Comparison of several parameters of sports vision tests between male and female recruits in the armed services

Eye-hand coordination is a visuomotor based technique that helps the eye and the hands to function as a single unit. The study investigates sports vision performance differences between male and female recruits in the armed services.This paper was initially delivered at the Annual Congress of the Biological Sciences Division of the South African Academy for Science and Art, ARC-Plant Protection Research Institute, Roodeplaat, Pretoria, South Africa on 01 October 2010.http://www.satnt.ac.zaam201

Wellness testing on recruits to determine current state of wellbeing

Through the evaluation of the wellbeing of recruits, a preventative life style approach can be re-enforced, lowering the risk of various diseases and conditions. This study was conducted in order to determine the current wellbeing of recruits at various locations in the country. All institutes revealed a high risk concerning body mass index and coordination. Institute 1 and Institute 2 attained elevated heart health readings. The waist-to-hip ratios in Institute 2 and Institute 3 proved to be high risk areas. Furthermore, Institute 3 indicated a high stress index and a high risk overall fitness in comparison to the other training institutes.This paper was initially delivered at the Annual Congress of the Biological Sciences Division of the South African Academy for Science and Art, ARC-Plant Protection Research Institute, Roodeplaat, Pretoria, South Africa on 01 October 2010.http://www.satnt.ac.zaam2014ay201

The association between body mass index and mood state

The weight of an individual appears to have an influence on mood state. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate this potential relationship. It was found that body mass index (BMI) does not have an association with the emotions of this sample (N = 206).This paper was initially delivered at the Annual Congress of the Biological Sciences Division of the South African Academy for Science and Art, ARC-Plant Protection Research Institute, Roodeplaat, Pretoria, South Africa on 01 October 2010.http://www.satnt.ac.zaam2014ay201

The effect of sports vision exercises on the visual skills of university students

Stress is an important factor which most students must deal with and is known to adversely affect the ability to perform visual skills effectively. The results showed an improvement in all tests in both the control and experimental groups. The experimental group showed a greater improvement in tracking, sequencing, visualisation and the reflex test. The study clearly showed that correct sports vision training can improve certain visual skills and lead to an enhancement of motor learning and performance. Sports vision exercises are therefore an efficient method of improving visual skills and possibly minimising any deficits caused by stress.This paper was initially delivered at the Annual Congress of the Biological Sciences Division of the South African Academy for Science and Art, ARC-Plant Protection Research Institute, Roodeplaat, Pretoria, South Africa on 01 October 2010.http://www.satnt.ac.zaam2014ay201

Comparing the Cardio Stress Index of a training population with university students

Results obtained from the study indicate that the Cardio Stress Index (CSI) readings of both male and female university students were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of the training population. University students were found to have a 50.31% population risk, whilst 31.50% of the recruit population indicated risk.This paper was initially delivered at the Annual Congress of the Biological Sciences Division of the South African Academy for Science and Art, ARC-Plant Protection Research Institute, Roodeplaat, Pretoria, South Africa on 01 October 2010.http://www.satnt.ac.zaam2014ay201

Comparing visual skills in sedentary and active work environments

A comparative study was conducted between training recruits (n = 138) and undergraduate university (n = 169) students to assess whether physical activity enhances visual skills. The results indicated that recruits, who lead an active lifestyle, possess superior skills in eye-hand coordination and reaction time. However, students possess superior skills in tracking and sequencing.This paper was initially delivered at the Annual Congress of the Biological Sciences Division of the South African Academy for Science and Art, ARC-Plant Protection Research Institute, Roodeplaat, Pretoria, South Africa on 01 October 2010.http://www.satnt.ac.zaam2014ay201

Comparison of the nine-point Beighton hypermobility score between males and females

Hypermobility syndrome (HMS) is observed in joints that extend beyond their expected range of motion. Results showed that from the total population, 25.17% of female subjects were at risk to only 11.04% of males.This paper was initially delivered at the Annual Congress of the Biological Sciences Division of the South African Academy for Science and Art, ARC-Plant Protection Research Institute, Roodeplaat, Pretoria, South Africa on 01 October 2010.http://www.satnt.ac.zaam201

An epidemiological study of physical activity patterns and weight gain in physically active and sedentary pregnant women in Tshwane, South Africa

Physical activity during pregnancy has been investigated for its potential benefits which includes weight control. Physical activity patterns of pregnant women in Tshwane, South Africa, were investigated using the EPIC–Norfolk Physical Activity Questionnaire (EPAQ-2) in an epidemiological cross-sectional study. Differences between recalled pre-pregnancy weight and pregnancy weight were used to determine weight gain. Weight gain was calculated to determine its association with the physical activity levels of pregnant women in their second and third trimesters and to assess how the progression of the pregnancy affects this variable. Of the 78 women who participated, 31 (39.7%) and 47 (60.3%) were in their second and third trimesters, respectively; 30.8%, 53.9% and 16.7% were classified as relatively inactive, active and very active respectively. The weight gain of 45.5% of the pregnant women was within the recommended range, while 28.6% and 26.0% were below and above the range respectively. Non-parametric statistics indicated no connection between the trimester and the women’s activity level. Very active and relatively inactive pregnant women fall below and above the recommended weight-gain ranges, respectively (p>0.10). Of the pregnant women, 35 (53.9%) were relatively active and 35 (45.5%) fall within the recommended weight-gain ranges. In conclusion, no connection was established between the pregnancy trimester and the level of physical activity, while physical activity effectively controlled weight gain during pregnancy. This study was limited by its cross-sectional nature, therefore further longitudinal research is recommended.http://www.ajol.info/journal_index.php?jid=153&ab=ajpher

Nutritional practices and needs of resource-constrained communities as seen through the eyes of primary school teachers

