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Doctoral Degrees (Biokinetics, Exercise and Leisure Sciences)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10413/6722

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Browsing Doctoral Degrees (Biokinetics, Exercise and Leisure Sciences) by Author "Van Heerden, Jaques Johan."

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    Anthropometric profile and physical performance of youth players and challenges in the Ethiopian football talent identification program.
    (2018) Gebreegziabher, Eyasu Merhatsidk.; Van Heerden, Jaques Johan.
    The purpose of this study was to investigate the existing challenges that hinder the implementation of the talent identification program. Understand and develop basic standards to recruit talented young players based on their anthropometric and physical quality also the purpose of this study. Other purpose of the study was formulated and implement effective strategies for the coaching program. The study employed a cross-sectional study design. A homogenous group of 240 male Ethiopian football players (Age 15.6 ± 1.8 years) from 12 teams participated in this study. Sixty-one football coaches and 61 sport administrators also participated. Anthropometric assessment, speed, power, agility, endurance and flexibility tests were conducted. The data was analysed using descriptive and inferential analysis techniques. The mean and the standard deviation of results across an anthropometric profile for all players are as follows: body mass weight was 55.47kg (6.14), standing height was 1.7m (0.06), body mass index was 19.12kg/m2 (1.99), sub-scapular skinfold was 6.88mm (1.37), triceps skinfold was 5.95mm (1.51), BF(Body Fat) % was 15.53% (2.91) and LBM(Lean Body Mass) was 46.82kg (5.11). Significant weight and height differences (p≤0.05) were found between club and academy players, but not in BMI, % BF and Lean Body Mass (LBM). club players had significantly greater body mass than EFF and academy players (p≤0.05). For standing height, club and EFF players were significantly taller than players in the academy teams (p≤0.05). The mean and the standard deviation of overall fitness values for all players were as follows: 10m speed was 2.15sec (0.19), 20m speed was 3.51sec (0.29), 40m speed was 5.16sec (0.31), sit and reach flexibility was 12.94cm (7.86), vertical jump power test was 42.93cm (6.58), Illinois agility test was 17.45cm (0.83) and V̇O2 max 49.74ml/kg/min (5.42). Mean values per setting from club, academy and EFF, respectively were: 10m speed 2.08sec, 2.26s and 2.14sec (p≤0.0001); 20m speed 3.4sec, 3.7sec and 3.49sec (p≤0.0001); 40m speed 5.87sec, 5.9sec, 6.07sec (p≤0.0001). Flexibility was 11.96cm, 11.31cm and 14.96cm (p≤0.05). Club’s youth players were taller, heavier, faster and more flexible than academy and Ethiopian football federation players. Significant differences were found in age groups: 10m speed between U-14 and U-15 (p≤0.01) and U-14 and U-17 (p≤0.05), In 20m speed between U-14 group and U-16 (p≤0.01) and U-14 and U-17 (p≤0.01). Significant iv differences were also found in 40m speed between U-14 and U-15 (p≤0.05). Older age players were faster than younger ones. Anthropometrical profiles and physical performance tests may assist to identify the talented players in the country. Significant differences found per climatic altitudes and geographical locations were as follows: high altitude players’ significantly greater body mass than low altitude players (p≤0.05). Low altitude players significantly better BMI than high altitude players (p≤0.0001). For LBM, high altitude players significantly greater results than low and moderate altitude players (p≤0.005). The moderate altitude group of players performed better results than the low and high-altitudes group of players. Eastern and northern players were significantly heavier than southern and western players. Compared to southern players, Eastern and northern players were significantly taller than southern and western players. Although players from eastern, performed better in the 10m speed test than western players. Regarding the 20m speed test, eastern players performed better results than the rest three altitudes groups. A correlation matrix comparing anthropometry and physical performance indicated that: BMI was negatively related with 10m sprint (r = 0.134), 40m sprint (r = 0.232), vertical jump (r = 0.108) and agility (r = 0.123). Height was negatively related to performance in the 20m sprint (r = 0.141), 40m sprint (r = 0.201) and agility (r = 0.255). Quantitative questionnaire data related to the practice of talent identification programs in Ethiopia showed that: Most of the players (62%) have information and knowledge about a talent identification program. Most players (74%) have also experienced or passed through a talent identification program. The same was true of most players (74%) being of the opinion that they were exposed to a proper training program. Player’s knowledge and experiences; with respect to rest, water, materials and playing fields; family and coach support and test batteries found statistically significant differences (p≤0.0001) between club, academy and Ethiopian football federation settings. For the questionnaires about knowledge and experiences of coaches in the talent identification program, no statistically significant differences were found among club, academy or Ethiopian football federation settings, whereas significant differences were found with respect to experiences on upgrading of coaching knowledge related to talent v identification, in academy and Ethiopian football federation (p≤0.05) TIP (Talent Identification