Common lower extremity injuries in female high school soccer players in Johannesburg east district

Objectives. Soccer is one of the sports in South Africa which hasseen an increase in the participation of youth and adult female players. The aim of this study was to determine point and 1-year prevalence, profile of injuries that affect female soccer players, associations between injuries and player position, age, use of equipment, frequency of play, and training duration. Methods. A retrospective questionnaire-based descriptive survey of 103 first team high school female soccer players in the Johannesburg east district was conducted.Results. The 1-year prevalence for the participants who reportedinjuries was 46% (N=47) and the point prevalence was 33% (N=34). From these, a total of 78 and 42 injuries for the 1-year and point prevalence respectively were reported. An extended duration of skills (p=0.0001) and fitness (p=0.02) training in this population reduced the likelihood of incurring an injury. The older the participants, the more chance there was of sustaining injuries (p=0.01). The participants who wore shin guards were less prone to shin/leg injuries (p=0.01), the relative odds being 0.35. Themidfielders had more foot and toe injuries than the other players(p=0.05). Starting age (p=0.78), frequency of play (p=0.83), wearing of shoes (p=0.54) and stretching had no influence on injury. The knee and ankle were the main locations of injury, with defenders and midfielders mostly being injured. Conclusion. A decrease in the duration of training for both skills and fitness and not wearing shin guards are risk factors for injury in female soccer players in high school. The profile of injuries andthe risk factors determined from this study do not differ from the studies done in male adolescent and adult soccer players

Predictors of success for african black physiotherapy students in South Africa

high school performance and aptitude tests are usually used to predict success at university, but this may not be applicable when the ethnic group of the student is considered. The aim of this study was to investigate factors  that  predict  success  of  African  black  students  in  physiotherapy programmes and whether these factors are influenced by race. A mixed methods approach was used. one hundred and twenty eight graduates who graduated between 2000 and 2005 from eight universities in South Africa and six heads of Physiotherapy Departments participated in the research. A  postal  questionnaire  comprising  closed  and  open-ended questions was used  for  graduate  and  in-depth  interviews  were conducted  with  heads  of Departments. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive analysis as well as inferential statistics using Chi square tests and logistic regression. Qualitative data was analysed using content analysis. of the participants, 59% of the African black students were successful compared to 90% of the white students.  A significant association was found between race and success with factors such as sharing a residence room, obtaining information about university support systems from classmates, feeling part of the group of classmates and choosing physiotherapy as the first choice of career being predictors of success. Students also highlighted determination to succeed and become a physiotherapist, financial and family support, and a favourable learning environment to contribute to success. HOD interviews associated adequate knowledge about the physiotherapy profession, proficiency in the language of instruction, academic discipline, relevant support and integration in the class with success. It is recommended that matriculation results should not be the only predictors of success but tertiary institutions should consider broader factors such as residential accommodation and a supportive learning environment