Quantifying the training demands of an amateur women’s Rugby union team using Global Positioning System
- Authors: Mbane, Nomabhelu
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/424289 , vital:72140
- Description: Rugby union is a dynamic sport that has grown to not only be played by men but by women too. The professionalisation of the sport that happened in 1995 developed the game immeasurably including the focus given to its scientific research. This is important as literature on the demands of the game has become vital in improving the performance of Rugby union players (Deutch et al., 1998; Kay and Gill, 2004; Kruger, 2012). Scientific evidence-based data on the physical and physiological demands is imperative in the planning and setting up of training regimes (Deutch et al., 1998; Kay and Gill, 2004; Kruger, 2012). Unfortunately, the growth in the participation of women’s Rugby union has not been matched with scientific evidence-based literature that seeks to improve the performance of this population of players. Therefore, due to the unavailability of match-play during the COVID-19 outbreak, this study aimed to quantify the physical and physiological demands of training sessions of amateur women’s Rugby union players from the Sarah Baartman District, South Africa using Global Positioning System (GPS). The training’ data collected was compared to previous literature, including studies that also focused on match-play. Furthermore, players were categorized into forwards and backs, allowing for the comparison between the two playing categories. An exploratory, descriptive, observational, and comparative research design was used for the current study. The physical and physiological demands of eighteen women Rugby union players (eight forwards and ten backs) aged between 18 – 36 years old were assessed during training (for a total of nine sessions). To inform the participants’ characteristics, the players’ demographic, and anthropometric characteristics (age, stature, and body mass) were obtained. Using GPS and Zephyr technology the players’ training physical (time spent in speed zones, maximum speed, total distance travelled, number of impacts in the various impact zones) and physiological (heart rate) demands were explored. Statistical analysis methods including descriptive, independent t-test, one-way and two-way ANOVA tests were employed to analyse the data and evaluate the differences between forwards and backs. The mean age and stature for all players was 25,44±5,6 years and 1,60±0,06 m respectively, with no significant differences found between backs and forwards. With regards to body mass, forwards weighed 82,0±9,4 kg while backs weighed significantly lighter at 58,0±5,8 kg. Significant differences (p < 0,05) were found for all players in the time spent in speed zones and the number of impacts in impact zones. When all forwards’ and backs’ physical and physiological demands were compared the results showed no significant differences. The average time spent in all six speed zones combined was 11,41 and 11,62 mins for forwards and backs, respectively. The maximum speeds reached by forwards (21,35±5,72 km/h) and backs (22,85±3,88 km/h) were similar. All players combined travelled an average total distance of 2,14±0,76 km. The total number of impacts in all six impact zones, totalled 116 impacts for forwards and 97 for backs. Heart rate responses recorded for forwards and backs were 139±15 bpm and 134±13 bpm. Based on the findings of this study, the training intensity of amateur women’s Rugby union was lower than the demands experienced in the training and match-play of previous research. It was also observed that there was no specificity with regards to the training programs allocated between forwards and backs of this study. Further research on amateur women’s Rugby union is required to characterise training and match-play demands of these players. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Human Kinetics and Ergonomics, 2023
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- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
Quantifying the work demands of municipal waste workers to determine physical workload and perception
- Authors: Mamabolo, Lerato
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/424267 , vital:72138
- Description: Objective: This study aimed to quantify physical and perceptual workloads through the nature of the work demands of municipal waste workers. Waste workers investigated were waste collectors, street sweepers [or public cleansers], drivers and mechanics. Methods: 154 City of Tshwane municipal waste workers volunteered to participate in the study. Observation-based tools were used to measure physical workload namely, the RAMP 1 and 2, REBA and RULA, and the hand-held dynamometer was used for pushing and pulling tasks. Subjective perceptual questionnaires were used to measure Perceptual load namely the NASA TLX and the QWIQ. Results: Differences in physical workload were evident between the occupation groups. Round bin collection was the waste collection type pertaining to the highest work-related risk of musculoskeletal development. Public cleansers and flatbed truck collectors' results displayed lower task-related risks associated in relation to the other occupations. Significant differences were found between the groups, particularly between waste collectors and drivers [had high workload outputs] in relation to public cleansers [low workload] for both perceptual workload tools. A significant difference was found in the mental and physical demands, as well as the organisational constraints and quantitative workloads. Mechanics showed no significant differences between groups but had high levels of frustration. Conclusion: A relationship between physical and perceived workload intensity is evident. development of musculoskeletal diseases and injury shall incur if measures are not reinstated. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Human Kinetics and Ergonomics, 2023
