Faculty of Humanities
School of Professional Social Sciences
Department of Biokinetics, Sport and Leisure Sciences
Selected Highlights from Research Findings
The impact of psychological skills training (PST) package programmes on life, health and wellbeing in general, and the South African youth in particular, has been relatively neglected. For example, prior to this research, the impact of PST on the core health component of psychological wellbeing had not been evaluated, nor had the conceptual and/or empirical relationship between psychological skills and psychological wellbeing been investigated. While PST is often conducted individually due to its personal and specific nature, group training should not be overlooked, especially in South Africa where community interventions are an important part of health promotion. Psychological wellbeing has undergone extensive empirical review and evaluation over the last two decades. Theoretically and conceptually grounded on the work of researchers such as Gordon Allport, Charlotte Buhler, Marie Jahoda, Carl Jung, Erick Erikson, Abraham Maslow, Bernice Neugarten and Carl Rogers, as well as additional more meaningful connotations of ‘eudomonia’, such as realising potential through some form of struggle, the research of Ryff (1989) has brought about a shift in focus from a subjective to an objective conception of psychological wellbeing. This has resulted in the development of a new objective psychological wellbeing measurement, with the following components: autonomy, personal growth, environmental mastery, purpose of life, positive relations with others and self-acceptance. When unpacked, these components and psychological skills components of arousal, mental imagery attention and concentration, self-confidence, goal setting and motivation appear to overlap. With these considerations in mind, a triangulated design that involves individual, group and community interventions, as well as elite and expert case studies, was utilised to evaluate the effectiveness of a PST programme and to investigate the relationship between psychological skills and psychological wellbeing. Results based on quantitative and qualitative outcome and process measurements indicated general improvement in psychological skills, psychological wellbeing and sporting performance. Psychological skills and psychological wellbeing were found to be interrelated concepts with overlapping components
Contact person: Prof BJM Steyn.
This research study, entitled The effect of therapeutic recreation activities on undergraduate students’ appraisals of their emotions during academically demanding times, was a joint project between the Department of Biokinetics, Sport and Leisure Sciences and the Department of Social Work and Criminology. Student Support Services identified stress management as one of the life skills that first-year students lack. Participation in physical activity decreases over the life span. By the age of 21, only 42% of males and 30% of females report participating in vigorous physical activity on a regular basis. This level of physical activity can be modified by behavioural interventions. Exercise not only improves physical health, but also decreases depression and anxiety and improves mood state, self-esteem and body image. The aim of the study was to determine whether participation in therapeutic recreation activities will have a positive effect on the stress management of university students during academically stressful times. The research design was quasi-experimental using a one-group pre-test/post-test design. The groups and the recreation sessions were presented. The measuring instruments for the pre-test and the post-test were the Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire and the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS). The results of the measurement indicated that the students showed a significant increase on all levels of activity, be it mild, moderate or strenuous. The therapeutic recreation intervention and the group intervention led to an increase in physical activities and thus improved healthy behaviour. This is important as the impact of therapeutic recreation and skills on stress and time management can be used to generate active lifestyles in the student community
Contact person: H Nolte.
Stress fractures represent one of the most common and serious overuse injuries in the military environment. The aim of this research project was to determine the incidence of stress fractures during the 12 weeks of basic training and to compare the results of the intrinsic risk indicators, obtained from the group of participants who suffered stress fractures, with the rest of the original group (control group) who did not suffer from any stress fractures. In addition, the researchers assessed changes in physical markers, while following a progressive, scientifically designed physical training (PT) programme during basic training. The cohort (n=183) was measured at the beginning and at the end of the basic training period. The standardised physical fitness test was completed in the fifth week of training. These results were compared with the results obtained by a control group that had undergone basic training the year prior to this cohort. The size of the cohort, the intrinsic risk factor profile and the control of certain extrinsic risk factors may have contributed to the zero incidences of stress fractures found. Within the intrinsic risk factor profile, sex, age, race, foot morphology, Q-angle, hip external rotation and bone density were normal, while the measured leg discrepancy and limited ankle dorsiflexion did not appear to have a sufficient risk for the development of stress fractures. The small sample of the cohort that reported menstrual irregularities, smoked and had a history of previous fractures did not place this cohort at risk for the development of stress fractures. The cohort had lower isotonic, isokinetic and isometric strengths than the other cohorts who reported a relatively high incidence of stress fractures. The basic training period found statistically significant changes in bone density, flexibility, body composition, muscle strength and endurance. The female participants showed an increase in the T-score and Z-score of the left femur area, a deterioration in left ankle dorsiflexion and hip external rotation, while their plantarflexion increased. Their mesomorph component increased, and decreases in their percentage body fat, as well as in the ectomorph and endomorph component, were also found. The male participants’ plantarflexion and hip external rotation decreased, while their dorsiflexion improved. Their lean body mass and mesomorph component increased, while their percentage body fat, as well as their ectomorph and endomorph component, decreased. The new cyclic-progressive PT programme controlled risk of injury by allowing sufficient periods of recovery by gradually increasing the duration, frequency and intensity of training, by reducing repetitive weight-bearing activities and by including a variation of exercises. Running shoes, rather than combat boots, were also worn during PT, while marching on concrete was eliminated. Significant improvements were shown by both the male and female participants in aerobic fitness, and muscular endurance and strength. Future research should include a larger cohort who developed stress fractures utilising basic training groups from different corps and units in the South African military environment. Other potential extrinsic risk factors, such as surface and equipment, should also be investigated
Contact person: Prof PE Krüger.
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