Masters Degrees (Sports and Exercise Medicine)
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Item Open Access Die impak van toubaanprogramme op groepseffektiwiteit(University of the Free State, 1998-11) Herselman, Elizma; Bloemhoff, H. J.; Bester, C. L.English: Little is said in the literature regarding the impact of ropes course programmes in South Africa on the effectiveness of the groups that participate in them. With this powerful experiential learning tool at disposal, it is necessary to give participants in this adventure activity clear proof regarding the impact of ropes course programmes on the personal development of the individual and the effectiveness of the group. A ropes course programme has the potential to improve the functioning of groups and simultaneously the productivity of the organisation in which the group finds itself. A hypothesis was formulated on the grounds of this statement, namely that participation in ropes course programmes in group context stimulates certain components of group effectiveness which further lead to the personal development of the individual within the group. Increased productivity in the corporate market demands the functioning of an effective group. In order to establish the effectiveness of the group, certain variables, that are responsible for this effectiveness, were identified in the literature. A variety of programmes are used to enrich, motivate and build a group into an effective group. A tendency of the nineties is adventure-related team building through experiential learning. Adventure-related experiential learning uses the metaphorical transfer between the adventurous experience and the workplace of the individual. For the purpose of this study ropes course programmes as a medium of adventure-related experiential learning were investigated in order to determine what their impact is on the participants as a group and as individuals. As part of the prior investigation questionnaires were sent to the managers of corporations that had already had groups participate in ropes course programmes. This information provided basic guidelines regarding the expectations of the companies and the motivation for participation. As part of the research 150 respondents who had participated in ropes course programmes were involved in the study. Respondents were expected to complete a "before" and "after" questionnaire in order to make a comparative study between the "before" and "after" measurements possible. During the prior investigation respondents listed the various aspects regarding the current state of the group's effectiveness qualities of the group and the individual in terms of the strong and weak points of the group. The respondents were requested to list their expectations with regard to the programme and identify areas the group would like to improve. Respondents rated the individual and group aspects on the five-point Likert scale according to the standing of these aspects prior the participation in the programme. In the follow-up questionnaire the most positive and negative effects derived by respondents from their participation were identified. The variables that determined effectiveness during the prior investigation were again given to participants for rating in order to determine whether their participation had any impact on the variables of group effectiveness. It appears from the results that the expectations of participants with regard to the programme closely correlated with the positive effects they derived from it. The significance between the variables' mean difference shows that 81.3% of the group variables show a highly significant difference (p<0.01) and 18.8% of the group variables a significant difference (p<0.05). Regarding the individual variables 9l.0% showed a highly significant difference (p<0.01) and the remaining 9.0% a significant difference (p<0.05). These variables that were identified in the literature are being directly addressed by participation in ropes course programmes. On these grounds it can be concluded that the significant difference indicates that the effectiveness of groups is increased by participation in ropes course programmes and the formulated hypotheses can be acceptedItem Open Access The epidemiology of injuries in club rugby in Namibia(University of the Free State, 2016-02) Morkel, Vernon; Holtzhauzen, LouisBackground: Several studies have reported the epidemiology of injuries in professional rugby union, but there are limited studies about amateur rugby, especially in a third-world setting. No epidemiological studies have been done on injuries in Namibian club rugby. Namibian rugby does not have an injury prevention programme, so the expectation is that there is a high rate of injuries and recurrent injuries in Namibian rugby. Aims: The aim of the study was to investigate the epidemiology of injuries among club rugby players in Namibia, with specific reference to recurrent injuries. The ultimate goal will be to use the results of this study to develop an injury prevention programme for Namibian rugby. Method: A prospective, descriptive study was undertaken to investigate the injury epidemiology among the players of 11 Namibian premier league rugby teams. Of the 414 players who played in premier league matches, 117 players suffered 156 injuries. The researcher visited all 11 clubs to collect the data from the injured players. The researcher conducted telephone interviews with the players who were not personally interviewed. All data were recorded on data collection forms, and the date included the players’ anthropometric data, dates of injuries and return from injury, time the match injury occurred, match event causing the injury, body location of injury, diagnostic investigations done and treatment received and whether the injury was recurrent. Results: The injury rate of time-loss injuries in matches was 74.4 injuries per 1 000 player-match hours for the season. Most injuries (87.7%) took more than seven days to recover from, which is longer than expected. Most injuries (34.4%) occurred during the final quarter of a match. The tackle was responsible for most (48.4%) of all time-loss injuries and all contact match events caused 83.5% of all match injuries. Significantly more running injuries (12.3% or 9.1 per 1 000 player-match hours) were recurrent than first-time injuries (5.7% or 4.3 per 1 000 player-match hours) (p=0.05). Backline players (44.5 injuries per 1 000 player-match hours) had more injuries than forwards (29.9 injuries per 1 000 player-match hours), with the highest injury incidence among inside backs (scrumhalf, flyhalf and centre positions) (23.8 injuries per 1 000 player-match hours). Most injuries (78.2%) were match injuries, compared to only 21.8% training injuries. The most frequent anatomical sites for injury in this amateur club league were the ankle (17.3% of all injuries), hamstring muscle (16.7%), knee (15.4%) and shoulder (15.4%). Concussion accounted for only 4.5% of all injuries. Of the total 156 injuries in this study 76 were recurrent injuries, meaning that 48.7% of all the injuries were recurrences of previous injuries. It is the highest recurrent injury rate reported to date in rugby union. Conclusions: The injury rate is very high, compared to other amateur club settings. Injuries are, on average, much more severe in this league than in other amateur and professional leagues. The incidence of recurrent injuries is significantly more than has ever been reported for rugby union. This high injury burden may be due to the lack of an official injury prevention programme in Namibian rugby. The results of this study can be used to introduce an injury prevention programme for Namibian rugby.Item Open Access The clinical reaction time test as part of a standardised concussion assessment battery(University of the Free State, 2016-02-12) Carstens, Charl Sarel von Willigh; Viviers, P.; Holtzhauzen, L. J.Background: Concussion is a worldwide challenge and diagnosing, evaluating and monitoring injured athletes places a huge burden on even experienced clinicians. Each concussed athlete presents differently and each one should be treated individually. In an ideal world, enough resources should be available for neuropsychologists and neuropsychology tests to evaluate each athlete. In resource-limited areas, neuropsychologists are replaced by experienced clinicians for treating concussions; these clinicians use as many objective cognitive tests as are available. If computerised neuropsychology tests are unavailable, then low-cost, objective and fast sideline tests, like the clinical