Robert Schall

Background: Researchers continue to investigate the predictive validity of motor assessment in learners with disorder of attention, motor control and perception (DAMP). Aim: Determine the prevalence of attention-deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) and developmental coordination disorder (DCD); assess their association in Grade 1 children. Setting: Two primary schools located within 30 km of the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein. Methods: Attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADD/ ADHD) was assessed using the strength and weaknesses of ADD/ADHD symptoms normal behaviour rating scale (SWAN) and DCD using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children – 2 (MABC-2). Results: One-hundred-and-ninety-five children (97 girls; 98 boys) aged 6 years to 8 years participated. MABC-2 and SWAN data were available for 195 and 182 children, respectively. Across both genders, 180 participants (92.3%) had no, 10 (5.1%) had moderate and 5 (2.6%) had severe motor difficulties. No statistically significant association (p = 0.1537) between gender and DCD was found. Similarly, 31 (17.0%) participants had ADHD subtype ADHD-I, 21 (11.5%) ADHD-H and 11 (6.0%) ADHD-C; no significant associations between gender and ADHD-I (p = 0.5579), ADHD-H (p = 0.4938) or ADHD-C (p = 0.7654) were found. There were no significant associations between DCD and the ADHD subtypes ADHD-I (p = 0.2956), ADHD-H (p = 0.7570) and ADHD-C (p = 1.000). Conclusion: Prevalence of DCD in the current study is higher than elsewhere in the world. No significant association between DCD and ADHD was found.

Limited literature is available on determining hikers’ fitness or physical activity (PA) levels required to participate in hiking trails. If a simple method to ascertain the PA levels of potential hikers could be devised and applied to a graded hiking ...

The South African Journal of Physiotherapy is the official scholarly refereed journal of the South African Society of Physiotherapy. It aims to publish original research and facilitate continuing professional development for physiotherapists and other health professions both nationally and internationally.

The South African Journal of Physiotherapy is the official scholarly refereed journal of the South African Society of Physiotherapy. It aims to publish original research and facilitate continuing professional development for physiotherapists and other health professions both nationally and internationally.

Background: Questions remain as to whether core stability represents a single or more components, how to assess core stability, and if a relationship exists with athletic performance in different sport codes. Objectives: To investigate the relationship between core stability and athletic performance in female university athletes. Methods: Eighty-three female athletes (hockey, netball, running, soccer and tennis) participated in this quantitative, cross-sectional study. The isometric back extension (IBE), lateral flexion (LF) and abdominal flexion (AF) tests were used to measure core strength and endurance. The core stability grading system using a pressure biofeedback unit was applied to measure core neuromuscular control (NMC). Athletic performance was assessed using the 40 m sprint, T-test, vertical jump (VJ) and the medicine ball chest throw (MBCT). Correlations between the core stability tests and the athletic performance tests were determined, overall and separately by sport. The effect of core stability on athletic performance was analysed using ANCOVA. Results: Most correlations were weak (r=0.10–0.39), although a very strong correlation was found between LF (strength) and VJ (r=0.90). When considered separately, moderate correlations (r=0.40–0.69) were found between core strength, endurance and motor control with certain athletic performance tests in all five sport codes. In runners, strong correlations (r=0.70–0.89) occurred between AF (endurance) and VJ, and in tennis players between IBE (strength) and the sprint. Conclusion: Correlations were found between core stability and athletic performance, although most correlations were negligible or weak. Athletic performance in different sport codes is associated with different components of core stability.

Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD) are developmental disorders in children with 3 symptom clusters, namely hyperactivity, attention deficit and impulsivity, and a combination. We investigated the prevalence of the 3 symptom clusters and their association with learning-related skills among children aged 6 to 7 years in Bloemfontein, Free State province, South Africa. The Aptitude Test for School Beginners (ASB) was applied to determine learning-related skills, and the Strength and Weaknesses of ADHD Symptoms Normal Behaviour rating scale (SWAN) was used to determine ADHD symptoms. Data on SWAN scores were available for 390 children, while data on both the SWAN and ASB were available for 345 children (189 girls and 156 boys) with a mean age of 6 years and 8 months. The prevalence of ADHD symptoms was as follows: 74.6% of the children did not fulfil the criteria for ADD/ADHD, 7.7% presented with the combined subtype, 6.7% presented with hyperactivity and impulsiveness, and 11.0% with inattentiveness. The presence of ADHD symptoms had a significant effect p = < 0.05 on reasoning, numerical abilities, gestalt, coordination and memory. We conclude that ADHD symptoms are a significant risk factor for 5 of the 8 learning-related skills in children, namely numerical skills, memory, reasoning, gestalt and coordination.

Background: Despite a substantial body of literature on injuries among elite netball players in South Africa, no study reports on the timing and type of injuries and the reason for injuries. Objective: To determine the epidemiology of injuries in U18, U19, U21 and senior netball players in the Free State (FS), South Africa, over two consecutive netball seasons (2017/2018). Methods: An injury questionnaire was used to collect data on 96 eligible players. Results: A total of 48 injuries were reported. The profile of injuries revealed that 58% (n=28) of the injuries occurred during matches, 29% (n=14) during practice and 13% (n=6) during preseason training. Acute injuries accounted for 54% (n=26) of the total, while 46% (n=22) were overuse injuries. A third of all the injuries were re-injuries. The centre (C) position had the highest incidence of injuries in players (n=14; 29%). The ankle was the most frequently injured body part (n=18; 36%), followed by the lower leg and Achilles tendon (n=6; 13%) thus largely the ligaments and muscles. The overall incidence rate of injuries during match play was 33.9 injuries per 1 000 hours of match play. Conclusion: Preventative strategies should consist of ankle and lower leg strengthening and neuromuscular balance techniques. The focus should be on correct landing techniques, results of abrupt change of direction movements and short bursts of speed.

Background: Physical and physiological profile data for elite netball players in South Africa and internationally are limited but are necessary for conditioning programme information. Objective: To determine the physical and physiological profiles of U18, U19, U21 and senior level elite netball players at provincial level in the Free State, South Africa. The information provided is by age group and playing position. The fitness of the players for South African and New Zealand netball is also given using the fitness normative data (norms). Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive study consisted of 77 elite South African netball players. Anthropometric measurements were taken according to international standards. Fitness tests included the Star Execution Balance Test, standing broad jump, double- and single-leg vertical jump, Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 1(IR1) test, sprints over 5, 10 and 40 m, horizontal pull-ups and press-ups, the prone bridge test and anaerobic Octorepeater tests with 10 m and 20 m repeated shuttle sprints. In keeping with the descriptive nature of the study, descriptive statistics were calculated for numerical data by age group and playing position. Results: Players generally did not meet the accepted fitness standards in the following areas: press-ups (all age groups), horizontal pull-ups (senior and U21), standing broad jump (senior and U21), vertical squat jump (senior and U21), 5 m and 10 m sprints (senior and U21); anaerobic Octorepeater (senior players), and the aerobic Yo-Yo IR1 test (all age groups). Conclusion: Strength and conditioning coaches should develop training programmes to address fitness areas where players do not meet the international standards.

Decreasing the impact of pollution caused by laundry detergents could be beneficial to the environment and global textile industry. Catholyte is electrochemically activated aqueous media which has no detrimental effects on water systems. Catholyte’s pH and detergency properties remain in an altered state of metastability for 48 h, subsequently returning to its pre-activation state. The effect of Catholyte on appearance properties of dyed cotton was compared to non-phosphate detergent and evaluated. Laundering cotton with Catholyte caused slightly less colourfastness (sulphur and direct black), higher wash fastness (reactive black) and less staining (direct black). Using non-phosphate detergent resulted in less staining (sulphur and reactive black). The effects of Catholyte and detergent on the colourfastness to dry rubbing (sulphur, direct and reactive black) and colourfastness to wet rubbing (direct and reactive black) was similar. Catholyte has high potential as an environmentally friendly alternative to laundry detergents for sustainable consumption of cotton textiles.