Human Movement and Biokinetic Sports Science
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Browsing Human Movement and Biokinetic Sports Science by Author "Grace, J."
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- ItemThe effect of a 12–week home–based exercise intervention programme on cardio-metabolic disease risk factors(University of Zululand, 2012) Breukelman, Gerrit Jan; Semple, S.; Grace, J.This study evaluated the use, safety, and short-term benefits of a home-based physical activity programme, on cardio-metabolic disease risk factors. Sedentary individuals (n=67) were recruited for the study and those that qualified obtained medical clearance to participate. Participants received an individual log book to record their full day activities and meals, and were instructed to complete the home–based programme three days/week for 12 weeks. The home-based programme consisted of three exercise routines (aerobic, resistance and stretching). Outcomes included changes from baseline to 12 weeks in: weight, body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio, fat percentage, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, resting heart rate, fasting total cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose. Forty-six participants completed the study. A significant improvement between baseline and 12 weeks post intervention for diastolic blood pressure (77 mmHg – 68 mmHg; 11.7%, p < 0.05) was identified. From baseline to 12 weeks a decrease of 9% was noted in the number of participants in the moderate risk category while the number of participants in the low risk category increased by 19%. No other statistically significant differences were detected between the baseline and 12 weeks. Despite the observation that minimal statistically significant changes occurred as a result of the 12–week intervention, scores evidently show that the physical activity programme was beneficial in eliciting some positive changes (%) that may reduce cardiovascular risk. More prominent effects may have been observed with the inclusion of a calorie restriction programme.
- ItemAn evaluation of Biokinetics internships(University of Zululand, 2014) Nel, Christopher Robert; Grace, J.Few evaluations of internships have been carried out in the health professions in South Africa. Those that have been undertaken are in the field of medicine, physiotherapy and clinical psychology. This research seeks to fill that gap. The study used a mixed methods approach utilising both qualitative and quantitative research methods which is consistent with convergence model of triangulation design. This process evaluation allowed an evaluation of Biokinetic Honours and internships, and how they functioned at a specific moment in time. Descriptive statistics and a chi-square test were used to analyse the quantitative results and Thematic Content Analysis (TCA) was used to analyse qualitative data. Results, both quantitative and qualitative indicated that the male and female Biokineticists (N = 47, SD =3.12) who participated in the study were satisfied with their Biokinetic Honours and internships years. The results also indicated that supervising Biokineticists (N = 20, SD = 6.9) were satisfied with their interns. Qualitative results generally underpin results from the quantitative data and, while the majority of the results are positive, there were some problem areas. These related to poor supervision, long working hours, poor pay and perceived exploitation of interns, interns not completing the guideline number of evaluations in each category and poor teaching practices at Honours level. The following recommendations were 1) Review Biokinetic Honours programmes; 2) The structure of Biokinetics programmes be reviewed; 3) Community Service is introduced; 4) The possibility of introducing specialization in the field; 5) Internships should be in the public and private sector; 6) Supervising Biokineticists should undergo supervision training; 7) Cultural transformation needs addressing in the field; 8) Working conditions must be reviewed; 9) Selection processes for Honours should be reviewed and 10) More aggressive marketing of the discipline.