scholarly journals Higher log position is not associated with better physical fitness in professional soccer teams in South Africa

2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 40 ◽  
Author(s):  
JR Clark
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
South African ◽  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Professional Soccer ◽  
Soccer Teams ◽  
Physical Tests ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Repeat Sprint

Objective. To assess the difference in physical fitness of players in successful versus less-successful professional soccer teams in South Africa. Design. Professional soccer players (N = 140) underwent a battery of tests assessing important physiological components during the early part of their competitive season. Players were then separated into two groups on the basis of their teams' final log position in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) in South Africa. Players in successful (N = 70) and less-successful (N = 70) teams were in the top four or bottom six positions on the log respectively. Descriptive statistics (mean ± standard deviation (SD)) were calculated for each group, and independent t-tests were used to compare the means of the groups for each of the physical tests. Main outcome measures. Body composition, flexibility, muscle strength-endurance, power, speed, agility, aerobic endurance, and repeat sprint distance. Results. There were no significant differences between groups for all measures of body composition, flexibility, repeat sprint distance, and agility. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found for sit-ups, aerobic endurance, and speed, but these were generally small, not meaningful differences in performance. Players in successful squads were significantly (p < 0.01) older than those in less-successful teams. Conclusions. The results demonstrate that in South Africa level of physical fitness is not higher in more-successful compared with less-successful teams in the PSL. Factors other than physical fitness may be more important in determining successful league performance and discrimi-nate better between players in teams with different levels of success. Improving professional soccer performance may require coaches and trainers to focus more attention on technical and tactical skill development in sport-specific training once an acceptable standard of fitness has been attained.. South African Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 19 (2) 2007: pp. 40-45

scholarly journals Analysis of patient load data for teams competing in the 2003 Cricket World Cup in South Africa

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 129
Author(s):  
A Killian ◽  
RA Stretch
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Trigger Point ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Medical Personnel ◽  
Care Plan ◽  
World Cup ◽  
Injury Rates ◽  
Warm Up

Objectives. To evaluate the injury presentation data for all teams taking part in 10 warm-up matches and 46 matches during the 2003 Cricket World Cup played in South Africa, in order to provide organisers with the basis of a sound medical-care plan for future tournaments of a similar nature. Methods. The data collected included the role of the injured person, the nature of the injury, whether the treatment was for an injury or an illness, whether the injury was acute, chronic or acute-on-chronic, and the prognosis (rest, play, unfit to play, sent home, follow-up treatment required). The medical personnel in charge of the medical support documented patient information which included the total number of patient presentations and the category of illness/injury. Results. Ninety patient presentations (1.6 patient presentations per match) were recorded. The most common patient presentations were by the batsmen (50%), followed by the bowlers (29%) and all-rounders (17%). Of the patient presentations, 53% were classified as injuries, while the remaining 47% were classified as illnesses. The patient presentations occurred in the early stages of the competition. The most common presentations were of an acute nature (63%). The main injury pathology categories were trigger point injuries (10%), and bruises / abrasions (10%), while infection (29%) was the main illness pathology. Conclusions. The 2003 Cricket World Cup proved to be an ideal opportunity to collect data on international cricketers participating in an intensive 6-week international competition; the epidemiological data collected should assist national cricket bodies and organisers of future Cricket World Cup competitions to predict participant-related injury rates. South African Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 18 (4) 2006: pp. 129-134

South Africa and Rhodesia/Zimbabwe

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alois Mlambo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Foreign Policy ◽  
South African ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Major Trading Partner ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Southern Rhodesia ◽  
Military Support ◽  
Apartheid Regime ◽  
The 19Th Century

