Numerous factors influence heart rate variability, including age, exercise and posture. The Cardi... more Numerous factors influence heart rate variability, including age, exercise and posture. The Cardio Stress Index (CSI) is a transformed measure of heart rate variability that is determined via a miniature digital multi-channel electrocardiogram system. Although the CSI and heart rate variability are reportedly analogous, little is known about how the two concepts compare in peer-reviewed research. The aim of this study was to examine the differences between CSI and heart rate as measured on a mini- electrocardiogram device when subjects were sitting upright and when they were lying down (in supine position). This is a case-series study with no intervention or follow-up. Sitting and supine CSI and heart rate readings were compared in a random sample of 55 women volunteers recruited through advertising in Pretoria, South Africa. The mean age of the sample was 25.01 years (SD = 7.56). After completing a biographical questionnaire, subjects’ CSI and heart rates were evaluated using a dig...
Abstract: In order to truly be innovative in education, it is sometimes necessary to break away f... more Abstract: In order to truly be innovative in education, it is sometimes necessary to break away from conventional practices while, at the same time, keeping the students’ best interests in mind. We support the notion that innovation in teaching and learning plays a vital role in the success of an institution and as such have launched innovative initiatives amongst various institutions. These initiatives present various benefits, such as empowering children and supporting well-being through innovative educational wellness indicators and health promoting intervention. Based on the results obtained in this study, and the needs and knowledge based on the teachers and learners, an intervention plan was developed to support positive change within the schools and the community. This intervention plan includes the development of learning content that can be included in the curriculum without adding any additional burden to the teachers as well as the training of teachers to better implement this curriculum. The intervention further aims to assist with social change by guiding the schools in improving their learner feeding scheme and physical activity programme. The TEARS principle is an innovative 5-step enterprise that has been developed and implemented in order to pioneer the necessary changes in education. Keywords: TEARS, Wellness, Intervention, Social Change
Sport has become a very competitive business that focuses on athletes reaching their full potenti... more Sport has become a very competitive business that focuses on athletes reaching their full potential. In the past, few aspects like hand-eye co-ordination and visual reaction time have been addressed. Visual involvement in a sport varies according to the environmental demands associated with that particular sport. These environmental demands are matched by a task-specific motor response. The purpose of this study was to determine whether exercise can improve an athlete’s visual performance in order to achieve maximal results on the sports ground. Thirty rugby players, aged 16 to 18, were chosen as subjects. To evaluate the effect of physical exercise on hand-eye co-ordination, a pre-test-post-test control group design was adopted for the study. The pre- and post- exercise values of the subjects in the control and experimental group were pooled to determine the averages and differences. The results showed that there was an enhancement in the performances of subjects that were exposed ...
In this article we discuss the perceptions teachers (n = 45) have regarding the nutritional pract... more In this article we discuss the perceptions teachers (n = 45) have regarding the nutritional practices of a sample of primary school learners and their families in a resource-constrained community. We specifically focus on the needs, practices and expectations related to food consumption, which implies food production, food choice and food preparation. Our study forms the first part of a more comprehensive institutional research project. For the purpose of our study we utilised participatory reflection and action-based workshops with the participants in order to generate data, and employed interpretivism to interpret the findings. This study emphasises the need of resource-constrained and unemployed community members, who are often forced to purchase food as a reduced cost of which the quality is not optimal. An attenuated breakfast, lunch or dinner where choices are often limited to black tea, porridge and one or two slices of stale bread, confirms the manifestations of poverty in r...
Abstract: In order to truly be innovative in education, it is sometimes necessary to break away f... more Abstract: In order to truly be innovative in education, it is sometimes necessary to break away from conventional practices while, at the same time, keeping the students’ best interests in mind. We support the notion that innovation in teaching and learning plays a vital role in the success of an institution and as such have launched innovative initiatives amongst various institutions. These initiatives present various benefits, such as empowering children and supporting well-being through innovative educational wellness indicators and health promoting intervention. Based on the results obtained in this study, and the needs and knowledge based on the teachers and learners, an intervention plan was developed to support positive change within the schools and the community. This intervention plan includes the development of learning content that can be included in the curriculum without adding any additional burden to the teachers as well as the training of teachers to better implement...