reaction time test, may be incorporated in the assessment battery protocol. No one test can be the sole cognitive assessment for recovery after a concussion. It is imperative that all these clinical tests practical limitations and benefits are known. Aims: This study’s primary aim was to compare the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 3 (SCAT3) total score with the clinical reaction time test (RTClin). The secondary aim was to compare the two tests as recovery tracking evaluations in the days following a concussion. Methods: In one season (2014) a prospective cohort study of amateur collegiate rugby union players who suffered concussion (n = 46, mean age 21, range 18 to 33 years) out of 1 166 registered players were evaluated within 72 hours (Evaluation-1), then weekly (Evaluations 2 to 4) until they became asymptomatic (Evaluation-Asymptomatic) using the SCAT3 total score and RTClin tests. Results: Within the first 72 hours after a concussion the SCAT3 Score and the RTClin showed a moderately positive correlation of 0.47 (Spearman test) and p = 0.04. The Spearman correlation between asymptomatic athletes was poor (0.21 and p = 0.46). A comparison of the SCAT3 Score of the first evaluation (E-1, n = 19, mean 24, range 10 to 74) with the asymptomatic evaluation (E- Asym, n = 14, mean 3.5, range 0 to 9) shows statistical significance (p < 0.01). The RTClin during E-1 (n = 19, mean 190 ms, range 168 to 258 ms) and, compared to E-Asym (n = 14, mean 179 ms, range 147 to 223 ms), came close to showing significance (p = 0.07). The recovery tracking showed the mean time for recovery as 6 days (n = 5, range 4 to 18 days). The SCAT3 Score for E-1 showed a mean of 24, E-Asym mean of 3 and mean difference of 18. The RTClin for E-1 showed a mean of 199 ms, E-Asym mean of 178 ms and a mean difference of 20 ms. There is a strong correlation of SCAT3 Score and RTClin over time, of 0.80, but p > 0.05. The recovery time correlation for SCAT3 Score was moderate (-0.56), but p > 0.05, and for RTClin recovery showed a strong correlation over time (-0.82), but also p > 0.05. Conclusions: In a low-resource environment with only clinical examinations, SCAT3 and RTClin as tools there is evidence that the SCAT3 Score and RTClin may be good sideline diagnostic or screening tools within the first 72 hours after concussion. When athletes become asymptomatic, the RTClin becomes more important for monitoring persistent cognitive impairment than the SCAT3 Score. Further research is needed with larger study populations to confirm the utility of the RTClin as part of a post-concussion assessment battery.Item Open Access The effect of concrete and artificial turf surfaces on lower limb muscle fatigue among UFS netball players(University of the Free State, 2015-06) Van Jaarsveld, Gawie; Schoeman, M.; Coetzee, D.Objective: The present study sought to determine the effect of synthetic and concrete surface on lower limb muscle fatigue on UFS netball players. Fatigue increases the risk for injuries and play surfaces with less absorbing qualities leads to an increased incidence of injuries. The hypothesis of this study was that the less absorbing concrete surface will have a more significant effect on lower limb muscle fatigue by means of jumping performance and muscle activation, which leads to an increased incidence of injuries. Design: This study was an experimental crossover study, which assessed lower limb muscle fatigue on two different netball play surfaces (concrete and synthetic turf). Nine netball players from the University of the Free State senior netball team where recruited. The vertical jump performance (jump height, peak power, peak velocity) were measured with a Tendo power analyser and lower limb muscle activation with surface Electromyography. Measurements were taken before and after a fatiguing protocol on the two separate surfaces over the span of two days. Results: The results did not find any significant change in vertical jumping performance or muscle activation after the fatiguing protocol on the two separate surfaces, except for a significant decrease of Tibialis Anterior (TA) activation after the fatiguing protocol (FP) on the concrete surface during the propulsion phase of the vertical jump (VJ) (p = 0.03). There was however also a significant difference in muscle activation of Semitendinosis (ST) prior the FP on the two separate surfaces during the landing phase of the VJ (p = 0.03). Conclusion: This study could not determine that the less absorbing concrete surface had a more significant effect on muscle fatigue than the synthetic surface. It could however be postulated 1) that the concrete surface had a greater effect on the post-activation potentiation and jumping performance than the synthetic surface; 2) the differences in activation of the ST before and after the FP on the synthetic surface during the landing phase of the jump was possibly due to a change in biomechanics in response to the surface and should be investigated in future research, and 3) the concrete surface had a significant effect on TA activation during the propulsion of the jump, but whether the change is brought on by fatigue and whether TA shows the first signs of fatigue compared to other muscle groups is still debatable.Item Open Access The use of traditional medicines and rituals in professional soccer in South Africa(University of the Free State, 2015-06) Mulungwa, L. C.; Holtzhausen, L. J.Objectives: Anecdotally and from observation there is wide spread use of traditional medicine (TM) and traditional rituals (TR) in sport in South Africa. It is predominantly practiced by ethnic black athletes, and is an apparent common occurrence in professional soccer. No scientific literature could be found on TM and TR in sport in South Africa. In order to advise athletes on the use of TM and TR, scientific evidence is required on the prevalence of TM and TR use, the types and substances used, efficacy, adverse effects, and possible content of banned substances. The aim of the study was therefore to gather baseline data on the use of TM and TR, to assess the prevalence and the role thereof in sport, and to identify substances and rituals in order to guide future research on this very relevant topic. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted on former South African professional soccer players. The interview guide was constructed by identification of key questions to elucidate the prevalence and importance of TM and TR use in South Africa, to identify specific medicines and rituals, the perceived effectiveness thereof, and to understand the role and importance of secrecy that apparently surrounds TM and TR practices. Data was analysed by transcription and classification of the interviews, to produce predominantly qualitative data. Results: It was confirmed that TM and TR use is common practice in South African professional soccer. TM is used for minor ailments, stamina, injury healing, protection, improved performance, and as part of team rituals. A list of commonly used TMs has been identified and presented. Even though TM and TR are commonly used and regarded as important, the majority of participants preferred to use western medicine before they resort to TM. A list of TR has been identified and presented. The majority of participants (80%) did not believe that TR improves sport performance. Secrecy about the use of TM and TR is an important component of the traditional culture, which complicates research on this topic.Item Open Access Dehydration in u/19 rubgy players in the hot conditions of the Karoo(University of the Free State, 2013-01) Vermeulen, Petrus Van der Walt; Holtzhausen, L. J.; Coetzee, F. F.English: Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the dehydration status of u/19 School rugby players during a game of rugby in the Hopetown district in high temperatures. Methods: This study was a cohort-analytical study on certain variables associated with hydration levels of u/19 rugby players from Hopetown High School during two matches in 2007 and two matches in 2009. The group of rugby players was subjected to a pre- evaluation (15min before the game) followed by a re-evaluation performed 10min after the game. In this way the dehydration status of the players could be determined. Thirty-one rugby players participated. Readings were taken of Urine-Specific Gravity (SG), blood haematocrit, and body mass of every rugby player before and after every rugby match. The student t-test was used to test for significant differences within the group. A significance level of 0.05 was used throughout the study. Results: The anthropometric characteristics in our study for 2007 and 2009 are very similar as expected, and showed a mean length of 177 ± 7-8 cm, ranging from 165 to 190 cm, a mean body mass of 71.5 ± 13.7kg and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 22.88 ± 3.98kg/m2. Between 3 (17%) and 10 (67%) of the players were dehydrated post-match according to the decrease in body mass. The pre-exercise urine specific gravity measures were significantly lower (p < 0.05) before all 4 matches than after the matches as expected, and most of the players could have been better hydrated at the beginning of the match. 