more pressure from coaches, peers and parents to perform well. Some of the athletes are using nutritional supplements or prohibited means such as doping to cope with these pressures and gain an edge in competition. Objectives. In view of the lack of literature investigating the use of doping in South African adolescents, the objective of the study was to determine the attitudes and perceptions of male adolescent athletes regarding performance-enhancing substance (PES) use. Methods. The design of the study was cross-sectional and used a self-administered questionnaire. A sample of participants was obtained from male adolescent high school athletes involved in 1st and 2nd high school sports teams in Johannesburg boys high schools. Participants were invited to volunteer to participate in the study. Questionnaires were completed under conditions that were similar to an examination situation. Demographic data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results. The majority (91%) of the athletes indicated a belief that the number of athletes using PES in sport is increasing. Eightyfour per cent of them felt that there was pressure placed on them to use PES to win. Only 55% of respondents believed that doping tests would prohibit the use of banned substances and 91% did not believe that the sale of prohibited substances should be banned. The majority (88%) believed there is a need for further education. Conclusion. Although there is enormous pressure on high school boys to use PES, their knowledge is lacking, especially with regard to doping in sport