Abstract: The prevalence of burnout has increased in the past 30 years. A review of the literatur... more Abstract: The prevalence of burnout has increased in the past 30 years. A review of the literature suggested that burnout could be prevented through the application of interpersonal as well as intrapersonal strategies. Interpersonal strategies consist of employees having access to social support systems and human resources management’s ability that may have a positive influence on job satisfaction. Intrapersonal strategies take the form of training individuals to become mindful, thus being aware of their physical as well as psychological states. Little research has been conducted on the successfulness of such strategies and the need was identified to explore the relationship between burnout, job satisfaction, social support and mindfulness among employees in a South African corporate organisation. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between burnout, job satisfaction, social support and mindfulness within a South African corporate organisation. The study was a...
Rekrute in die gewapende magte word met talle stressors gekonfronteer, onder meer 'n strawwe ... more Rekrute in die gewapende magte word met talle stressors gekonfronteer, onder meer 'n strawwe opleidingsprogram wat 'n impak op hul fisiologiese funksionering kan hê. Die kardiostresindeks (KSI) is 'n nie-indringende merker van die stres wat die hart ervaar. Die berekening van die KSI is gebaseer op die duur van vaskulêre eksitasie (duur van QRS), hartkloptempo, hartritme en die standaardafwyking van die tyd wat verloop tussen elke opeenvolgende kardiale siklus (RR-interval). Die doel van die huidige studie was om die fisiologiese impak van 20 weke van strawwe opleiding op rekrute te toets, met behulp van KSI as 'n nie-indringende biomerker van kardiostres. Proefnemings is by drie geleenthede tydens die basiese militêre opleiding van rekrute, tussen die ouderdomme van 18 en 24 jaar, in die gewapende magte onderneem (week 1, week 12 en week 20) (n = 202, manlik = 115, vroulik = 87). Veranderlikes wat gemeet is, het die volgende ingesluit: rustende KSI, hartkloptempo (H...
It has been speculated that probiotics can improve athletic performance. Significant increases in... more It has been speculated that probiotics can improve athletic performance. Significant increases in haemoglobin concentration and oxygen consumption have also been shown to follow the ingestion of lactic acid bacteria in athletes. The aim of this study was to determine whether the administration of commercially prepared probiotics could influence haemoglobin concentration and other haematological parameters in moderately active males. Fifty healthy, moderately active male volunteers were divided into two groups (Test Group and Control Group). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pre-test/post-test, group comparison study was done. The study showed no significant differences (p≥0.05) between the two groups on any of the dependent measurements. There were statistically significant changes (p≤0.05) between pre- and post-test results within the two groups. These changes were within physiological limits. Sodium increased significantly (p=0,001) from 139.29 mmol/L to 140.96 mmol/...
With the increasing prevalence of emphasis on lifestyle-related wellness, the focus has been dive... more With the increasing prevalence of emphasis on lifestyle-related wellness, the focus has been diverted from treatment and cure of disease to prevention and health promotion. Therefore, the area of wellness has received much attention and has been promoted with much enthusiasm, especially in the corporate industry. The present study delved into the area of overall physical wellness and explored its components and the influence of an active work environment on these components. This study adopted a cross-sectional, quantitative experimental design Undergraduate university students (n = 165) and 234 training recruits and law enforcement employees underwent several wellness assessments in a bid to compare overall physical wellness in sedentary and active work environments. The individual results were compared and scored into risk areas that were ultimately compounded to formulate an overall physical wellness indicator. It was found that the students were superior in some areas of wellnes...
The Overtraining Syndrome is largely a diagnosis of exclusion. The aim of this study was to inves... more The Overtraining Syndrome is largely a diagnosis of exclusion. The aim of this study was to investigate the compact Profile of Mood State (POMS) questionnaire as an early and accurate indicator for the diagnosis of OTS and the reliability of such findings between a group of athletes diagnosed with OTS, in comparison with a non-OTS (NOTS) group. The study population included 10 endurance athletes who completed the compact version of the POMS test which is based on 65 questions using a 4-point adjective rating scale which measure 6 identifiable moods of affect states: tension-anxiety; depression-dejection; anger-hostility; vigour-activity; fatigue-inertia; and confusion-bewilderment. Anger, vigor and fatigue all reflected p values < 0.0001, thus showing reliability in predicting OTS. The study showed significant differences in mood states between the OTS and the NOTS group. Only tension was similar in both groups. The POMS test was found to be a promising tool in the early diagnosi...
