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OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to explore the training-related knowledge, beliefs, and practices of athletes and the influence of lockdowns in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). METHODS: Athletes (n = 12,526, comprising 13% world class, 21% international, 36% national, 24% state, and 6% recreational) completed an online survey that was available from 17 May to 5 July 2020 and explored their training behaviors (training knowledge, beliefs/attitudes, and practices), including specific questions on their training intensity, frequency, and session duration before and during lockdown (March-June 2020). RESULTS: Overall, 85% of athletes wanted to "maintain training," and 79% disagreed with the statement that it is "okay to not train during lockdown," with a greater prevalence for both in higher-level athletes. In total, 60% of athletes considered "coaching by correspondence (remote coaching)" to be sufficient (highest amongst world-class athletes). During lockdown, < 40% were able to maintain sport-specific training (e.g., long endurance [39%], interval training [35%], weightlifting [33%], plyometric exercise [30%]) at pre-lockdown levels (higher among world-class, international, and national athletes), with most (83%) training for "general fitness and health maintenance" during lockdown. Athletes trained alone (80%) and focused on bodyweight (65%) and cardiovascular (59%) exercise/training during lockdown. Compared with before lockdown, most athletes reported reduced training frequency (from between five and seven sessions per week to four or fewer), shorter training sessions (from ≥ 60 to < 60 min), and lower sport-specific intensity (~ 38% reduction), irrespective of athlete classification. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19-related lockdowns saw marked reductions in athletic training specificity, intensity, frequency, and duration, with notable within-sample differences (by athlete clas

PURPOSE: To investigate differences in athletes' knowledge, beliefs, and training practices during COVID-19 lockdowns with reference to sport classification and sex. This work extends an initial descriptive evaluation focusing on athlete classification. METHODS: Athletes (12,526; 66% male; 142 countries) completed an online survey (May-July 2020) assessing knowledge, beliefs, and practices toward training. Sports were classified as team sports (45%), endurance (20%), power/technical (10%), combat (9%), aquatic (6%), recreational (4%), racquet (3%), precision (2%), parasports (1%), and others (1%). Further analysis by sex was performed. RESULTS: During lockdown, athletes practiced body-weight-based exercises routinely (67% females and 64% males), ranging from 50% (precision) to 78% (parasports). More sport-specific technical skills were performed in combat, parasports, and precision (∼50%) than other sports (∼35%). Most athletes (range: 50% [parasports] to 75% [endurance]) performed cardiorespiratory training (trivial sex differences). Compared to prelockdown, perceived training intensity was reduced by 29% to 41%, depending on sport (largest decline: ∼38% in team sports, unaffected by sex). Some athletes (range: 7%-49%) maintained their training intensity for strength, endurance, speed, plyometric, change-of-direction, and technical training. Athletes who previously trained ≥5 sessions per week reduced their volume (range: 18%-28%) during lockdown. The proportion of athletes (81%) training ≥60 min/session reduced by 31% to 43% during lockdown. Males and females had comparable moderate levels of training knowledge (56% vs 58%) and beliefs/attitudes (54% vs 56%). CONCLUSIONS: Changes in athletes' training practices were sport-specific, with few or no sex differences. Team-based sports were generally more susceptible to changes than individual sports. Policy makers should provide athletes with specific training arrangements and educational resources to facilitate remot