Program) settings. For the questionnaires related to problems and solutions of talent identification program, statistically significant differences in opinion were found among club, academy and Ethiopian football federation settings, but opinions about incorporation of talent identification programs in training courses were not significantly different. In terms of setting up programs to evaluate the level of performances of the players, not all settings were in the affirmative. For the implementation or application of talent identification programs, statistically significant differences in opinion were found across club, academy and Ethiopian football federation (p≤0.0001) settings. However, no differences were found fin terms of using a manual to identify player’s talent. For the questions about availability of materials and equipment for the TIP (Talent Identification Program) statistically significant differences in opinion were found among coaches in clubs and the Ethiopian football federation, while only those in the Ethiopian football federation TIP felt that testing materials are appropriate. For all questionnaires about administrators’ knowledge and experiences of talent identification, statistically significant differences were found in all groups. Questions on knowledge about TIP and facilitating refreshment courses for the coaches on talent identification were not statistically difference. For the questions about problems and solutions for the talent identification program, opinions varied statistically whereas opinions regarding their team’s conducting talent identification program and motivation of the players were similar. For the questionnaires about implementation responsibility of talent identification programs, statistically significant differences were found among the club, academy and Ethiopian football federation settings. For the questionnaires about manpower and materials for the talent identification program, statistically significant opinions were found among all the club, academy and Ethiopian football federation TID settings. For open-ended questions, all responses were investigated by using the detective qualitative data computer software package (NVIVO). The themes identified focussed on problems, solutions and suggestions for the operation of the Ethiopian football talent identification program. Under the three themes, focus nodes were identified as being the vi system, knowledge and experience, hard-work, training, monitoring and support, manpower, while facilities and equipment were also mentioned. The football talent identification program in Ethiopia is not an optimally functioning system. The improvement of the system is the first essential element for the talent identification program. This research has shown the need for a new systematic structure to be established for the talent identification program. Scarcity of knowledge and experience, also affects the talent identification program. Education and training were offered as keys to a solution.
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    Diet and supplementation practice in professional Ethiopian football players : effects on performance and recovery.
    (2018) Masho, Tesfaye Berhane.; McKune, Andrew James.; Van Heerden, Jaques Johan.
    The game of football places high physiological demands on players, who are expected to react by carrying out a range of physical activities at different intensities. Such movement patterns contribute to a high energy turnover in both training and match-play, which in turn must be sustained by the intake of adequate fuel sources. In this thesis, three studies were undertaken with the intention of gaining greater insight into, and adding to the body of knowledge of, football nutrition in Ethiopia. The studies included an evaluation of the impact of a sports nutrition education programme on the dietary, sports nutrition and supplement practices of the Ethiopian national football squad during the period 2012 to 2014 (Study 1). The dietary intake, sports nutrition and supplementation practices of professional Ethiopian football players currently playing in Ethiopian Premier League clubs (Study 2) were then studied, as well as the relationships between training load, energy balance, performance and recovery (Study 3). Study – 1. Football players require adequate knowledge of nutrition to allow correct selection and consumption of food and fluids to meet their performance, body composition and overall health needs. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a sports nutrition intervention on the nutrition knowledge and dietary choices of the players who were members of the Ethiopian national football squad between 2012 and 2014. The following sports nutrition topics were discussed: timing of nutrition, recovery, hydration, post exercise physiological perceptions, macronutrients, sports drinks, fruit and vegetables, alcohol and its impact on performance. Participants attended nutrition education sessions for six months, each one 20 to 30 minutes in duration. Interview and focus group discussions were administered to 20 Ethiopian national squad players and the head and two assistant coaches working with them. The data were analysed using manual coding matrices. The analysis of the interview data revealed that all the national team players exhibited significant knowledge of football nutrition after the nutrition education intervention. The intervention helped them to adhere to proper dietary and recovery procedures, and also significantly helped the players understand dietary CHOs as a vital source of fuel for football which as a result benefited them to change their misconception they had about CHO