Numerous factors influence heart rate variability, including age, exercise and posture. The Cardi... more Numerous factors influence heart rate variability, including age, exercise and posture. The Cardio Stress Index (CSI) is a transformed measure of heart rate variability that is determined via a miniature digital multi-channel electrocardiogram system. Although the CSI and heart rate variability are reportedly analogous, little is known about how the two concepts compare in peer-reviewed research. The aim of this study was to examine the differences between CSI and heart rate as measured on a mini- electrocardiogram device when subjects were sitting upright and when they were lying down (in supine position). This is a case-series study with no intervention or follow-up. Sitting and supine CSI and heart rate readings were compared in a random sample of 55 women volunteers recruited through advertising in Pretoria, South Africa. The mean age of the sample was 25.01 years (SD = 7.56). After completing a biographical questionnaire, subjects’ CSI and heart rates were evaluated using a dig...
Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif vir Natuurwetenskap en Tegnologie, 2013
ABSTRACT Vision is one of the most important special senses and is the primary source of external... more ABSTRACT Vision is one of the most important special senses and is the primary source of external information. The role of vision in our everyday lifestyles is immense and adequate visual skills are needed for simple tasks which include reading and writing, that are especially important for students. Stress is an important factor which most students deal with, and along with other external factors, could adversely affect the ability to effectively perform many visual skills. This study aims to determine if sports vision exercises could improve visual skills and thereby enhance motor and cognitive performance. A 169 second year physiology students (18-22 years of age) participated in the study. The students were divided into control (n=78) and experimental groups (n=91) and pre and post sports vision tests were conducted. This included testing visual skills such as visual acuity, eye dominance, focusing, tracking, vergence, sequencing, eye-hand coordination, visualization and reflex. The results showed a significant improvement in the sequencing and eye-hand coordination tests in the experimental group, whilst a non-significant improvement (control group) was observed in the visual acuity, visualization, tracking, vergence and reflex tests. The improvements (except for focusing) were greater in the experimental group than in the control group. The study clearly showed that correct sports vision training can improve certain visual skills and lead to an enhancement of motor and cognitive learning and performance. Sports vision exercises are therefore an efficient method of improving certain visual skills and possibly minimizing any defects caused by stress.
satnt.v32i1.769 Oorspronklike Navorsing: Voedsel 'n Vergelyking tussen die kardiostres-indeks... more satnt.v32i1.769 Oorspronklike Navorsing: Voedsel 'n Vergelyking tussen die kardiostres-indekse van 'n aktiewe en 'n sedentêre populasie Authors: Peet du Toit Die moderne leefwyse bring dikwels mee dat ons die belangrikheid van liggaamlike oefening uit die oog verloor. Ons toenemend passiewe leefwyse het gelei tot 'n aansienlike toename in die voorkoms van lewenstylsiektes soos hipertensie en verskeie vorme van vaskulêre patologie. In hierdie studie word die kardiostres-indekse (KSI'e) van aktiewe en sedentêre individue met mekaar vergelyk ten einde insig te verkry in die uitwerking van die aansienlike veranderinge wat in die gemoderniseerde samelewing plaasgevind het. Die aktiewe populasie het bestaan uit 217 weermagrekrute wat reeds 20 weke van hul basiese weermagopleiding voltooi het. Die (n = 126) lede van die sedentêre populasie is gewerf uit 'n tradisionele tersiêre onderwysinstansie. Die deelnemers uit beide populasies moes drie toetssessies bywoon wat ...