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- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
The dissipation of marital assets pending a divorce order in South Africa: a proposal for reform
- Authors: Mahlangu, Busisiwe Hlophane Maria
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/424130 , vital:72126
- Description: Dissipation of marital assets takes place where one spouses uses the marital assets with the intention to frustrate the equitable distribution at the dissolution of marriage. This kind of behaviour usually occurs when one spouse anticipates a divorce or when the final divorce order is pending. In this context then, this thesis aims to critically analyse the effectiveness of the legal remedies available to spouses who are negatively affected by the dissipation of marital assets in marriage in community of property and marriage out of community of property with accrual. In this thesis the question is asked: does the current law adequately protect one spouse from another spouse unfairly hiding or dissipating assets from their estate to prevent the equitable distribution of these assets to the other spouse on divorce? In order to answer this question, this thesis proceeds by examining each of the remedies in detail, looking specifically at the statutory remedies set out in the Matrimonial Property Act 88 of 1984, specifically those contained in ss 8, 15 and 20 of that Act. It also considers remedies found in the common law. Ultimately, the study finds that these remedies do not provide adequate protection to spouses affected by the dissipation of marital assets and looks at the particular reasons for this finding. The study then concludes by proposing reforms to provide better protection to affected spouses. These legal reforms include: amending the legislative framework, changing the determinative date of the accrual, legislating a requirement for full disclosure of assets in terms s 8(1) of the Matrimonial Property Act and, finally, advocating for a flexible interpretation of the requirements of s 20 of the Matrimonial Property Act and the common law anti-dissipation remedy. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, Law, 2023
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- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
The effectiveness of the Therapeutic Sandstory Method as a focused intervention with a child: a descriptive single case study
- Authors: Francis, Staci
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/424973 , vital:72198
- Description: This study explores and describes a phenomenological case study, illustrating a postmodern constructionist orientation to sandtray work with a South African child. The Therapeutic Sandstory Method (TSM) involves the innovative integration of a variety of tenets when working with children– constructing sandworlds, storytelling, the reflection of stories and coherent therapeutic documents in therapy collectively facilitating the healing process. This novel method enables children to translate and communicate their own personal experiences and traumas into a concrete form through storytelling and metaphoric connections constructed in their sandworld. It is anticipated that the TSM is a brief yet feasible, child-centered therapeutic engagement designed to continue the therapeutic process outside of the therapy setting, making it ideally suited for children and adolescents from under-resourced communities. The results of the study revealed improved interpersonal functioning and emotional wellbeing after eight sessions. Contextualized narrative and social constructionist findings are discussed and recommendations made pertaining to future research and practice using TSM with children in therapy. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 2023
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- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
The effects of different shift patterns on nurses’ sleep-wake behaviours in selected, private healthcare facilities
- Authors: Bell, Emma Catherine
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/424219 , vital:72134
- Description: Nurses are required to work shifts to provide 24-hour care, in which they complete physically and mentally demanding tasks. The length and type of shifts, particularly night shifts interfere with the natural sleep-wake behaviours, leading to extended wakefulness and overall reduced sleep, and increase the likelihood of sleepiness during subsequent shifts. This can in turn affected various cognitive processes such attention, vigilance and alertness, which are necessary during the care process. Sleepiness as a result of working shifts has also been associated with an increased risk accidents and error during the delivery of care. Given the unique demands and ways in which workplaces are structured, each context arranges its shifts in unique ways and thus, in order to determine how to manage the effects of shift work, it is important to understand how it affects self-reported fatigue and sleep, of, in this case, nurses. While there has been extensive research on this in the global north, to date, there has been limited research aimed at examining the effects of shift work on nurses’ sleep-wake behaviours and fatigue in the South African context. Therefore, the aim of this study is to characterise