PURPOSE: To determine associations between thermal responses, medical events, performance, heat acclimation and health status during a World Athletics Championships in hot-humid conditions.METHODS: From 305 marathon and race-walk starters, 83 completed a preparticipation questionnaire on health and acclimation. Core (Tcore; ingestible pill) and skin (Tskin; thermal camera) temperatures were measured in-competition in 56 and 107 athletes, respectively. 70 in-race medical events were analysed retrospectively. Performance (% personal best) and did not finish (DNF) were extracted from official results.RESULTS: Peak Tcore during competition reached 39.6°C±0.6°C (maximum 41.1°C). Tskin decreased from 32.2°C±1.3°C to 31.0°C±1.4°C during the races (p 0.001). Tcore was not related to DNF (25% of starters) or medical events (p≥0.150), whereas Tskin, Tskin rate of decrease and Tcore-to-Tskin gradient were (p≤0.029). A third of the athletes reported symptoms in the 10 days preceding the event, mainly insomnia, diarrhoea and stomach pain, with diarrhoea (9% of athletes) increasing the risk of in-race medical events (71% vs 17%, p 0.001). Athletes (63%) who performed 5-30 days heat acclimation before the competition: ranked better (18±13 vs 28±13, p=0.009), displayed a lower peak Tcore (39.4°C±0.4°C vs 39.8°C±0.7°C, p=0.044) and larger in-race decrease in Tskin (-1.4°C±1.0°C vs -0.9°C±1.2°C, p=0.060), than non-acclimated athletes. Although not significant, they also showed lower DNF (19% vs 30%, p=0.273) and medical events (19% vs 32%, p=0.179).CONCLUSION: Tskin, Tskin rate of decrease and Tcore-to-Tskin gradient were important indicators of heat tolerance. While heat-acclimated athletes ranked better, recent diarrhoea represented a significant risk factor for DNF and in-race medical events.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to explore the training-related knowledge, beliefs, and practices of athletes and the influence of lockdowns in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). METHODS: Athletes (n = 12,526, comprising 13% world class, 21% international, 36% national, 24% state, and 6% recreational) completed an online survey that was available from 17 May to 5 July 2020 and explored their training behaviors (training knowledge, beliefs/attitudes, and practices), including specific questions on their training intensity, frequency, and session duration before and during lockdown (March-June 2020). RESULTS: Overall, 85% of athletes wanted to "maintain training," and 79% disagreed with the statement that it is "okay to not train during lockdown," with a greater prevalence for both in higher-level athletes. In total, 60% of athletes considered "coaching by correspondence (remote coaching)" to be sufficient (highest amongst world-class athletes). During lockdown, < 40% were able to maintain sport-specific training (e.g., long endurance [39%], interval training [35%], weightlifting [33%], plyometric exercise [30%]) at pre-lockdown levels (higher among world-class, international, and national athletes), with most (83%) training for "general fitness and health maintenance" during lockdown. Athletes trained alone (80%) and focused on bodyweight (65%) and cardiovascular (59%) exercise/training during lockdown. Compared with before lockdown, most athletes reported reduced training frequency (from between five and seven sessions per week to four or fewer), shorter training sessions (from ≥ 60 to < 60 min), and lower sport-specific intensity (~ 38% reduction), irrespective of athlete classification. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19-related lockdowns saw marked reductions in athletic training specificity, intensity, frequency, and duration, with notable within-sample differences (by athlete clas

The use of sports supplements and banned substances amongst adolescent athletes is high. The literature review reveals that supplement and banned substance use is a complex health and social issue. Athletes use supplements in the belief that it improves performance in various ways, although there is a lack of scientific evidence of the efficacy and safety of nutritional supplements. Health risks exist with regard to using supplements due to lack of quality control and contamination with banned or dangerous substances. Contamination can cause inadvertent doping offences. A continuum from supplement use to banned substance and recreational drug use was identified. The use of banned substances have pronounced health, psychological and socio-ethical risks. The risk of getting ostracised for a doping offence is probably limited to elite sports. Banned substance use is driven by the belief that others are using it and not following suit reduces the chances of athletic success. Especially adolescents are vulnerable to controlling influences from significant others. Athletes with an external locus of control are more prone to use supplements and banned substances. Moral disengagement has been associated with the use of banned substances. The zero tolerance (ZT) approach to doping by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has not reduced the prevalence of doping. The harm reduction (HR) approach accepts the reality of widespread doping in sports and approaches the problem with the social drivers of doping in mind. Many athletes are willing to use substances to achieve their goals even at the expense of their health and wellbeing. It is therefore important to not only evaluate the prevalence of use in the adolescent athlete population, but to develop effective preventative interventions. Understanding adolescents’ knowledge, their preferred sources of information, attitudes and beliefs about sports supplements and banned substances are required in this regard. Therefore, the aim

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 attenti

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 o

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: 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