Studies have shown that visual skills can be subjected to exertion during exercise, thus implying... more Studies have shown that visual skills can be subjected to exertion during exercise, thus implying that entrainment of vision is possible through interaction with the environment. It has been established that by simply participating in physical activity, one naturally improves visual awareness as well as visual processing skills and visual-motor integration. The purpose of the present study was to examine the changes in various visual skills during a 20-week military basic training programme. The training included cardio-respiratory endurance, fitness, muscular strength (upper body and abdominal), muscular endurance, speed, power, agility and flexibility. The participants (n=234) consisted of both male and female recruits who were enrolled for basic training at the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). Only those recruits who complied with the inclusion criteria and were willing to give informed consent participated in the study. The data collection occurred before the onset of the basic training programme and again after 12 and 20 weeks of intensive training. This schedule was proposed in order to ensure the specific requirements demanded by the various tests, and to observe the rate at which the visual skills and physiological parameters changed. The improvement of various visual skills observed in this research provides evidence that physical exercise, along with an enhanced state of physical fitness, does have a positive effect on visual proficiency. These findings could be elucidated by an alteration in the neuronal architecture, which subsequently leads to faster decision making, as well as a quicker and more efficient motor response.
Background: Novel, in silico-designed anticancer compounds were synthesized in our laboratory nam... more Background: Novel, in silico-designed anticancer compounds were synthesized in our laboratory namely, 2-ethyl-3-Osulphamoyl-estra-1,3,5(10),15-tetraen-17-ol (ESE-15-ol) and 2-ethyl-3-O-sulphamoyl-estra-1,3,5(10)16-tetraene (ESE-16). These compounds were designed to have improved bioavailability when compared to their source compound, 2-methoxyestradiol. This theoretically would be due to their increased binding affinity to carbonic anhydrase II, present in erythrocytes. Since the novel compounds under investigation are proposed to be transported within erythrocytes bound to carbonic anhydrase II, the morphological effect which they may exert on whole blood and erythrocytes is of great significance. A secondary outcome included revision of previously reported procedures for the handling of the whole blood sample. The purpose of this study was twofold. Firstly, the ultrastructural morphology of a healthy female's erythrocytes was examined via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after exposure to the newly in silico-designed compounds. Morphology of erythrocytes following exposure to ESE-15-ol and ESE-16 for 3 minutes and 24 hours at 22°C were described with the use of SEM. The haemolytic activity of the compounds after 24 hours exposure were also determined with the ex vivo haemolysis assay. Secondly, storage conditions of the whole blood sample were investigated by determining morphological changes after a 24 hour storage period at 22°C and 37°C. Results: No significant morphological changes were observed in the erythrocyte morphology after exposure to the novel anticancer compounds. Storage of the whole blood samples at 37°C for 24 hours resulted in visible morphological stress in the erythrocytes. Erythrocytes incubated at 22°C for 24 hours showed no structural deformity or distress. Conclusions: From this research the optimal temperature for ex vivo exposure of whole blood samples to ESE-15-ol and ESE-16 for 24 hours was determined to be 22°C. Data from this study revealed the potential of these compounds to be applied to ex vivo study techniques, since no damage occurred to erythrocytes ultrastructure under these conditions. As no structural changes were observed in erythrocytes exposed to ESE-15-ol and ESE-16, further ex vivo experiments will be conducted into the potential effects of these compounds on whole blood. Optimal incubation conditions up to 24 hours for whole blood were established as a secondary outcome.
Numerous factors influence heart rate variability, including age, exercise and posture. The Cardi... more Numerous factors influence heart rate variability, including age, exercise and posture. The Cardio Stress Index (CSI) is a transformed measure of heart rate variability that is determined via a miniature digital multi-channel electrocardiogram system. Although the CSI and heart rate variability are reportedly analogous, little is known about how the two concepts compare in peer-reviewed research. The aim of this study was to examine the differences between CSI and heart rate as measured on a mini- electrocardiogram device when subjects were sitting upright and when they were lying down (in supine position). This is a case-series study with no intervention or follow-up. Sitting and supine CSI and heart rate readings were compared in a random sample of 55 women volunteers recruited through advertising in Pretoria, South Africa. The mean age of the sample was 25.01 years (SD = 7.56). After completing a biographical questionnaire, subjects’ CSI and heart rates were evaluated using a dig...