shift arrangements in selected private facilities and explore its effects on private healthcare nurses. This study adopted a cross-sectional, survey design using an amended version of Standard Shiftwork Index. The questionnaire included demographic and shift details and explored the impact of the shift systems on nurse sleep-wake behaviours and disturbances and fatigue and workload. It was distributed among shift working nurses registered with the South African Nursing Council across three selected, private, healthcare facilities in the Eastern Cape, over a two-month period. The responses were analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics, with open-ended questions analysed using a thematic analysis. A total of 51 nurses completed the survey. Nurses worked 12-hour shifts which included night shifts and day shifts with fixed start and end times. Over time was commonly reported and generally, nurses reported having very little control over their shift arrangements. Overall, nurses slept less than what they reported they needed on duty days, with nurses working both day and night shifts reporting to sleep less than the globally recommended required sleep. This was compensated for by longer sleep durations during days off. The data collection revealed that three different shift arrangements were in use, including permanent day shifts, permanent night shifts and rotating shift work including nights, with permanent night nurses working significantly more consecutive shifts (seven) than the other two shift types and having significantly more days off (seven) as well. While there were no significant differences in self-reported sleep across the three shift types, permanent night nurses were found to have the shortest sleep. During days off, rotating nurse reported significantly longer sleep times compared to day shift workers which may point to the need to catch up from sleep debt. Rotating nurses experienced the greater total disturbances to their sleep than permanent day and permanent night shift nurses. While not statistically significant, it may point to the fact that rotating shift workers could not obtain regularly timed sleep (due to having to change their schedules) compared to permanent day and night nurses. Workload (physical, emotional, mental and time pressure) did not differ between the shifts (day or night) or the shift types, but did reflect a heavier workload, possibly due to the data collection occurring during the 5th wave of the COVID 19 pandemic. This study highlights that nurses in private healthcare facilities are working extended hours which were associated with reduced total sleep, irrespective of the nature of the shift, with rotating shift nurses experiencing some degree of greater disturbances to their sleep. The number, duration speed and direction of the shifts of rotating nurses needs to be explored further, whilst also exploring the influence of individual factors on sleep-wake behaviours of nurses. It may be beneficial for the healthcare facilities to implement fatigue management strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of shift work, given the impact that this may impact the delivery of care. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Human Kinetics and Ergonomics, 2023
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- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
The ergonomic assessment of two different pipette models and their effects on biomechanical, performance, and subjective outcomes
- Authors: Masoka, Bonolo
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/424278 , vital:72139
- Description: While laboratory workers are essential in many industries, they are also at a high risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Manual pipetting has been identified as the leading cause of MSDs in laboratories because it exposes operators to high forces, repetition, static muscular loading, and awkward wrist postures for prolonged periods. The main contributors to the high risk associated with manual pipetting are the design of manual pipettes and how they are used. A laboratory-based study was conducted to assess and compare the biomechanical, subjective, and performance responses of an ergonomically designed pipette model to those of a traditional model. In a simulated laboratory workstation, 20 individuals performed 40 repetitions of pipetting tasks using each pipette model. Dependent variables consisted of muscle activity (of the Abductor Pollicis Brevis, Opponens Pollicis, Extensor pollicis longus, Abductor pollicis longus, Extensor pollicis brevis, and brachioradialis muscles), wrist postures, time to task completion, perceived muscular exertion (measured using the Borg RPE scale), perceived comfort and usability, and user preference. The results revealed that an ergonomic modification to pipette design has some effect on biomechanical and subjective outcomes. The ergonomic model significantly reduced muscular loading of the Opponens pollicis, and Abductor pollicis brevis muscles. The ergonomic model also reduced radial deviation and was associated with better subjective responses, while the time to task completion did not change. This study found that an ergonomic modification to pipette design can improve user comfort and well-being without compromising performance. Overall, the findings emphasize the importance of addressing pipette design to reduce the MSD risk associated with manual pipetting, and the necessity for a user-centred approach to tool design. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Human Kinetics and Ergonomics, 2023
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- Date Issued: 2023-10-13