20% - 94% of the players were dehydrated pre-match and almost all the players (93% and 100%) were dehydrated after the match. The pre-match mean haematocrit (HCT) and the post-match mean HCT was in the range of 0.46 - 0.47. However, in two of the matches significant differences (p < 0.05) in HCT were recorded. Conclusions: It was alarming to find that a large number of the players were dehydrated before the match, but more important, almost all of them after the match. Recommendations for fluid and electrolyte replacement must be carefully considered and monitored in rugby players to promote safe hydration and avoid hyponatremia.Item Open Access Detection of respiratory illness in athletes of the University of the Free State through a periodic health evaluation with and without spirometry(University of the Free State, 2014) Joubert, Isstelle J.; Holtzhausen, L.; Prins, M.Background: Exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) is a common medical condition which can have devastating complications, particularly in otherwise healthy active athletes. Since EIB is unpredictable but preventable, medical personnel and coaches are often the primary support givers in such events and need to be informed about the risk factors and proper management of the athlete with this, sometimes undiagnosed, respiratory problem. The periodic health evaluation (PHE) is mandatory in some, but not all, sports and covers a few basic questions regarding the athlete’s respiratory health. Aims: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of underlying respiratory disease in a population of varsity level athletes. In addition, the study aimed to test whether the addition of a specific tool would increase the sensitivity of the PHE as it is implemented by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), therefore investigating if spirometry before and after an exercise challenge would diagnose any new athletes with exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB). Methods: Thirty-two participants met the inclusion criteria. Periodic health evaluations were done to enquire about a detailed history from the athletes and physical examination with special attention to the respiratory system. Baseline spirometry followed by an exercise challenge test and serial post-exercise spirometries were done on all the participants according to the guidelines provided by the American Thoracic Society. Results: The results of this study confirmed that a thorough history and clinical examination alone do not lead to the diagnosis of EIB. Furthermore, we conclude that a resting baseline spirometry does not indicate that an athlete is at risk for or has EIB. In the absence of eucapnic voluntary hyperpnea (EVH) as the preferred challenge test according to the International Olympic Committee-Medical Commission (IOC-MC), an exercise challenge test will be as valuable. Almost 10% of the athletes in our study, which were healthy according to the PHE and baseline spirometry, had a positive spirometry for EIB after an exercise challenge test as indicated by a fall of ≥ 10% from the baseline forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1).Item Open Access Concussion knowledge and practice among role players in primary school rugby in the North West Province(University of the Free State, 2013) Jansen van Rensburg, Magrietha; Schoeman, M.; Holtzhausen, L.; Patricios, J.Background: Concussion is a common medical problem which can have devastating complications, particularly in young adults and children. Due to the nature of rugby, concussions are frequently sustained by the players engaging in this contact sport. Since children are more susceptible to sustain a concussion, medical personnel such as doctors or paramedics should theoretically be the role players responsible for medical decision making next to the school rugby field. Coaches, who are often teachers, are often the primary source of medical support next to school sports field. Since failure to recognise or mismanagement of a concussion may lead to serious medical complications and delayed recovery, all role players involved with a potentially concussed child should be knowledgeable on the factors influencing medical decision making. These factors include knowledge on the prevention, recognition and management of a concussion, knowledge on the consequences of a sustained concussion and when to clear a child to Return to Play (RTP). Aims: This study aimed to report on the general and essential knowledge to be able to recognise a concussion of role players potentially involved with a concussed primary school rugby player and knowledge of role players regarding the prevention and consequences of concussion. In addition, knowledge and practices of role players regarding the management of a suspected or confirmed concussion, as well as knowledge and practices of role players regarding Return to Play (RTP) decision making following a concussion were assessed. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was developed according to guidelines from literature to assess the child-specific concussion knowledge and practices of role players. These questionnaires were completed by primary school rugby coaches (n=51), paramedics (n = 39) and doctors (n = 20) in the Klerksdorp, Orkney, Stilfontein and Hartbeesfontein (KOSH) area in the North West Province. The outcome measures consisted of scores (out of a potential 100% if all the correct answers were given) on the prevention, management, recognition, RTP and consequences of a concussion. In addition, the knowledge regarded by literature as being essential to the safe practice of doctors were also assessed among all role players. Results: It was found that coaches and paramedics were generally the most senior persons responsible for medical decision making next to the rugby field. A substantial proportion of coaches (60.8%) were not BokSmart certified at the time of data collection and therefore not adhering to this requirement set out by SA Rugby. There was no relationship between the time since the coaches received their last concussion-related information and their concussion knowledge. There was also no relationship between the coaches’ concussion knowledge and whether they attended a recognised concussion training programme such as BokSmart. The only variable to show a relationship (p = 0.001) with the coaches’ overall essential knowledge needed for safe practice was the amount of years they have been coaching rugby. The coaches, who were also teachers, displayed a general lack in knowledge on the effect of a concussion on a child’s school work and the need for cognitive rest following a concussion. The paramedics displayed a widespread weakness in their knowledge pertaining to the cognitive aspects associated with a concussion. There was general consensus that the decision to clear a child to Return to Play (RTP) should rest with a doctor. However, the results from this study indicates that a considerable proportion of doctors (30.0%) were unaware of the fact that a child should be free from concussion symptoms not only during physical activity, but also at rest, which may result in premature RTP. The role players displayed a less than adequate knowledge on sport-related concussion with the coaches scoring 71.44 ± 12.03%, the paramedics scoring 67.01 ± 12.29% and the doctors scoring 76.67 ± 6.56% on the overall essential knowledge needed for safe practice Conclusions: Despite the fact that the doctors scored significantly better compared to the coaches and paramedics on their overall essential knowledge score (all of the essential knowledge items combined), very few doctors did not present with considerable gaps in their essential knowledge needed for safe practice when dealing with a concussed child. By implication the findings from this study indicates that children suffering from a concussion may be at risk for receiving inappropriate or insufficient medical care when sustaining a concussion. These