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

The correlation between cardio stress and visual skills

Armed forces recruits were tested during a six month period of intense basic training. Data was collected at the start, after 12 weeks and 20 weeks. Means indicated significant decreases in cardio stress and increases in visual skills performance after 12 weeks and 20 weeks. Results indicate that cardio stress has a definite effect on visual performance.This abstract was initially presented at the annual Biological Sciences Symposium, presented under the protection of the Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns. The symposium was held at the University of Johannesburg on 01 October 2011.http://www.satnt.ac.z

Initial assessment of well-being in South African armed services personnel

As professionals in law enforcement and defence (armed services) function under high pressure, the maintenance of overall health should be emphasized and closely monitored in training facilities. The aim of this research was to assess current health status and risk factors of the members of three armed service training facilities. This represents the first step in an integrated approach toward health maintenance in this important sector. The sample consisted of 323 members from three different armed service training facilities in South Africa. The subjects completed a questionnaire on health history and coping with stress. Heart health, body composition, general fitness and co-ordination were then examined. The mean age of the sample was 38.08 years (SD=8.81). The mean blood pressure readings were pre-hypertensive (Systolic 127.4mmHg, SD=16.67; Diastolic 82.74mmHg, SD=10.94) and the mean BMI was in the overweight category (27.97kg/m2, SD=8.81). The percentage (more than 40 %) of subjects that require physical fitness intervention reflects an urgent need for effective implementation of wellness programmes in this sector.http://www.ajol.info/journal_index.php?jid=153&ab=ajpher

The effect of sport specific exercises on the visual skills of rugby players

INTRODUCTION: Visual performance is an important factor in sport excellence. Visual involvement in a sport varies according to environmental demands associated with that sport. These environmental demands are matched by a task specific motor response. The purpose of this study was to determine if sport specific exercises will improve the visual performance of male rugby players, in order to achieve maximal results on the sports field. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty six adult male rugby players, aged 16-22, were chosen as subjects. In order to evaluate the effect of sport specific exercises on visual skills, a pre-test - post-test experimental group design was adopted for the study. RESULTS: Significant differences (p≤0.05) were seen in the focussing, tracking, vergence, sequencing, eye-hand coordination and visualisation components Discussion & Conclusions: Sport specific exercises improved visual skills in rugby players which may provide them with an advantage over their opponents. This study suggests that these training programs and participation in regular on-line EyeDrills sports vision exercises (www.eyedrills.co.za) aimed at improving the athlete’s visual co-ordination, concentration, focus, hand-eye co-ordination, anticipation and motor response should be incorpotated in the rugby players exercise regime. Keywords— Rugby players, sport specific exercises, visual skillshttp://www.waset.org/journals/waset/v76.ph

A simplified (modified) Duke Activity Status Index (M-DASI) to characterise functional capacity: A secondary analysis of the Measurement of Exercise Tolerance before Surgery (METS) study

Background Accurate assessment of functional capacity, a predictor of postoperative morbidity and mortality, is essential to improving surgical planning and outcomes. We assessed if all 12 items of the Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) were equally important in reflecting exercise capacity. Methods In this secondary cross-sectional analysis of the international, multicentre Measurement of Exercise Tolerance before Surgery (METS) study, we assessed cardiopulmonary exercise testing and DASI data from 1455 participants. Multivariable regression analyses were used to revise the DASI model in predicting an anaerobic threshold (AT) >11 ml kg −1 min −1 and peak oxygen consumption (VO 2 peak) >16 ml kg −1 min −1, cut-points that represent a reduced risk of postoperative complications. Results Five questions were identified to have dominance in predicting AT>11 ml kg −1 min −1 and VO 2 peak>16 ml.kg −1min −1. These items were included in the M-DASI-5Q and retained utility in predicting AT>11 ml.kg −1.min −1 (area under the receiver-operating-characteristic [AUROC]-AT: M-DASI-5Q=0.67 vs original 12-question DASI=0.66) and VO 2 peak (AUROC-VO2 peak: M-DASI-5Q 0.73 vs original 12-question DASI 0.71). Conversely, in a sensitivity analysis we removed one potentially sensitive question related to the ability to have sexual relations, and the ability of the remaining four questions (M-DASI-4Q) to predict an adequate functional threshold remained no worse than the original 12-question DASI model. Adding a dynamic component to the M-DASI-4Q by assessing the chronotropic response to exercise improved its ability to discriminate between those with VO 2 peak>16 ml.kg −1.min −1 and VO 2 peak<16 ml.kg −1.min −1. Conclusions The M-DASI provides a simple screening tool for further preoperative evaluation, including with cardiopulmonary exercise testing, to guide perioperative management

The correlation between cardio stress and visual skills

<div style="font-size: 12px; font-family: serif; left: 227.348px; top: 319.506px; transform: scale(1.05635, 1); transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px;" dir="ltr">Visuele vaardighede vereis die gebruik van die visuele sisteem, sentrale senuweestelsel (SSS) en skelet spierstelsel om te reageer op visuele stimuli.</div

Sex differences in the nine-point Beighton hypermobility test scores

Joint hypermobility syndromes are often misinterpreted and wrongly diagnosed. Widely accepted naming such as Heritable Disorder of Connective Tissue has been shown to manifest features that closely overlap with better known disorders such as Marfan and Ehlers-Danlos syndromes and Osteogenesis Imperfecta. Currently the widely accepted - all-inclusive - diagnosis for generalised hypermobility is known as Benign Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (BJHS). People that do not have pain in their joints but still have lax joints are just considered to be hypermobile. It is currently understood that these are genetic-based conditions where connective tissue proteins such as collagen are formed differently. This results in the joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments being laxer and more fragile than is the case in non-hypermobile individuals. The aim of this study was to investigate possible differences in the occurrence of BJHS between males and females from a representative sample of a general population (aged 18-25). Testing was done on 300 recruits and 180 university students. The sample consisted of 55% males and 45% females. All subjects were tested using the 9-point Beighton criteria for diagnosis of BJHS, with scores of 4/9 and greater being indicative of BJHS. All data were pooled and differences were observed when comparing male and female Beighton test scores. Results showed 36.41% incidence for females compared to 13.96% for males (p ≤ 0.05). These differences may be due to hormonal influence on the laxity of tendons and ligaments. Furthermore it can also question the efficiency with which the Beighton score distinguishes between BJHS and general joint flexibility.http://www.ajol.info/journal_index.php?jid=153&ab=ajpher

Influence of basic military training on visual skills

Studies have shown that visual skills can be subjected to exertion during exercise, thus implying that entrainment of vision is possible through interaction with the environment. It has been established that by simply participating in physical activity, one naturally improves visual awareness as well as visual processing skills and visual-motor integration. The purpose of the present study was to examine the changes in various visual skills during a 20-week military basic training programme. The training included cardio-respiratory endurance, fitness, muscular strength (upper body and abdominal), muscular endurance, speed, power, agility and flexibility. The participants (n=234) consisted of both male and female recruits who were enrolled for basic training at the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). Only those recruits who complied with the inclusion criteria and were willing to give informed consent participated in the study. The data collection occurred before the onset of the basic training programme and again after 12 and 20 weeks of intensive training. This schedule was proposed in order to ensure the specific requirements demanded by the various tests, and to observe the rate at which the visual skills and physiological parameters changed. The improvement of various visual skills observed in this research provides evidence that physical exercise, along with an enhanced state of physical fitness, does have a positive effect on visual proficiency. These findings could be elucidated by an alteration in the neuronal architecture, which subsequently leads to faster decision making, as well as a quicker and more efficient motor response.http://www.omicsonline.org/scientifi c-reports.ph