In hierdie artikel bespreek ons die persepsies van onderwysers (n = 45) wat betref die voedingpraktyke van ’n steekproef laerskoolleerders en hul gesinne in ’n hulpbron-arm gemeenskap. Ons fokus spesifiek op die behoeftes, praktyke en verwagtings ten opsigte van die gebruik van voedsel, wat die produksie, keuse en voorbereiding van voedsel impliseer. Ons studie vorm die eerste deel van ’n groter institusionele navorsingprojek. Vir die doel van ons studie het ons deelnemende refleksie en aksie-gebaseerde werkwinkels gehou om data te genereer en tydens die interpretasie van bevindinge op interpretivisme staatgemaak. Hierdie studie beklemtoon die behoeftes van hulpbron-arm en werklose gemeenskapslede wat dikwels genoodsaak is om teen verlaagde pryse voedsel te koop waarvan die kwaliteit nie optimaal is nie. ’n Verskraalde ontbyt, middagete of aandete waarvan die keuse algemeen beperk is tot swart tee, pap en een of twee snye ou brood, bevestig die manifestasies van armoede in hulpbron-arm gemeenskappe. Maaltye is dikwels beperk tot groot hoeveelhede koolhidrate, min groente, ingelegde vis, pap met inkomazi en marog. Hoenderpote en afval vul soms die spyskaart aan. Onderwysers beklemtoon die feit dat gemeenskapslede tipies op skenkings van werkgewers, kerke en kruidenierswinkels staatmaak om hul voedselbegroting aan te vul. Onderwysers fokus verder op die behoeftes aan opleiding vir gemeenskapslede. Na hulle mening moet gemeenskappe ingelig word oor voedselproduksie, groentetuine, die wyses waarop die kwaliteit van grond bepaal kan word, besproeiing en die toepassing van volhoubare wisselbou. Die artikel word afgesluit met uitvoerbare en leersame wenke vir die opleiding van landelike gemeenskappe. Op grond van dié navorsingsbevindinge word ’n intervensieprogram tans ontwikkel, met die doel om dit in die onderskeie deelnemende skole te implementeer ter bevordering van gesonde voedselverwante gedrag en welsyn.In this article we discuss the perceptions teachers (n = 45) have regarding the nutritional practices of a sample of primary school learners and their families in a resource-constrained community. We specifically focus on the needs, practices and expectations related to food consumption, which implies food production, food choice and food preparation. Our study forms the first part of a more comprehensive institutional research project. For the purpose of our study we utilised participatory reflection and action-based workshops with the participants in order to generate data, and employed interpretivism to interpret the findings. This study emphasises the need of resource-constrained and unemployed community members, who are often forced to purchase food as a reduced cost of which the quality is not optimal. An attenuated breakfast, lunch or dinner where choices are often limited to black tea, porridge and one or two slices of stale bread, confirms the manifestations of poverty in resource-constrained communities. Meals are often limited to large quantities of carbohydrates, few vegetables, canned fish, porridge with inkomazi and marog. Chicken feet and tripe may supplement the menu. Teachers emphasise the fact that community members typically rely on donations from employers, churches and grocery stores in order to supplement their food budget. Teachers furthermore focus on the needs of community members to be educated. In their view community members need to be informed in respect of food production, vegetable gardens, techniques of determining the quality of soil, irrigation and the application of sustainable crop rotation. The article concludes with achievable and informative ideas for educating rural communities. Based on these research findings an intervention programme is currently being developed, with the purpose of implementing the intervention in the various participating schools in support of healthy nutrition-related behaviour and well-being.This article forms part of a more comprehensive institutional research project, namely: ‘Schools as sites for social change: Facilitating adjusted behaviour in resource-constrained communities by empowering children’, funded by the Institute for Food, Nutrition and Well-being, University of Pretoria.The Institute for Food, Nutrition and Well-being, University of Pretoriahttp://www.satnt.ac.zaam2014gv201

The influence of sedentary and active work environments on wellness

Die begrip welstand het oor die afgelope dekades verander na gelang die lewenstyl van die samelewing met tegnologiese vooruitgang tred gehou het. Die hedendaagse siening is dat welstand in die eerste plek die verantwoordelikheid van die individu self is en bepaal word deur die beoefening van gedrag wat gesondheid bevorder. Daar is verskeie faktore wat bydra tot gesondheid in die sin van ’n individu se gevoel van algehele welstand op die lang termyn. Een van die belangrikstes daarvan is fisieke aktiwiteit, en daar is aansienlike navorsing gedoen om die voordele van ’n fisiek aktiewe lewenstyl te ondersoek. Hierdie navorsingsoorsig gaan van die veronderstelling uit dat die mees akkurate metode om dié voordele te peil, is om ’n aktiewe met ’n sedentêre lewenstyl te vergelyk. Die doel van die oorsig is om die begrip ‘algehele welstand’ te verduidelik en om die voordele van ’n werkomgewing wat fisieke aktiwiteit toelaat en die nadele van ’n omgewing waarin daar hoofsaaklik gesit word uit te lig wanneer dit op die bereiking van algehele welstand aankom.The concept of wellness has changed over the decades with the ever-changing lifestyle of society as it adapts to technological advances. The contemporary view is that wellness is the primary responsibility of the individual and is accomplished by practising health-promoting behaviour. There are various factors that contribute to wellness in the sense of an individual’s long-term sense of overall well-being. One of the most essential factors is physical activity, and there is a large body of research that explores the benefits of a physically active lifestyle. This article is based on the assumption that the most accurate way to measure these benefits are to compare an active with a sedentary lifestyle. The purpose of this review is to clarify the concept of wellness and highlight the benefits of a physically active working environment as opposed to the disadvantages of a sedentary environment in attaining overall wellbeing.http://www.satnt.ac.zahj2013ay201