findings should be communicated to sport governing bodies such as SA Rugby and further research undertaken to address the lack in knowledge among role players potentially dealing with concussed athletes as a matter of urgency.Item Open Access Exercise prescription: knowledge, practice and attitude among South African doctor(University of the Free State, 2014) Roos, Gerhard Marius; Schoeman, M.; Holtzhausen, L. J.Background: Physical inactivity is fourth on this list of leading causes of deaths worldwide. South Africans are reported to have low physical activity (PA) levels. Increased levels of PA and aerobic fitness will have a positive influence on morbidity and mortality since sedentary lifestyles are responsible for many of the chronic diseases we face today. Prescriptions from General Practitioners (GPs) represent a well-understood interaction between patient and doctor. An exercise prescription from a GP will remind the patient that PA is part of their treatment plan and should be adhered to with the same diligence with which their mediation is taken. GPs have access to a large proportion of the sedentary population and can play a key role in motivating people to become physically more active. However, very little is known about the exercise prescription practices, knowledge and attitudes towards exercise prescription of South African GPs. Aims: This study sought firstly to determine the practices, attitudes toward and knowledge on exercise prescription among General Practitioners in South Africa (SA) and secondly to identify possible barriers why South African GPs do not prescribe exercise. Methods: A self-administered, anonymous electronic questionnaire was developed according to guidelines from literature to assess the practices, attitudes toward and knowledge on exercise prescription among GPs in South Africa. The questionnaire was circulated to a database of GPs via email on three separate occasions, two weeks apart and was completed by a total of 349 GPs. The outcomes measures consisted of the demographic information, training histories, practices of general practitioners regarding exercise prescription, attitudes of doctors towards exercise prescription as well as their attitudes toward the importance of exercise as preventative modality for chronic diseases. Knowledge on benefits, risk factors and contraindications regarding exercise prescription, as well as knowledge of doctors regarding recommendation and formulation of exercise prescriptions were also assessed. Results: The response rate from this study was considerably lower compared to the average response rate reported for online questionnaires. Despite the fact that a purposeful attempt was made to draw the participants’ attention to the fact that exercise prescription does not involve casual advice such as “you should stop smoking and exercise more”, substantially higher prescription rates (90.9%) were reported by the participants from this study compared to those from international literature. Possible reasons for these disparities between local and international findings may not only lie in possible self-report bias, but also in the different barriers to exercise prescription reported by the South African doctors compared to the international literature. A minority (18.0%) of the participants felt that exercise prescription will be too time consuming, while almost half (46.0%) of the non-prescribing doctors from this study reported a lack of confidence in their knowledge to be able to prescribe exercise. Approximately 98% of the GPs believed that it should be part of their practice to prescribe exercise to their patients, despite the fact that very few were familiar with the knowledge and safety principles inherent to a safe and effective exercise prescription. The knowledge of the GPs in this study regarding recommendations for physical activity and the formulation of an exercise prescription was poor. Conclusion: Although general practitioners reported a fairly high incidence of exercise prescription, insufficient knowledge about not only exercise prescription, but also lifestyle modifications were noticed. Barriers to exercise prescription different from international literature and should be investigated further. A lack in confidence and knowledge to enable safe and effective exercise prescription highlights a need to rethink the undergraduate medical curricula. The good news resulting from this study is the positive attitude from the medical practitioners and their acknowledgement of the ability of physical activity, in the form of exercise training, to prevent the burden of non-communicable diseases.Item Open Access Epidemiology of tackle injuries in professional rugby(University of the Free State, 2013-01) Strauss, Georg Linde; Holtzhausen, L. J.Objectives: Rugby union is a contact sport with a high injury rate. The tackle situation in rugby union is the cause of most injuries. The aim of this study was to investigate biomechanical aspects of the tackle in professional rugby to identify possible mechanisms of injury in the tackle. From this recommendations can be made to make the tackle safer. Methods: Video material from six Super 14 rugby matches involving the Cheetahs was analysed. The number of tackles (20) resulting in injury to a player was reported and nine further associated factors explored by determining differences using 95% confidence intervals. Significance was set at p = 0.05 and calculated from the proportional number of injuries from each category relative to the total number of tackles made. An odds ratio was calculated to determine practical significance where clinical significance could not be found. A total number of 744 tackles were analysed which occurred during 480 minutes of rugby accounting for 7200 player minutes. Results: From the 744 tackles that were made or received, 20 (2.7%) tackles resulted in injury, accounting to 167 tackle injuries per 1000 player match hours. The study found that significantly more injuries (p = 0.048) were sustained by tacklers performing a tackle in the attacking 22m compared to the other field positions. Most of the tackles occurred in Channel 2+ (n = 622, 83.6%) which resulted to the vast majority of tackles occurring in this game situation. Seventeen (85.0%) of the 20 injuries were sustained during Channel 2+ play, of which 13 (65.0%) ball carriers and 4 (20.0%) tacklers were injured. This had an odds ratio with practical significance. The body part hit in the tackle was often not the body part injured. Muscle contusions were the most common type of injury. Conclusions: A high incidence of tackle injuries was recorded. The tackle remains the most dangerous phase of play in rugby union. Different biomechanical aspects occur in the tackle that contribute to injury. The field position where a tackle takes place was found to be an important risk factor in the cause of injury. Front-on tackles and high impact vectors are associated with increased injury rates. The channel of play was also an important area where ball carriers sustained injuries. Factors influencing the tackle situation in certain areas of the field and certain channels of play can be made safer by placing emphasis on mental coaching, composure in pressure situations and maintaining the correct playing and tackle techniques to prevent tackle injuries in these areas and channels of play. Further research on these aspects is recommended.Item Open Access Screening tools for developmental coordination disorder in grade 1 learners(University of the Free State, 2015-08-07) Buys, Aletta Margaretha; De Milander, M.; Coetzee, F. F.English: Background: One of the challenges associated with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is finding the appropriate method of identifying motor difficulties. Motor proficiency tests are used to identify children with motor difficulties; however, it seems that questionnaire-based assessments may be more practical for screening purposes. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children Checklist (MABC-Checklist) has been used as a screening tool to identify motor difficulties in children especially when completed by parents and teachers. Although parents and teachers can identify children with motor difficulties using screening tools, it is still not clear which screening test is the best to use. The original MABC-Checklist (1992) was revised in 2007 and research available on the revised edition (MABC-Checklist-2) is limited indicating that more studies on the MABC-Checklist-2 when completed by parents and teachers are needed. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the agreement between identifying motor difficulties with the Movement Assessment Battery for Children second edition Performance Test (MABC-2) and the identifying of motor difficulties with the MABC-Checklist-2 when completed by (i) their parents as well as (ii) their teachers. Methods: This study was done using sampling data and a quantitative research method (i.e. questionnaire). Three-hundred and twenty three learners in Grade 1 between the ages of 5 and 8 years participated in this study. The study consists of n=140 boys (43%) and n=183 girls (57%) of various ethnic groups, which consisted of n=193 Caucasian (59.75%, 6.5 years, SD=0.55), n=120 Black (37.15%, 6.2 years, SD=0.4), n=9 Mixed race (2.79%, 6.4 years, SD=0.5) and n=1 Hispanic (0.31%). A total of three hundred and twenty three parents (n=323) and twenty three teachers (n=23) also took part in the study. The MABC-2 Performance Test was used to determine motor difficulties and DCD in the children. The MABC-Checklist-2 was used by the parents and teachers to identify children with and without motor difficulties. The total test score results of the MABC-2 Performance Test were compared with the total test score results of the MABC-Checklist-2 completed by the parents and teachers. Data from the questionnaires were captured electronically by the researcher on a data form using Microsoft Excel. Further analysis was done by a statistician using SAS Version 9.2. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for categorical data. Medians and percentiles were calculated for numerical data. The measure of agreement with help from the Kappa (k)-coefficient were used to explore the aim. The coefficient is known as the Cohen’s Kappa and it measures inter-judge agreement. Results: The results indicated that out of the 47 children identified with motor difficulties (moderate motor difficulties, n=21, and severe motor difficulties, n=26) by the MABC-2 Performance Test, 15 of these children were also identified with motor difficulties (moderate motor difficulties, n=2; and severe motor difficulties, n=13) by the parent completed MABC-Checklist-2 indicating a sensitivity of 31.9% (15/47). With regard to specificity there were 276 children identified with no motor difficulties with the MABC-2 Performance Test, whereas 197 (71.4%) of these children were also identified without motor difficulties with the MABC-Checklist-2 completed by the parents. Therefore, the specificity between the MABC-2 Performance Test and the parent completed MABC-Checklist-2 was 71.4% (197/276). The (k)-coefficient of 0.143 indicated that only 14.3% agreement between the two assessments were present after correcting for chance and show that the agreement of the two assessments is not high when completed by parents. Results with regard to the teachers indicated that out of the 47 children identified by the MABC-2 Performance Test with motor difficulties (moderate motor difficulties, n=21; and severe motor difficulties, n=24), 16 of these children were also identified with motor difficulties (moderate motor difficulties, n=4; and severe motor difficulties, n=12) by the teacher that completed the MABC-Checklist-2 indicating a sensitivity of 35.6% (16/45). When analysing the specificity there was 276 children identified with no motor difficulties using the MABC-2 Performance Test whereas 193 (72.6%) of these children were also identified with no motor difficulties by the MABC-Checklist-2 completed by teachers. Therefore the specificity between the MABC-2 Performance Test and the teacher completed MABC-Checklist-2 is 72.6% (193/266). The (k)-coefficient of 0.161 reveal that only 16.1% agreement between the two assessments were present after correcting for chance and reveal that the agreement between the two assessments is low when completed by teachers. Conclusion: Several screening tests and questionnaires have been developed to gather information with regard to motor performance of children specifically from parents and teachers. However, studies using parents’ and teachers’ reports as well as the results in this study have produced conflicting results, thus it is still not clear which screening test is the best to use and whether parents and teachers both need to be used to screen a child.Item Open Access An evaluation of the mental skills, nutritional preferences and anthropometric characteristics of the pro junior under 20 surfers in the 2008 Billabong Junior Series in South Africa(University of the Free State, 2012-01) Oosthuizen, F. P.; Holtzhausen, L.Shortboard surfing continues to increase in popularity. In South Africa, surfing is not yet truly a profession. Successful u/20 surfers are rewarded with lucrative sponsorships, prize money and selection for national surf teams. For many competitive u/20 surfers, their ultimate goal is to qualify for the lucrative World Qualifying Series (WQS) and World Championship Tour (WCT). The competitive junior surfer and his support team (family, coach, and sponsors) invest a lot of time, commitment and money in striving for success. Whilst the u/20 surfer strives for quality water time in all conditions, he will benefit should his support staff be well informed about mental skills and nutrition. The aim of this research was to identify variables which can influence the surfer’s ability to perform consistently at a higher level of competition. Past research in surfing has shown that, although smaller in stature than other elite sportsmen, physical traits in surfing are less important than mental skills and correct nutrition. 107 Surfers entered in the 2008 Billabong Junior Series of 5 contests around South Africa. 41 Of these surfers participated in this research. Their anthropometric variables namely height, mass, body density, body mass index and % fat were recorded. Waist to hip, chest to waist and chest to hip ratios were measured. The Ottawa Mental Skills Assessment Tool was used to assess mental skills and a 24 hour dietary recall questionnaire was completed. The main findings were that with a shorter stature, the surfers chose a sport which suited their physique best. The mental skills of commitment self-confidence and goal setting scored high, but stress reactions and refocusing skills were poor. At the contest venues, the food and fluid available determined their diet. They had no definite pre heat, inter heat or post heat eating plans. We concluded that mental skills and correct nutrition are two factors which a competitive surfer can utilize to improve their surfing performance. We recommend that a 12 variable progressive forward discriminant analysis be applied to talent identification in surfing, as also to identify and to improve necessary skills which are lacking in the competitive u/20 surfer.Item Open Access Prevalence and blood profile analysis of South African gold-miners working underground who present with exercise-associated muscle cramps at work(University of the Free State, 2015-01) De Wet, R.; Holtzhausen, L.; Schoeman, M.Background: Almost a hundred years after the first reports on the possible aetiology of muscle cramping in mine workers, the debate on the mechanism and contributing factors to the development of cramping rages on and we are no closer to preventing cramping. The current theories of the “Electrolyte depletion and Dehydration model” or “Salty Sweat” with the addition of fatigue (Bergeron, 2003; Eichner, 2007; Armstrong, et al., 2007) and the current, and more accepted “Altered Neuromuscular Control” hypotheses (Schwellnus, 2008) are still polarising the debate surrounding EAMC. Aims: The aim of this study was not to prove or disprove any of the current theories surrounding EAMC. This study’s aims were to describe the prevalence and certain environmental, biochemical and haematological variables in gold miners working underground who presented with exercise-associated muscle cramps (EAMC) at work. It further aimed to formulate or describe the ‘normal’ profile of haematological and biochemical changes during a shift, in the mining population. This “normal” control data were also generated to assist in the interpretation of the haematological and biochemical variables from the group who presented with EAMC. Methods: This study consisted of two parts: Part 1 was a retrospective descriptive study of the blood profiles of underground mine workers who presented with EAMC, together with biological factors relating to these workers. The procedure for data collection for the cramp group was to extract routine data from the clinical notes of miners who presented to the medical stations with