This article traces the relations between South Africa and Southern Rhodesia/Rhodesia/Zimbabwe from the end of the 19th century until the present with respect to politics; economic, military, ideological, and cultural activities; as well as foreign policy. The conflicted relationship between the two countries went through varying periods of close cooperation and also of tension, especially given the difference in power between the much larger and more economically prosperous South Africa and the smaller society and economy of Southern Rhodesia. Other important factors include the dominant influence of the Afrikaners in South Africa, from the creation of the Union in 1910 onward, and the apprehension felt by a predominantly English-speaking white population of Rhodesia, which arose from a fear of being swallowed up by Afrikaner-dominated South Africa. During the Zimbabwean liberation struggle from the early 1960s onward, South Africa gave military support to Rhodesia, at least in the early part of the conflict; it changed its policy in the mid-1970s and began to advocate for negotiations between Rhodesia’s warring parties. Between Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980 and the democratic transition in South Africa in 1994, relations between the two countries were fraught with tensions because the Zimbabwean government persistently condemned the apartheid regime and hosted representatives of South African anti-apartheid movements, although Zimbabwe was careful not to allow these movements to launch military attacks on South Africa from its soil, for fear of reprisals. On its part, the South African government conducted a sabotage campaign against its northern neighbor and exerted economic pressure on it. Despite all these tensions, however, South Africa remained Zimbabwe’s major trading partner throughout this period. The tension between the countries lessened when Nelson Mandela became president in 1994, but new tensions arose because of Mandela and Robert Mugabe’s rivalry over the leadership of Southern Africa. On coming to power in 1999, Thabo Mbeki tried to diffuse tensions by adopting a different style of foreign policy that, in Zimbabwe’s case, was known as “quiet diplomacy”—a policy that came under much criticism from Western countries and some sectors in Southern Africa. Mbeki’s successors continued this diplomatic policy toward Zimbabwe, even following a militarily assisted political transition in November 2017, which saw the overthrow of Mugabe and his replacement by Emerson Munangangwa.

scholarly journals British doctors’ experiences of working in rural South Africa: The London GP Out of Programme Experience

2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Candice Reardon ◽  
Oluwatobi Enigbokan ◽  
Gavin George
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Professional Growth ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Clinical Skills ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Rural South ◽  
The Difference ◽  
To Come ◽  
Foreign Doctors

Background: A paucity of research exists that has examined temporary placements of foreign health professionals in South Africa (SA) as a possible strategy for addressing health worker shortages. The Out of Programme Experience (OOPE) initiative, run by the London GP Deanery, aims to provide a sustainable inflow of British, trainee GP doctors into rural public health facilities in SA.Objectives: The present study explored the experiences of these British doctors working in rural hospitals in SA as part of their OOPE. The reasons and motivations underlying their decision to come to SA were also examined.Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with fifteen British doctors who were currently working, or had worked in the past, as part of OOPE in rural health facilities in SA. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis.Results: The first theme that surfaced from the interviews was that the most common reasons underlying these doctors’ motivations for coming to SA related to: the type of diseases and advanced pathologies that they would encounter; the challenge and opportunity for professional growth; and the difference in work environment that would confer on them greater responsibility and autonomy, compared to working in similar positions in the British National Health Service. The second theme, central to the participants’ narratives, was the accelerated period of learning that they experienced whilst in SA. Exposure to new and unfamiliar medical cases, a greater level of autonomy and decision-making authority, and resource shortages forced greater reliance on their clinical skills and judgment, which contributed to their professional development.Conclusion: The doctors’ believed the OOPE enhanced their clinical skills and competencies. The findings provide some evidence that attests to the OOPE’s potential to benefit both host facilities and the participating foreign doctors. The findings of the study have practical implications for the further development of programmes to fill vacant posts for health workers in rural South African hospitals. Agtergrond: Daar bly ’n gebrek aan navorsing met betrekking tot tydelike posisies vir buitelandse professionele gesondheidswerkers in Suid-Afrika (SA) as ’n moontlike strategiese oplossing vir die tekort aan gesondheidswerkers in die land. Die ’Out of Programme Experience’ (OOPE) inisiatief, wat deur die ‘London GP Deanery’ georganiseer word, se doel is om ’n volhoubare invloei van Britse dokters-in-opleiding aan plattelandse openbare gesondheidsfasiliteite te voorsien.Doelwitte: Hierdie studie het die ervarings van hierdie Britse dokters, wat as deel van die OOPE-program in plattelandse Suid-Afrikaanse hospitale gewerk het, verken. Die onderliggende redes en motivering vir hul besluite om na Suid-Afrika toe te kom, is ook ondersoek.Metodes: In-diepte onderhoude is met 15 Britse dokters gevoer wat huidiglik, of in die verlede, in plattelandse gesondheidsfasiliteite in SA gewerk het as deel van die OOPE-program. Die onderhoude is getranskribeer en tematiese analise is gebruik om dit te analiseer.Resultate: Die eerste tema wat uit die onderhoude geïdentifiseer is, is dat die mees algemene redes hoekom hierdie dokters na SA gekom het verband hou met die tipe siektes en gevorderde patologie wat hulle in SA sou teëkom. Die tweede tema wat geïdentifieer is, is die versnelde leerkurwe wat hulle ervaar het in SA.Gevolgtrekkings: Die dokters het geglo dat die OOPE-program hul kliniese vaardighede verbeter het. Hierdie studie getuig van die OOPE se potensiaal om beide die plaaslike gesondheidsfasiliteite sowel as die deelnemende buitelandse dokters te bevoordeel. Die gevolgtrekkings van die studie het praktiese implikasies vir die verdere ontwikkeling van programme om vakante poste vir gesondheidspersoneel in plattelandse hospitale in SA te vul.

