The efficacy of the eyethinksport training software programon South African high school cricketers

The issue of enhancing an already superior visual system in elite athletes has led to several investigations dealing with intervention programmes designed to enhance visual performance. The influence of visual skillsenhancement programmes has been investigated (Coffey & Reichow, 1990; Calder, 2005; Love, Kluka, & Young, 2006; Kluka & Love, 2006).Researchers (Kluka & Love, 2006; Kluka, Love, Covington, Bristow, & Allison, 2000) have reported that elite athletes, when compared tononathletes, have superior visual abilities, measured through contrast sensitivity function, peripheral vision, visual reaction time, static visual acuity, eye movements, visual concentration, visual recognition andstatic/dynamic balance. Practical limitations, however, involves applicability to athletes. Where geographical location is considered, access to such training is a factor. A software programme, EyeThinkSport (Calder, 2006), was developed as an internet-based, self- administered intervention. Accessed through a personal computer with an internet link, the programme was designed to improve athlete’s visual abilities and decision making. The aim of this investigation was to determine the efficacyof the EyeThinkSport visual training software programme on selected cricket athletes at high school club level. Thirty high school level (aged13 – 19) cricket players participated. Each player had at least 3 years of cricket playing experience. Participants were divided into 2groups (E=15) and (C=15). Four phases of assessment were involved: (1) Series of preliminary visual assessments to establish testing protocol; (2) Pre-training programme assessment (pretest) using six different visualskills tests and five different cricket-specific skill tests (baseline data); (3) Three-week training programme using the EyeThinkSport software programme or a placebo; (4) Post training assessment (posttest) using 6 visual and 5 cricket-specific tests. All outcome variables were analyzed using a RM-ANOVA (group X time). Where significant interaction (

Women and sport leadership: perceptions of Malawi women educated in sport business leadership

Traditional beliefs, cultural expectations and attitudes regarding the position of women in society still exist in the sub-Saharan African patrimonial society. Gender inequality in Africa’s regional and national sport organisations and governance structures is a reality and empirical work on women in sport leadership is lacking. This qualitative investigation is embedded in social constructivism as conceptual framework, which attempted to explore the perceived effect of a sport leadership education program in Malawi. The effect of leadership education is contextually perceived and although the challenge to integrate African leadership and traditional western leadership models is recognised, it was not the aim of this study. The study aimed to understand the leadership experiences of females in a Malawi sport context and sought to reveal if sport leadership development initiatives like this are expected to be merely opportunities to transfer knowledge or if it could affect the self-worth and “voice” of female sport leaders in Malawi. Findings suggest that completing the sport leadership education programme positively affected not only individual self-worth but also the collective voice of female sport leaders. It is proposed that similar courses are expanded and introduced to other sub-Saharan African countries and to research the perceived effect.Key words: Sport leadership education; Gender inequality; Sub-Saharan Africa

Exploring public recreation service delivery under two political ideologies in South Africa: 1948-2006

This study aimed to explore the provision of public recreation to the citizens of South Africa under two distinct political ideologies of ‘Apartheid’ and the current democratic political system. Results from this qualitative and descriptive study of public recreation provision under two distinct political ideologies in South African apartheid and democracy are presented. Five themes emerged from an inductive content analysis: Philosophy and policies of public recreation service provision; Governance of public recreation provision; Legislation related to public recreation provision; Public recreation programmes and initiatives; and Recreation training and education initiatives. Findings suggested that similarities and differences of service provision existed, and neither of the two ideologies succeeded in optimising public recreation provision as instruments of social transformation to support the notion that public recreation benefits all. Although the political ideology of democracy brought progress and structure in terms of recreation policy, legislation, education and training, fragmentation of governance structures, lack of coordination, and a myopic focus on physical recreation were evident under both ideologies. It seems as if most South African citizens continue to be excluded from recreation access and opportunities as a social space conducive to individual exploration, reflecting social, cultural intellectual and spiritual growth.Key words: Public recreation provision; Apartheid ideology; Democracy

Effect of visual cues and practice on decision making of touch rugby players

Researchers have reported that appropriate decision making involves an understanding of choices between options and performing appropriate actions. The ability to identify visual cues that improve decision making and performance is beneficial for sport; however, after a thorough perusal, virtually no published information is available on visual training, decision making and touch rugby. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of visual cues and practice on decision making of touch rugbyplayers. A convenience sample of 18 South African provincial touch rugby players were selected and divided randomly into three groups. Groups were required to analyze touch rugby-specific situations from video clips and determine the best decision for each one. Group 1 participated in a physical training session based on defense in touch rugby and a visual training session which involved analyzing defense patterns. Group 2 only participated in a physical training session based on defense. Group 3acted as a control and was not involved in any additional training sessions. Results from a Kruskal- Wallis test indicated that there was no significant difference (p ≤ 0.10) between the pretest of the three groups. There was, however, a significant difference (p ≤ 0.10) in the post-test among the three groups in terms of body positioning, field positioning, response time and verbal communication with reference to decision making in touch rugby. It is recommended that additional research that replicates theresearch design be performed in order to construct more definitive interventions for decision making in touch rugby