EAMC. Part 2 was a prospective study consisting of a collection of blood-samples, before and after an 8 hour shift (2 hours commuting and 6 hours of physical labour), on a volunteer group of healthy underground mine workers not presenting with cramps. The data were sent for statistical analyses. Due to the exploratory nature of this study, descriptive statistics were primarily used to report the findings. Trends were observed and expanded on based on available literature and specialist consultation. Results: Due to the large amount of data generated by the study, the discussion of the results was presented under four main category headings. These categories were chosen following a literature review and specialist consultation on the significant findings from the study. These categories were hydration and electrolyte disturbances, muscle damage, muscle fatigue and inflammation. The “normal” or control participants were well to slightly over hydrated individuals, with progressive muscle injury (increased CK levels, but no increase in myoglobin) during a working week. The participants experience muscle fatigue with a slight WCC reaction as a result of his daily labours. The individual mostly worked in cramped spaces with heavy and sometimes vibrating tools or walked long distances or stood for long periods of time. They were also able to regulate their body temperature and homeostasis with minimal stress on their liver and kidneys. The participants who presented with EAMC mainly performed heavy physical labour but there were also the group that remained in cramped positions for prolonged periods. They showed possible signs of dehydration, muscle fatigue, muscle damage (raised myoglobin and CK levels), and inflammation. Conclusion: There seems to be an unnecessary polarisation between those for and those against the inclusion of electrolyte and dehydration into the aetiology of EAMC. One of the main arguments against the inclusion of these hypotheses (electrolyte & dehydration) is that the proponents basically fail to link how a systemic abnormality may cause a local disruption in homeostasis. This is a sound argument if we consider electrolyte disturbances and dehydration to be the sole cause of cramping. One should rather see this as part of a collective subset of contributing factors that each add to priming the body’s muscles for developing cramps. Single or groups of muscles that do then cramp are being triggered to cramp in the “primed” environment by factors such as fatigue.Item Open Access Injury and illness profiles during the 2014 South African ironman ultra-distance triathlon(University of the Free State, 2015-06) Smit, Charles Reinecke; Holtzhausen, L. J.; Von Hagen, K.Background: The Ironman South Africa (IMSA) is one of 28 Ironman races worldwide and is one of the most prominent events on the South African sports calendar. The 2014 event was held on the 6th of April in the city of Port Elizabeth in Nelson Mandela Bay. Even though Ironman events are among the most popular long distance triathlons worldwide, there is a need for ongoing data gathering regarding the injuries and illness profiles of athletes during events. The importance of ongoing research is highlighted by the fact that these ultra-distance athletes are exposed to environmental conditions and physiological demands in excess of those that athletes participating in individual sporting events of similar duration experience. Consequently such an event requires a wellorganised medical and emergency system. Aim:The aim of this study was to analyse the medical information of athletes that received medical attention at the 2014 Ironman South Africa (IMSA) event (N=179). Demographic information and medical histories of the athletes that participated in the event were also collected. A detailed report of the weather conditions on race day was included as additional information in this study. The IMSA medical plan was also reviewed to analyse the treatment plans, medical resources and medical personnel that provided care at the event. Method: The study was a retrospective, cross-sectional study. Athletes that presented for medical attention and their related medical notes recorded as standard procedure during the 2014 IMSA event were included in this study. This study undertook to use the information by transferring the data recorded in the medical notes to a data collection form developed for this study. The captured data was then coded and analysed. Descriptive statistics for the measures of central tendency presenting frequency, percentages, means and averages were calculated. Results and Recommendations: Of the 2331 athletes who started the race8% required medical attention. This number is slightly lower than data documented for recent previous IMSA events. At the 2014 event weather conditions were mild and likely played a role in a somewhat lower incidence of injury and illness among the participants. However, the incidence is comparative with international data documented for international Ironman and other triathlon events. IMSA has seen a significant increase in participants and a 1% increase in female participation. Although analysis of the data did not find a statistically significant difference for gender between the group of athletes that did not require any medical attention on race day and the group of athletes that did require medical attention, the trend of an increasing number of female participants needs to be considered in future planning. A statistically significant difference was found for age between the group of athletes requiring medical attention and those athletes that did not. Younger athletes between the ages of 18 and24 years had the largest number of injuries (15%), followed by athletes in the 25-29 year age group (13%). IMSA also recorded an increase in novice participation in 2014 of almost 12% from the previous year. This information, together with the incidence of injury among younger athletes found in this study also deserves further consideration. Race participants, especially novice athletes, should be clearly advised on conditions that may exacerbate heat illnesses such as obesity, lower levels of fitness, dehydration, lack of acclimatisation, a previous history of heat stroke, sleep deprivation, certain medications including diuretics and antidepressants, and sweat gland dysfunction or sunburn. Exercise/exertion related diagnoses were made in 64% of these athletes, with 72 cases of Exercise Associated Collapse (EAC)/hypotension being diagnosed. This finding is supported by literature in which EAC is consistently listed as one of the most commonly encountered medical problems during Ironman and other endurance events. A significant finding of this study also supports existing literature highlighting pre-existing injuries and medical disorders as important factors in identifying the at-risk athlete with 19% of those athletes that received medical attention during the race were on chronic medication. The prevalent use of NSAIDs both before and during the event is another significant finding of this study. This finding may highlight an important need for more comprehensive preparticipation screening and continuous medical education among athletes. Specifically pre-participation screening, the viability of pre-race seminars, and comprehensive medical education by way of more effective and detailed communication with both medical personnel and race entrants needs to be investigated.Item Open Access Die epidemiologie van beserings by Suid-Afrikaanse netbalspelers(University of the Free State, 2010-09) Langeveld, Emile; Coetzee, F. F.; Holtzhausen, L. J.English: Netball is a sport that places high physical demands on players. Quick acceleration, changing of direction, high jumps to receive a ball or to intercept an opponent’s pass is some of the tasks that players are required to perform. These requirements leave the players vulnerable to injury. From international studies it is clear that netball players have an increased risk to sustain injuries to the lower limbs. The ankle is the joint most likely to be effected. Injuries to the ankle can account for more than 80% of all netball injuries. The ligaments are the most commonly injured structures. Due to a lack of literature on injuries in South-African netball players, injury patterns in South-Africa cannot be compared to international trends. Epidemiological studies provide the proof on which risks for specific sporting codes are assessed as well as the success of therapeutic intervention programs. The aim of the study was therefore to assess the incidence and