scholarly journals Medication use by Team South Africa during the XXVIIIth Olympiad: A model for quantity estimation for multi-coded team events

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 78 ◽  
Author(s):  
WE Derman
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Team Member ◽  
Olympic Games ◽  
Medical Facility ◽  
Pharmacological Agents ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Stock Control ◽  
Sports Events

Objective. This descriptive study was undertaken to report the medications used by the athletes and officials of Team South Africa at the 2004 Olympic Games and to provide a model for the estimation of quantities to be used for planning support to future events. Setting. South African medical facility, 2004 Olympic Games, Athens, Greece. Methods. The names of the medications, including the dosage and quantity of medications dispensed, were recorded in the pharmacy stock control book at the South African medical facility, 2004 Olympic Games, Athens, Greece. Retrospective review of patient files and medical encounter forms was also undertaken to check against the pharmacy stock control book to ensure complete data capture of dispensed medications. Main outcome measures. Quantities of medications consumed during the observation period. The units of medication consumed per travelling team member were calculated by dividing the number of units (tablets, capsules, tubes, inhalers, bottles and ampoules) used during the trip by the total number of travelling team members. Results. Complete records of medications included in the travelling pharmacy are described. Quantities of medications included ranged from single units to 2 250 units and percentage use of various medications varied from 0% to 100% of stocks. Units per team member ranged from 0 to 9.43. Medications were consumed from all categories of agents. The most utilised agents included the analgesics, musculoskeletal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents as well as certain vitamin and mineral supplements. Conclusions. This study describes the consumption of pharmacological agents by the athletes and officials of Team South Africa during the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. It also provides a model to assist with the estimation of quantities of medications to be included in the travelling pharmacy for future international multicoded sports events. South African Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 20 (3) 2008: pp. 78-84

scholarly journals The cricket bowling performance of different racial groups at a junior provincial level in South Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 40
Author(s):  
M S Taliep
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The Other ◽  
Racial Groups ◽  
The South ◽  
Black African ◽  
Provincial Level ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Cricket Bowling

Objective. To investigate the difference in performance and bowling opportunity of black African (BA), coloured/Indian (C/I) and white(W) cricket bowlers at a junior provincial level in South Africa between 2006 and 2012.Methods. Data of all players performing in the South African interprovincial under-13 (U13), under-15 (U15) and under-19 (U19)tournaments were analysed. Bowling performance (bowling average and the top 20 wicket takers relative to their par representation) andbowling opportunity (number of overs bowled) were compared between racial groups.Results. There were no significant differences in the bowling averages between BA bowlers and the other racial groups between 2008 and 2012.BA bowling averages were only significantly worse than W bowlers in the U13s in 2006 and U19s in 2007. BA bowling averages were also onlysignificantly worse than C/I in the U13s and U15s in 2007. BA bowlers were below par representation in the top 20 wicket takers in each yearfor the U15s and U19s and below par representation for the U13s in 2007 - 2009 and 2011. The performance of C/I and W bowlers was relativelysimilar across the age groups. BA players bowled significantly fewer overs than W bowlers in the U13s in 2006, in the U15s in 2007 and 2009and in the U19s in 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2011. C/I bowlers bowled significantly fewer overs than W bowlers in the U13s in 2008 and 2009.Conclusion. The bowling averages of the different racial groups are similar. However, there were relatively few BA bowlers in the top 20wicket takers each year. This could be because of a lack of highly skilled BA bowlers or the lack of opportunity provided to BA bowlers tobowl in these tournaments.

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