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 grou

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

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 ma

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 contrib

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 surfin

A dearth of literature exists surrounding the sport of Body Building. Anecdotally, when preparing for a competition, most elite body builders in South Africa will go through two totally different phases of training and dieting. The first phase is the bulking- or weight-gaining phase. During this phase, a structured diet with high carbohydrate component and moderate to high fat content will be followed for several months. During the weight-gaining phase, Androgenic-Anabolic Steroid (AAS) substances are used in moderately high doses compared to the pre-contest period. The second phase of training and dieting, is called the pre-contest preparation phase. This is a very intense phase of high volume training that usually starts about 16-13 weeks from the time of the competition. During this phase, extremely strict, structured diets are followed, with each meal being weighed. During the pre-contest phase, a multitude of chemical substances are used to enhance the desired physique – this strategy of using combinations of different classes of drugs, is called “stacking”. This will be the period with the highest AAS substance milligram usage per week. Very little current information on the profile of these athletes is available to the South African Medical Community, especially the Sports Medicine Community. There exists only a small body of knowledge in the literature on the dosing protocols abused by these athletes and the side effects they incur. Little is known of the usage of high dose AAS amongst the elite, competitive South African Body Building population and the possible side effects. A rare opportunity was presented to the author to study a group of elite level body builders during the 2010 competitive season. Obtaining participants for this cohort was difficult as these athletes form part of a very secluded group of sportsmen. Though the present cohort was disadvantaged in small cohort size, the opportunity to study such a group in depth will not be readily repeat

Afrikaans: Die doelwitte van hierdie studie was om die aard en omvang van beserings onder skole- rugbyspelers te bepaal en die verband tussen die onderskeie beseringsprofiele en kompeteringsangs te ondersoek. Die studie het die insidensie en erns van beserings onder hoërskoolleerders ondersoek gedurende 2006 – 2008 en het gepoog om te bepaal of kompeteringsangs ‘n voorspeller van beserings onder die populasie was. ‘n Totaal van 94 deelnemers het aan die insluitingskriteria voldoen en is tot die studie toegelaat. Die deelnemers se beseringsgeskiedenis gedurende 2006 - 2008 is versamel en in drie afdelings verdeel, naamlik die aantal beseerde liggaamsdele of –streke oor drie jaar periode, die aantal beserings gedurende die 2008 seisoen en die erns van beserings gedurende die 2006 en 2007-seisoene. Die omvang van kompeteringsangs is bepaal deur middel van vraelyste. Karakter-geassosieerde kompeteringsangs (KGA) is bepaal met behulp van die SCAT-vraelys en Geleentheidsgeassosieerde kompeteringsangs (GGA) met behulp van die CSAI-2-vraelys. Die insidensie van beserings was hoog in vergelyking met internasionale data. ‘n Hoë aantal beserings van ernstige aard het voorgekom, wat meer was as in vergelykende populasies. Die beseringsinsidensie van die boonste ledemate was die hoogste en die voorkoms van potensieel-katastrofiese beserings onder hierdie groep was opvallend. ‘n Positiewe verband tussen KGA en aantal liggaamsdele beseer gedurende 2006 en 2008, sowel as die aantal beserings opgedoen gedurende 2008 is aangetoon, maar geen verband kon met erns van beserings gedurende 2006 bewys word nie. Geen verband kon bewys word tussen GGA en die beseringsprofiele nie. Die studie het hoë beseringsinsidensies bevind, met veral die boonste ledemate wat prominent was. Die erns van beserings was ook opmerklik, met ‘n hoë aantal spelers wat ernstig beseer was, asook die relatief-verhoogde insidensie van lewensbedreigende beserings (nek- en rugbeserings asook konkussie) in ‘n jong popu