severity of injuries in a cohort of elite South-African netball players. The subjects were all the players (n = 1280) that participated in three elite netball tournaments during the 2009 season. The medical staff of each team completed a questionnaire for each player that sustained an injury during the three tournaments. The completed questionnaires were collected at the adjournment of each days play. For those players whose teams did not have their own medical officer, completed questionnaires were collected from the First Aid station where the players received medical attention. Most injuries occurred to the ankle joint (36%) followed by the knee (18%) and injuries to the fingers, hand and wrist (15%). There was a high total injury rate of 500.7 injuries per 1000 playing hours, but the severity of injuries were low, with the majority of the participants being able to continue play or being available for the next match. In order to reduce the amount of injuries to the lower extremities it is recommended that netball players follow a structured program aimed to enhance proprioception and optimize biomechanical execution of functional movement patterns. These exercises should not only be done as part of the pre-season program but continued throughout the remainder of the season.Item Open Access The effects of weight training on pain relief and fatique in patients with fibromyalgia(University of the Free State, 2014-01) Coetzer, Gerhardus; Coetzee, F. F.; Holtzhausen, L.Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of weight training on pain relief and fatigue in patients with fibromyalgia (FM). Methods: This study was a randomized control study on patients diagnosed with FM. The group of FM patients was subjected to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Randomization was done on the patients who have met the inclusion criteria by the Department of Biostatistics at the University of The Free State. The experimental group was subjected to a training programme under supervision while the control group received verbal instructions to follow a training programme and the benefits thereof (Glombiewski et al., 2010), but did not undergo supervised training. The training period was 12 weeks. The subjects maintained their ordinary daily chores and physical activity. The experimental group started a supervised strength training period. Training was carried out 3 times a week and. During the first 3 weeks patients started with 8 - 12 repetitions for each set, with loads of 40 – 60% of the one repetition maximum (1 RM) and continued during the next 4 weeks with 10 – 12 repetitions with loads of 60 – 70% of 1 RM. Subsequently, during week 8 – 12 the number of repetitions was 10 for each set with loads of 60 – 80% of 1 RM. In addition to the muscle strengthening exercises each session ended with 5 – 10 minutes of core strengthening. All training sessions included warm up and cool down exercises using either a treadmill or bicycle ergometer and muscle stretching. Moreover, the subjects continued their ordinary chores and physical activities. The patients did a 15 minute warm up consisting of 10 minutes light aerobic work followed by 30 – 40 minutes weight training followed by 10 – 15 minutes of cool down. The programme differed from a Monday, to a Wednesday, to a Friday, where different muscle groups were targeted by the weight training. Results: The anthropometric characteristics in the current study for the exercise and control group are very similar. The Student T-Test was used to test for significant differences between the control and experimental group Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) scores over the 12 weeks. A 95% confidence interval was used to determine the difference between the two groups. The confidence interval shows that there is no statistical difference between the FM experimental (FMT) and FM control group (FMC). The following variable, V = FIQ: W4-W1 is where the FIQ score of week 4 were subtracted from week 1. No statistical difference (p<0.05) was observed between the control and the exersice group between week 1 and 4. The exercise group’s progress was statistically better (p<0.05) than control group in week 4 - 8. At week 8 the FMT group’s fibromyalgia impact questionnaire score median was 39 compared to the FMC group’s median of 63. Unfortunately, the exercise group deteriorated statistically significant (p<0.05) in the FIQ scores compared to control group improvement from week 8 – 12. Lastly, there was no statistical difference (p<0.05) between week 1 and week 12 between the FM control group and the exersise group regarding improvement of symptoms as reported in the FM impact questionnaire. Conclusions: It is still unclear what combination of type, intensity and duration of exercise treatment works best in the treatment of FM. It is important to recognize that in the case of a chronic pain disorder like FM, treatment must be focused not just on immediate symptom relief but also on maintaining long term lifestyle behaviour. As long as FM aetiology remains unclear, there is a need to explore mediating variables that can be used to intervene in order to ameliorate symptoms. Research efforts must continue to explore methods to relieve symptoms short term and support ongoing long term behaviour change to improve functioning and enhance the quality of life for patients with FM.Item Open Access A comparison of the mental toughness of players in team and individual sport during periodization(University of the Free State, 2015-02) Janse van Rensburg, Chrisna; Coetzee, F. F.; Schoeman, R.English: The contribution of psychological skills on performance enhancement and mental toughness attributes and development is still limited within the sport context, even though it has numerously been proven to be an important factor that influences the success of sport achievement outcomes. No concise agreement towards the prescription of the development and improvement of mental toughness has been designed in order to improve the athletes’ mental toughness during their annual training programs. The aim of this dissertation was to explore the differences in mental toughness of rugby players during periodization phases, as well as the differences between the rugby forwards’ and backs’ mental toughness. The differences between the mental toughness of golf players and rugby players have also been explored during periodization phases. Data from rugby players and golf players, who participate in sport on a university and regional level, had been obtained by means of the Psychological Performance Inventory that was completed by all players during the preparatory, competition, and transition periodization phases. Differences in mental toughness of rugby players between preparatory, competition and transition periodization phases were analysed using a repeated measures mixed linear model with periodization phase, team and group (forwards versus backs) as fixed effects, and fitting an unstructured covariance matrix to the repeated measures of mental toughness. From this model, mean values for each group and phase, as well as differences between mean values between periodization phases together with associated p-values and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. The data on mental toughness were compared between rugby players and golf players through a one-way analysis of variance with group (rugby vs golf) as factor, allowing for different residual variances for the two groups. The results indicated that significant differences had been found amongst rugby players with regards to their attitude control (p=0.00) that revealed significantly higher values during competition phase than during the preparation phase. When the components of mental toughness had been compared for the competition phase and the transition phase, significant differences were found for overall mental toughness (p=0.01), motivation (p=0.04), and attitude control (p=0.05), with the latter phase having scored lower than the competition phase. No significant differences were found between the mental toughness components of the preparation phase compared to the transition phase. The mental toughness of forwards and backs revealed no significant differences, although a tendency occurred where the backs obtained higher mean values for all of the mental toughness components. Significant differences had only been found for negative energy control between the golf players and rugby players. Negative energy control differed significantly (p=0.03) where the golf players portrayed much better values during the