Abstract: In order to truly be innovative in education, it is sometimes necessary to break away f... more Abstract: In order to truly be innovative in education, it is sometimes necessary to break away from conventional practices while, at the same time, keeping the students’ best interests in mind. We support the notion that innovation in teaching and learning plays a vital role in the success of an institution and as such have launched innovative initiatives amongst various institutions. These initiatives present various benefits, such as empowering children and supporting well-being through innovative educational wellness indicators and health promoting intervention. Based on the results obtained in this study, and the needs and knowledge based on the teachers and learners, an intervention plan was developed to support positive change within the schools and the community. This intervention plan includes the development of learning content that can be included in the curriculum without adding any additional burden to the teachers as well as the training of teachers to better implement this curriculum. The intervention further aims to assist with social change by guiding the schools in improving their learner feeding scheme and physical activity programme. The TEARS principle is an innovative 5-step enterprise that has been developed and implemented in order to pioneer the necessary changes in education. Keywords: TEARS, Wellness, Intervention, Social Change
Sport has become a very competitive business that focuses on athletes reaching their full potenti... more Sport has become a very competitive business that focuses on athletes reaching their full potential. In the past, few aspects like hand-eye co-ordination and visual reaction time have been addressed. Visual involvement in a sport varies according to the environmental demands associated with that particular sport. These environmental demands are matched by a task-specific motor response. The purpose of this study was to determine whether exercise can improve an athlete’s visual performance in order to achieve maximal results on the sports ground. Thirty rugby players, aged 16 to 18, were chosen as subjects. To evaluate the effect of physical exercise on hand-eye co-ordination, a pre-test-post-test control group design was adopted for the study. The pre- and post- exercise values of the subjects in the control and experimental group were pooled to determine the averages and differences. The results showed that there was an enhancement in the performances of subjects that were exposed ...
In this article we discuss the perceptions teachers (n = 45) have regarding the nutritional pract... more In this article we discuss the perceptions teachers (n = 45) have regarding the nutritional practices of a sample of primary school learners and their families in a resource-constrained community. We specifically focus on the needs, practices and expectations related to food consumption, which implies food production, food choice and food preparation. Our study forms the first part of a more comprehensive institutional research project. For the purpose of our study we utilised participatory reflection and action-based workshops with the participants in order to generate data, and employed interpretivism to interpret the findings. This study emphasises the need of resource-constrained and unemployed community members, who are often forced to purchase food as a reduced cost of which the quality is not optimal. An attenuated breakfast, lunch or dinner where choices are often limited to black tea, porridge and one or two slices of stale bread, confirms the manifestations of poverty in r...
Abstract: In order to truly be innovative in education, it is sometimes necessary to break away f... more Abstract: In order to truly be innovative in education, it is sometimes necessary to break away from conventional practices while, at the same time, keeping the students’ best interests in mind. We support the notion that innovation in teaching and learning plays a vital role in the success of an institution and as such have launched innovative initiatives amongst various institutions. These initiatives present various benefits, such as empowering children and supporting well-being through innovative educational wellness indicators and health promoting intervention. Based on the results obtained in this study, and the needs and knowledge based on the teachers and learners, an intervention plan was developed to support positive change within the schools and the community. This intervention plan includes the development of learning content that can be included in the curriculum without adding any additional burden to the teachers as well as the training of teachers to better implement...
Abstract: The prevalence of burnout has increased in the past 30 years. A review of the literatur... more Abstract: The prevalence of burnout has increased in the past 30 years. A review of the literature suggested that burnout could be prevented through the application of interpersonal as well as intrapersonal strategies. Interpersonal strategies consist of employees having access to social support systems and human resources management’s ability that may have a positive influence on job satisfaction. Intrapersonal strategies take the form of training individuals to become mindful, thus being aware of their physical as well as psychological states. Little research has been conducted on the successfulness of such strategies and the need was identified to explore the relationship between burnout, job satisfaction, social support and mindfulness among employees in a South African corporate organisation. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between burnout, job satisfaction, social support and mindfulness within a South African corporate organisation. The study was a...