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 th, Afrikaans: Netbal is ʼn sport wat hoë fisieke vereistes aan die spelers stel. Hierdie vereistes stel die spelers bloot aan beserings. Dit is dus van uiterste belang dat beheerliggame moet toon dat hulle bewus is van die risiko’s van die sport en dat stappe geneem is om die risiko’s te beperk. Daar kon geen studies in die literatuur gevind word, wat toon wat die beserings tendense by Suid-Afrikaanse netbalspelers is nie. Epidemiologiese studies verskaf die bewyse waarop risiko’s bepaal word asook die effektiwiteit van voorkomende terapeutiese intervensie. Die proefpersone was al die spelers (n = 1280) wat aan die nasionale toernooi vir Suid-Afrikaanse universiteite, die nasionale toernooi vir o/19 en o/21 spelers, sowel as die nasionale kampioenskappe vir seniorspelers. ʼn Beseringsvraelys is gebruik om inligting van elke besering in te samel. Spanbestuurders en afrigters is die aand voor die aanvang van elke toernooi op geskeduleerde vergaderinge toegespreek om die doel van die navorsing te verduidelik sowel as om hulle met instruksies vir die voltooiing en administrasie van die vraelys te voorsien. Die vraelyste wat voltooi is, is dan tydens ʼn geskeduleerde vergadering met die spanbestuurders aan die einde van elke dag se spel ingesamel. Die mees algemene plek van beserings was die enkelgewrig (36%). Dit word gevolg deur die knie (18%), besering aan die pols, hand en vingers (15%). Die beseringsinsidensie was 500.7 beserings per 1000 speelure. Die direkte waarskynlikheid dat ʼn speler beseer sal word, was bereken op 0.16 per speler. Die beserings was egter nie van ʼn ernstige aard nie en die meerderheid spelers kon onmiddellik spel voortsit. Dit is noodsaaklik om afrigters bewus te maak van die waarde van propriosepsie-, biomeganiese- en kernstabiliteitsoefeninge. Hierdie komponente is van uiterste belang vir die kondisionering van netbalspelers. Hierdie oefeninge moet nie net aan die begin van die seisoen gedoen word nie, maar deur die hele seisoen gevolg word.

English: The aim of this study was to review the available literature on the epidemiology of injuries in professional rugby, and then to collect data on previous injuries and the influence of external factors on rugby injuries. Secondly, the incidence, nature and circumstances surrounding injuries in a cohort of professional South African provincial rugby players were documented. The data collected was compared with available data in order to determine trends of injuries that, if taken into consideration, could possibly lead to the prevention of injuries to future rugby players. No study has been done on injury rate and frequency in the Currie Cup competition. Being the cornerstone of providing players for competitions like the Super 12 and Tri-nations, it is certainly appropriate to record the incidence and nature of injuries in the Currie Cup competition. This study attempted to identify factors associated with injury, to direct further analytical research and suggest measures to reduce injury rate. It also drew a comparison between results obtained through this study, and results obtained by other relevant studies in other competitions. The epidemiological data used in this study were collected from two professional rugby teams that competed in the 2002 Currie Cup Rugby Competition. This competition is held annually in South Africa and includes provincial teams from 14 regions in South Africa., Afrikaans: Die studie het ten doel om beskikbare inligting met betrekking tot die epidemiologie van beserings wat by professionele rugbyspelers voorkom, te bestudeer, data oor vorige beserings in te win, asook die invloed van eksterne faktore op rugbybeserings te identifiseer. Twedens word die voorkoms, aard en omstandighede rakende beserings in ‘n groep professionele Suid-Afrikaanse provinsiale rugbyspelers gedokumenteer. Hierdie data word met beskikbare data vergelyk om tendense in beserings vas te stel. Die resultate van hierdie studie kan gebruik word om in die toekoms sekere tipe beserings wat by rugbyspelers voorkom, te verminder. Geen studie is tot dusver gedoen om die aantal en frekwensie van beserings in die Curriebekerkompetisie te bepaal nie. Aangesien hierdie kompetisie die voedingsbron van spellers vir kompetisies soos die Super 12 en die Drienasies vorm, is die inwinning van hierdie inligting uiters belangrik vir die toekomstige kompeteringsvermoë van Suid-Afrikaanse rugbyspelers. Hierdie studie poog eerstens om faktore wat met die beserings verband hou te identifiseer, en tweedens om aanbevelings te doen oor faktore wat hierdie tipe beserings kan beperk. Resultate soos uit hierdie studie verkry, behoort die rigting vir toekomstige navorsing aan te dui. Hierdie studie tref dan ook ‘n vergelyking tussen nuwe data en resultate uit ander relevante studies. Die epidemiologiese data wat in hierdie studie gebruik word, is verkry van twee professionele rugbyspanne wat in 2002 aan die Curriebekerkompetisie deelgeneem het. Hierdie kompetisie word jaarliks tussen 14 streekspanne in Suid-Afrika gehou.