transition periodization phase than the rugby players’ negative energy control values. This is the first study designed to explore mental toughness of rugby players and golf players during periodization phases, and could be the foundation for future studies to the further investigate which mental toughness components seems to be dominant during specific periodization phases – and which components still have room for improvement, while comparing the physical performances and parameters of the athletes as well – in order to facilitate with the development of training guidelines that enhances athletes’ performances and help them to achieve their goals.Item Open Access Physiological demands and time-motion analysis of simulated elite karate kumite matches(University of the Free State, 2015-01) Le Roux, Elsabé; Coetzee, F. F.; Jansen van Rensburg, C. J.English: Introduction: Since competition has become the focal point of athletic training and the development of more tournament competitions on both national and international levels, the popularity of karate is ever increasing. No single performance characteristic dominates in combat sports and success requires a mixture of technique, strength, aerobic fitness, power and speed. Thus it has come to light that without proper investigation of the physiological demands imposed on an athlete during a competition situation, it would be unlikely that the athlete will develop to his or her full potential. Objectives: The objectives of this study were: - to identify the various physiological demands placed on the athlete during a simulated karate kumite competition situation; - to conduct a time-motion analysis to determine the characteristics of the karate kumite matches; - to determine the physiological demands imposed on the athlete during simulated competition with regards to the body’s energy systems, heart rate response to the fight situation, breathing rates and core temperature. Methods: For this study, twelve (n=12) elite male karate athletes were recruited from the Free State Karate High Performance Squad. Selected tests were performed, including, anthropometry, a graded maximal effort test (VO2max) and a simulated kumite competition. The competition consisted of six rounds with progressively decreasing set recovery periods in between. During the simulated competition, the heart rate, breathing rate and estimated body core temperature were recorded by the Zephyr BioHarnessTM 3 System. All of the kumite matches were video recorded and a time-motion analysis was conducted with the use of Dartfish Software 6, to determine the match characteristics. All physiological and time-motion data were then analysed separately, using a repeated measurements analysis of variance (ANOVA) model with “round” as fixed effect. This analysis excluded the data regarding the techniques scored, which was analysed by a generalized linear model with a Poisson error distribution and logarithmic link function. Results: Athletes achieved a higher HRmax during the simulated kumite matches than during the graded maximal effort test (187.5 < 190.8 bpm). There was a 55.45% aerobic and 44.55% anaerobic energy system contribution during the respective kumite matches, with an effort-to-rest ratio of ~1.5:1. A statistical significant difference (P < 0.05) was found between rounds regarding the means calculated for the mean HR during the fight (F= 7.05; P= 0.03). Fifty-two percent (52%) of all the techniques scored were attributed to upper limb techniques and 48% to the lower limbs. The same values were recorded with regard to the scoring of offensive versus defensive techniques. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between rounds with respect to the mean counts of techniques used. Conclusion: A karate kumite match can be characterized as a high-intensity activity with regards to physiological variables, where athletes are subjected to maximal cardiovascular responses. It is thus advisable that coaches remain focussed on the technical and tactical aspects of training and that conditioning specialists focus more on improving the athletes’ ability to sustain high-intensity activities during conditioning sessions.Item Open Access Student reflections on the attainment of competencies in a community service-learning module in Human Movement Science(University of the Free State, 2010-10) Coetzee, Brenda Audrey; Bloemhoff, H. J.; Naude, L.The mission of the University of the Free State (UFS, 2010) is the pursuit of scholarship as embodied in the creation, integration, application and transmission of knowledge. This pursuit is acknowledged by promoting, among other things, community service and the development of the total student as part of the University’s academic culture. One of the reasons for having students participate in community service-learning (CSL) modules is that these modules address two components of the University’s mission: community service and the development of the total student. This links with the required transformation stipulated in the White Paper on the Transformation of Higher Education of 1997 (SA, 1997: 7–8). Many claims have been made as to the benefits students derive from participation in CSL modules (Astin & Sax, 1998; Bringle & Hatcher, 1996; Furco, 2002). These benefits can be divided into personal, interpersonal, academic and social benefits. Personal benefits include self-efficacy, self-knowledge, personal development (Simons & Cleary, 2006) as well as improved leadership skills, relationship skills and the definition of personal strengths and weaknesses (Mouton & Wildschut, 2005). Interpersonal benefits include interpersonal development, problem-solving skills (Simons & Cleary, 2006), working more effectively with others (Furco, 2002), awareness of cultural differences and awareness of cultural stereotypes (Mouton & Wildschut, 2005). Academic benefits include academic development, a better appreciation of academic work (Furco, 2002), the application of theory that improves skills such as critical observation, analysis and application (Winfield, 2005), as well as an increased understanding of the theoretical aspects (Erasmus & Jaftha, 2005). Social benefits include involvement in the community (Furco, 2002) and an increased awareness of community life and challenges (Erasmus & Jaftha, 2005). The literature highlights the diverse benefits of participating in CSL modules. However, the question arises whether the benefits derived are related to the competencies required by a person entering the recreation industry. The purpose of the study was to determine which competencies, if any, as seen from the students’ perspective, increased by participating in the CSL module offered by the Department of Exercise and Sports Sciences at the University of the Free State. The research was undertaken from a phenomenological viewpoint. Through a literature and job analysis study the competencies required in the recreation industry were identified. It was then determined what competencies students thought they would be able to gain by doing the module. Then the competencies that students perceived to have gained during the CSL module were obtained through student reflections. This data was then compared to the literature and job analysis information to determine how the perceived competencies gained by students through the CSL module relate to the competencies needed by a recreation specialist. Multimethod strategies of data collection were used. A literature study and a web search were undertaken to determine the required competencies. The nominal group technique (NGT) was used to determine students’ perceptions of competencies required. Structured and unstructured reflection and the NGT of interviewing were employed to determine the perceived gain of competencies. With regard to the competencies identified (through literature, job descriptions and student perceptions) that would be required in the recreation industry, results showed that students did indeed feel that their competencies increased. Four main themes were identified: communication, management skills, group dynamics and cultural diversity and self-evaluation. The findings indicate that CSL should be considered by lecturers in recreation as a pedagogical tool to impart competencies that are difficult, if not impossible, to teach to students in the normal classroom setup. When selecting CSL as an educational mode during the planning and conceptualisation of the module, it should be ensured that the module is designed in such a way that it imparts specific competencies that are required in the recreation industry.