Rekrute in die gewapende magte word met talle stressors gekonfronteer, onder meer 'n strawwe ... more Rekrute in die gewapende magte word met talle stressors gekonfronteer, onder meer 'n strawwe opleidingsprogram wat 'n impak op hul fisiologiese funksionering kan hê. Die kardiostresindeks (KSI) is 'n nie-indringende merker van die stres wat die hart ervaar. Die berekening van die KSI is gebaseer op die duur van vaskulêre eksitasie (duur van QRS), hartkloptempo, hartritme en die standaardafwyking van die tyd wat verloop tussen elke opeenvolgende kardiale siklus (RR-interval). Die doel van die huidige studie was om die fisiologiese impak van 20 weke van strawwe opleiding op rekrute te toets, met behulp van KSI as 'n nie-indringende biomerker van kardiostres. Proefnemings is by drie geleenthede tydens die basiese militêre opleiding van rekrute, tussen die ouderdomme van 18 en 24 jaar, in die gewapende magte onderneem (week 1, week 12 en week 20) (n = 202, manlik = 115, vroulik = 87). Veranderlikes wat gemeet is, het die volgende ingesluit: rustende KSI, hartkloptempo (H...
It has been speculated that probiotics can improve athletic performance. Significant increases in... more It has been speculated that probiotics can improve athletic performance. Significant increases in haemoglobin concentration and oxygen consumption have also been shown to follow the ingestion of lactic acid bacteria in athletes. The aim of this study was to determine whether the administration of commercially prepared probiotics could influence haemoglobin concentration and other haematological parameters in moderately active males. Fifty healthy, moderately active male volunteers were divided into two groups (Test Group and Control Group). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pre-test/post-test, group comparison study was done. The study showed no significant differences (p≥0.05) between the two groups on any of the dependent measurements. There were statistically significant changes (p≤0.05) between pre- and post-test results within the two groups. These changes were within physiological limits. Sodium increased significantly (p=0,001) from 139.29 mmol/L to 140.96 mmol/...
With the increasing prevalence of emphasis on lifestyle-related wellness, the focus has been dive... more With the increasing prevalence of emphasis on lifestyle-related wellness, the focus has been diverted from treatment and cure of disease to prevention and health promotion. Therefore, the area of wellness has received much attention and has been promoted with much enthusiasm, especially in the corporate industry. The present study delved into the area of overall physical wellness and explored its components and the influence of an active work environment on these components. This study adopted a cross-sectional, quantitative experimental design Undergraduate university students (n = 165) and 234 training recruits and law enforcement employees underwent several wellness assessments in a bid to compare overall physical wellness in sedentary and active work environments. The individual results were compared and scored into risk areas that were ultimately compounded to formulate an overall physical wellness indicator. It was found that the students were superior in some areas of wellnes...
The Overtraining Syndrome is largely a diagnosis of exclusion. The aim of this study was to inves... more The Overtraining Syndrome is largely a diagnosis of exclusion. The aim of this study was to investigate the compact Profile of Mood State (POMS) questionnaire as an early and accurate indicator for the diagnosis of OTS and the reliability of such findings between a group of athletes diagnosed with OTS, in comparison with a non-OTS (NOTS) group. The study population included 10 endurance athletes who completed the compact version of the POMS test which is based on 65 questions using a 4-point adjective rating scale which measure 6 identifiable moods of affect states: tension-anxiety; depression-dejection; anger-hostility; vigour-activity; fatigue-inertia; and confusion-bewilderment. Anger, vigor and fatigue all reflected p values < 0.0001, thus showing reliability in predicting OTS. The study showed significant differences in mood states between the OTS and the NOTS group. Only tension was similar in both groups. The POMS test was found to be a promising tool in the early diagnosi...
Numerous factors influence heart rate variability, including age, exercise and posture. The Cardi... more Numerous factors influence heart rate variability, including age, exercise and posture. The Cardio Stress Index (CSI) is a transformed measure of heart rate variability that is determined via a miniature digital multi-channel electrocardiogram system. Although the CSI and heart rate variability are reportedly analogous, little is known about how the two concepts compare in peer-reviewed research. The aim of this study was to examine the differences between CSI and heart rate as measured on a mini- electrocardiogram device when subjects were sitting upright and when they were lying down (in supine position). This is a case-series study with no intervention or follow-up. Sitting and supine CSI and heart rate readings were compared in a random sample of 55 women volunteers recruited through advertising in Pretoria, South Africa. The mean age of the sample was 25.01 years (SD = 7.56). After completing a biographical questionnaire, subjects’ CSI and heart rates were evaluated using a dig...
Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif vir Natuurwetenskap en Tegnologie, 2013
ABSTRACT Vision is one of the most important special senses and is the primary source of external... more ABSTRACT Vision is one of the most important special senses and is the primary source of external information. The role of vision in our everyday lifestyles is immense and adequate visual skills are needed for simple tasks which include reading and writing, that are especially important for students. Stress is an important factor which most students deal with, and along with other external factors, could adversely affect the ability to effectively perform many visual skills. This study aims to determine if sports vision exercises could improve visual skills and thereby enhance motor and cognitive performance. A 169 second year physiology students (18-22 years of age) participated in the study. The students were divided into control (n=78) and experimental groups (n=91) and pre and post sports vision tests were conducted. This included testing visual skills such as visual acuity, eye dominance, focusing, tracking, vergence, sequencing, eye-hand coordination, visualization and reflex. The results showed a significant improvement in the sequencing and eye-hand coordination tests in the experimental group, whilst a non-significant improvement (control group) was observed in the visual acuity, visualization, tracking, vergence and reflex tests. The improvements (except for focusing) were greater in the experimental group than in the control group. The study clearly showed that correct sports vision training can improve certain visual skills and lead to an enhancement of motor and cognitive learning and performance. Sports vision exercises are therefore an efficient method of improving certain visual skills and possibly minimizing any defects caused by stress.
satnt.v32i1.769 Oorspronklike Navorsing: Voedsel 'n Vergelyking tussen die kardiostres-indeks... more satnt.v32i1.769 Oorspronklike Navorsing: Voedsel 'n Vergelyking tussen die kardiostres-indekse van 'n aktiewe en 'n sedentêre populasie Authors: Peet du Toit Die moderne leefwyse bring dikwels mee dat ons die belangrikheid van liggaamlike oefening uit die oog verloor. Ons toenemend passiewe leefwyse het gelei tot 'n aansienlike toename in die voorkoms van lewenstylsiektes soos hipertensie en verskeie vorme van vaskulêre patologie. In hierdie studie word die kardiostres-indekse (KSI'e) van aktiewe en sedentêre individue met mekaar vergelyk ten einde insig te verkry in die uitwerking van die aansienlike veranderinge wat in die gemoderniseerde samelewing plaasgevind het. Die aktiewe populasie het bestaan uit 217 weermagrekrute wat reeds 20 weke van hul basiese weermagopleiding voltooi het. Die (n = 126) lede van die sedentêre populasie is gewerf uit 'n tradisionele tersiêre onderwysinstansie. Die deelnemers uit beide populasies moes drie toetssessies bywoon wat ...
Studies have shown that visual skills can be subjected to exertion during exercise, thus implying... more Studies have shown that visual skills can be subjected to exertion during exercise, thus implying that entrainment of vision is possible through interaction with the environment. It has been established that by simply participating in physical activity, one naturally improves visual awareness as well as visual processing skills and visual-motor integration. The purpose of the present study was to examine the changes in various visual skills during a 20-week military basic training programme. The training included cardio-respiratory endurance, fitness, muscular strength (upper body and abdominal), muscular endurance, speed, power, agility and flexibility. The participants (n=234) consisted of both male and female recruits who were enrolled for basic training at the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). Only those recruits who complied with the inclusion criteria and were willing to give informed consent participated in the study. The data collection occurred before the onset of the basic training programme and again after 12 and 20 weeks of intensive training. This schedule was proposed in order to ensure the specific requirements demanded by the various tests, and to observe the rate at which the visual skills and physiological parameters changed. The improvement of various visual skills observed in this research provides evidence that physical exercise, along with an enhanced state of physical fitness, does have a positive effect on visual proficiency. These findings could be elucidated by an alteration in the neuronal architecture, which subsequently leads to faster decision making, as well as a quicker and more efficient motor response.
