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Background and Aim: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is highly effective at reducing lifetime risk of both incidence of and death from CRC. The major risk reduction follows the index colonoscopy for a patient, yet many people have further benefits from having further surveillance colonoscopy(s). Standard practice of hospitals around Australia with regard to recall management and the resource implications of this are poorly documented. Method(s): We undertook a convenience sample survey of Australian teaching hospitals with regard to colonoscopy recall practices for CRC/polyp surveillance, alongside a resource estimate of managing a proactive recall list at a single site. Surveillance colonoscopies due for processing in May 2019 were collated. Time required for the administration of a straightforward recall was acquired from a prior internal audit. In the absence of specific data regarding time for administration of "complex" recalls, the May 2019 worklist was evaluated for both medical and administrative contributory factors. Data were collected on age at recall, recall intervals and indications, comorbidity profiles, anesthetic requirements, and documented administrative barriers. Inflammatory bowel disease-specific surveillance activity was excluded. Result(s): Of 15 hospitals surveyed, 10 (hospitals A-J) responded: three Victorian, four in New South Wales, two South Australian, and one in Queensland. These hospitals provide cover for several million individuals. Huge variation in practice was found, with a minority providing a comprehensive recall service. Only three hospitals (A, H, and J) have a formal recall system; six hospitals (C-G and J) provide surveillance recommendations to general practitioners/patients, who subsequently assume responsibility for re-referral to the service; two hospitals (B and I) have no formal established system for approach to colonoscopy recalls; and two hospitals (F and H) employ nurses to assist in determining appropriate recall

Background and Aim: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is highly effective at reducing lifetime risk of both incidence of and death from CRC. The major risk reduction follows the index colonoscopy for a patient, yet many people have further benefits from having further surveillance colonoscopy(s). Standard practice of hospitals around Australia with regard to recall management and the resource implications of this are poorly documented. Method(s): We undertook a convenience sample survey of Australian teaching hospitals with regard to colonoscopy recall practices for CRC/polyp surveillance, alongside a resource estimate of managing a proactive recall list at a single site. Surveillance colonoscopies due for processing in May 2019 were collated. Time required for the administration of a straightforward recall was acquired from a prior internal audit. In the absence of specific data regarding time for administration of "complex" recalls, the May 2019 worklist was evaluated for both medical and administrative contributory factors. Data were collected on age at recall, recall intervals and indications, comorbidity profiles, anesthetic requirements, and documented administrative barriers. Inflammatory bowel disease-specific surveillance activity was excluded. Result(s): Of 15 hospitals surveyed, 10 (hospitals A-J) responded: three Victorian, four in New South Wales, two South Australian, and one in Queensland. These hospitals provide cover for several million individuals. Huge variation in practice was found, with a minority providing a comprehensive recall service. Only three hospitals (A, H, and J) have a formal recall system; six hospitals (C-G and J) provide surveillance recommendations to general practitioners/patients, who subsequently assume responsibility for re-referral to the service; two hospitals (B and I) have no formal established system for approach to colonoscopy recalls; and two hospitals (F and H) employ nurses to assist in determining appropriate recall

Background: Concussion is one the most frequently reported injuries among rugby players. Potential dangerous long term side-effects such as neurological deficits and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), explain why concussion is currently an extensively debated topic in the media. The largest part of South Africa’s rugby playing population consists of amateur players. Anecdotal evidence suggest that only a very limited proportion of amateur clubs and schools offer medical assistance at matches or practices, generally due to a lack of funding. BokSmart currently leans towards educating coaches and referees to recognize concussion signs and symptoms and to remove concussed players from the field. However, in a country where field side medical assistance is scarce, the players themselves can play a pivotal role to report possible concussions to their coach or the referee. Currently, no rugby safety management programme is focussing on concussion education among South African rugby players. Further research on concussion knowledge among rugby players are warranted to generate benchmark data needed to inform development and motivate implementation of educational programmes among rugby players, as an addition to the current BokSmart programme. Aims: To evaluate the knowledge on concussion and attitudes/behaviours regarding concussion and return to play (RTP) among South African amateur high school and club rugby players. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study design was used to achieve the aims. The participants (n = 294) were divided into two groups namely; junior amateur high school (JAHS) (n = 216) and senior amateur club (SAC) (n = 78) rugby players. All participants completed the modified Rosenbaum Concussion Knowledge and Attitudes Survey – Student Version (RoCKAS-ST) in order to evaluate their concussion knowledge and attitudes/behaviours regarding concussion and RTP. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise continuous data with means and standard de

Female recreational runners are more prone to injuries than their male counterparts. Considering the associated risk for sustaining sport-related injuries with impaired core proprioception and the effect pregnancy has on females’ core structures, this study aimed to investigate the trunk motor control in parous and nulligravid female recreational runners. A descriptive cross sectional, case-control study was conducted and 29 female recreational runners were assessed. Eight parous participants were matched with eight participants from the nulligravid group. The matched nulligravid participants were significantly younger [95% CI: - 16 ; - 1] compared to the parous group and no significant difference [95% CI: - 45.9% ; 22.8%] was seen in comparison of sport-related injuries. When testing the muscle activation and endurance of the pelvic floor muscles, the nulligravid group performed better during the surface electromyography test, although no difference was found during the PERFECT test. No statistical significance was found between groups during the surface electromyography test for muscle activity of the Transverse Abdominis muscle [95% CI: - 201.3 ; 504.5], activation of local stabilisers using the pressure biofeedback unit test [95% CI: - 1 ; 1] as well as the Sahrmann test [95% CI: - 2.5 ; 2] to assess global mobility. The parous group tended to perform better during the sport specific plank test, to assess global core muscle function, but in contrast performed weaker in the active straight leg raise test used to assess global stability. During the single leg stand test as well as the unilateral squat (balance and control) no significant difference was found between groups. No significant difference was found between the parous and nulligravid group regarding injuries and only a few tests of trunk motor control showed statistical significant differences between the groups. Due to the small sample size of the matched groups and limited statistical differences that

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

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

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 kn

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

This paper describes experiences with current hearth designs and measures taken for hearth life extension at the Ispat Inland No.7 and South Africa Newcastle No.5 blast furnaces. The hearth monitoring system at the Newcastle plant is described and the philosophy of recent Mittal Steel hearth re-designs discussed., This paper describes experiences with current hearth designs and measures taken for hearth life extension at the Ispat Inland No.7 and South Africa Newcastle No.5 blast furnaces. The hearth monitoring system at the Newcastle plant is described and the philosophy of recent Mittal Steel hearth re-designs discussed.