before the intervention. Some players had believed, at the beginning of the intervention, that alcohol had an ergogenic effect. In conclusion, this study revealed that nutrition education for professional football players can have positive results. The education programme must be entertaining and should not be too long. Based on these findings, was concluded that football players in Ethiopia would benefit from nutrition education targeting an improvement in nutrition knowledge and dietary practices. Key words: Ethiopian national squad football players, dietary practices, Nutrition education, nutrition knowledge. Study – 2. Similarly, to other professional football players, Ethiopian players require appropriate nutritional intake because of the physiological demands of the game. To understand the dietary practices and nutrition plans of these players, a dietary assessment of current Ethiopian professional players was conducted. The aim of this study was to assess the dietary intake of 126 players age M = 27.3, ±SD = 3.0 years), weight M = 72.4, ±SD = 7.0 kg, height M = 1.77, ±SD = .06 m, BMI M = 23.1, ±SD = 1.6 kg.m2 from seven Ethiopian premier league football clubs; during a competitive week, over a four-day period. Food was weighed and means (standard deviation) and 95% confidence limits were calculated and compared across clubs using one-way analysis of variance followed by Bonferroni post-hoc testing. There were significant differences in dietary macronutrient composition across the teams in the four study periods, the dietary intake in g/day and in g/kg of body weight for CHO on Thursday was significantly different M = 344.6, ± SD = 12.5, p = 0.030, g/day compared with Monday’s dietary CHO intake, in g/day and in g/kg of body weight, M = 308.3, ± SD = 96.4 g/day. The study revealed a dietary CHO intake was below the recommendation of 500-600 g/day. With great significant difference among clubs ranging from M = 459.9, ± SD = 104.1, p < 0.001. g/day to M = 256.0, ± SD = 58.5, p < 0.001 The mean dietary CHO, compositions in g/kg of body weight, across the teams were significantly different ranging from, 3.6 (.9) g/kg of body weight to 6.1 (1.3) g/kg of body weight.; In conclusion, the results show that the nutritional intake of the players was not optimal unlike protein and fat the mean daily CHO intake of Ethiopian professional football players was lower than recommended. These findings may have both short- and long-term negative consequences on the performance and recovery as well as health of the players. On the basis of our results, we recommended that nutritional education should be given to the players at an early age and should continue throughout adolescence. Key words: Ethiopian premier league, Dietary macronutrient intake, dietary assessment. Study – 3. It is important that football training load, which includes functional testing, is closely linked with optimal energy intake. This enhances performance and recovery process between training sessions. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between dietary practice and performance and recovery of twenty professional Ethiopian football players from the same team (M = 23.8, ± SD = 3.3 years). During an intense seven-day, (Monday to Sunday) pre-season training period, food was weighed and recorded, and total and macronutrient energy intake was determined, and energy expenditure calculated. Performance testing (Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (YYIR1) was also performed pre- and post the seven-day period. Data were expressed as the mean (standard deviation). A one-way ANOVA, with Bonferroni posthock testing, paired t-tests, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression were used in the statistical analysis. The mean dietary intake for protein was significantly higher in terms of daily intake in grams and per kilogram of body weight across the seven days ranging from M = 257, ± SD = 44, p < 0.001 g/day, to M = 168, ± SD = 24, p < 0.001, g/day. And M = 3.6, ± SD = .7, p < 0.001 g/kg of body weight to M = 2.3, ± SD = .4, p < 0.001 g/kg of body weight. Overall, our results show that the nutritional intake of the players was not optimal and resulted in a high mean daily energy deficit of M = -144.8, ± SD = 1111.7 calories was observed between the energy intake of M = 3765.1, ± SD = 1104.7 calories and the energy expenditure of M = 3909.9, ± SD = 191.2 calories. The study revealed that dietary fat was the highest source of energy, which is not the preferred fuel for football players. The mean distance covered post the seven days of training for the YYIR1 significantly decreased by 25% (pre: M = 2266 ± SD = 526 m versus post: M = 1666 ± SD = 456 m). This result represented a 10% decrease in VO2max values among the study participants from session 1 pre: M = 55.4 ± SD = 4.4 ml/kg/min versus post: M = 50.4 ± SD = 3.8 ml/kg/min. In summary, the YYIRT1 result may have been related to the energy deficit of the players over the seven days of pre-season training. In addition, players consumed higher levels of dietary fat and low levels of CHO during intense training, which is not the recommended for optimal performance and recovery in professional football players Key words: Preseason training, YYIRT1, energy balance and training load. In conclusion, the studies included in this thesis found that 1) elite Ethiopian football players benefitted from a sports nutrition education intervention, 2) there is a disparity in macronutrient composition across football teams participating in the Ethiopian Premier League and 3) energy deficit during a week of intense preseason training is associated with reduced performance and recovery of players.