Background: Novel, in silico-designed anticancer compounds were synthesized in our laboratory nam... more Background: Novel, in silico-designed anticancer compounds were synthesized in our laboratory namely, 2-ethyl-3-Osulphamoyl-estra-1,3,5(10),15-tetraen-17-ol (ESE-15-ol) and 2-ethyl-3-O-sulphamoyl-estra-1,3,5(10)16-tetraene (ESE-16). These compounds were designed to have improved bioavailability when compared to their source compound, 2-methoxyestradiol. This theoretically would be due to their increased binding affinity to carbonic anhydrase II, present in erythrocytes. Since the novel compounds under investigation are proposed to be transported within erythrocytes bound to carbonic anhydrase II, the morphological effect which they may exert on whole blood and erythrocytes is of great significance. A secondary outcome included revision of previously reported procedures for the handling of the whole blood sample. The purpose of this study was twofold. Firstly, the ultrastructural morphology of a healthy female's erythrocytes was examined via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after exposure to the newly in silico-designed compounds. Morphology of erythrocytes following exposure to ESE-15-ol and ESE-16 for 3 minutes and 24 hours at 22°C were described with the use of SEM. The haemolytic activity of the compounds after 24 hours exposure were also determined with the ex vivo haemolysis assay. Secondly, storage conditions of the whole blood sample were investigated by determining morphological changes after a 24 hour storage period at 22°C and 37°C. Results: No significant morphological changes were observed in the erythrocyte morphology after exposure to the novel anticancer compounds. Storage of the whole blood samples at 37°C for 24 hours resulted in visible morphological stress in the erythrocytes. Erythrocytes incubated at 22°C for 24 hours showed no structural deformity or distress. Conclusions: From this research the optimal temperature for ex vivo exposure of whole blood samples to ESE-15-ol and ESE-16 for 24 hours was determined to be 22°C. Data from this study revealed the potential of these compounds to be applied to ex vivo study techniques, since no damage occurred to erythrocytes ultrastructure under these conditions. As no structural changes were observed in erythrocytes exposed to ESE-15-ol and ESE-16, further ex vivo experiments will be conducted into the potential effects of these compounds on whole blood. Optimal incubation conditions up to 24 hours for whole blood were established as a secondary outcome.
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practices while, at the same time, keeping the students’ best interests in mind. We support the notion that innovation in
teaching and learning plays a vital role in the success of an institution and as such have launched innovative initiatives
amongst various institutions. These initiatives present various benefits, such as empowering children and supporting
well-being through innovative educational wellness indicators and health promoting intervention. Based on the results
obtained in this study, and the needs and knowledge based on the teachers and learners, an intervention plan was
developed to support positive change within the schools and the community. This intervention plan includes the
development of learning content that can be included in the curriculum without adding any additional burden to the
teachers as well as the training of teachers to better implement this curriculum. The intervention further aims to assist
with social change by guiding the schools in improving their learner feeding scheme and physical activity programme.
The TEARS principle is an innovative 5-step enterprise that has been developed and implemented in order to pioneer the
necessary changes in education.
Keywords: TEARS, Wellness, Intervention, Social Change
practices while, at the same time, keeping the students’ best interests in mind. We support the notion that innovation in
teaching and learning plays a vital role in the success of an institution and as such have launched innovative initiatives
amongst various institutions. These initiatives present various benefits, such as empowering children and supporting
well-being through innovative educational wellness indicators and health promoting intervention. Based on the results
obtained in this study, and the needs and knowledge based on the teachers and learners, an intervention plan was
developed to support positive change within the schools and the community. This intervention plan includes the
development of learning content that can be included in the curriculum without adding any additional burden to the
teachers as well as the training of teachers to better implement this curriculum. The intervention further aims to assist
with social change by guiding the schools in improving their learner feeding scheme and physical activity programme.
The TEARS principle is an innovative 5-step enterprise that has been developed and implemented in order to pioneer the
necessary changes in education.
Keywords: TEARS, Wellness, Intervention, Social Change