Browsing by Author "Naidoo, Rowena."

Now showing 1 - 11 of 11

Anthropometric characteristics, grip strength and physical activity levels of children with physical disabilities: a case study.
(2020) Dorfling, Micaela Ashley.; Naidoo, Rowena.; Chetty, Verusia.
Physical disability impedes the completion of daily functioning and tasks in children with disability often resulting in exclusion from participating in physical activity. The problem is that a lack of physical activity results in a higher risk of non-communicable lifestyle diseases, to which an individual with physical disability is already predisposed. The participation of children with disability in sports and recreational activities promotes inclusion, minimises deconditioning, optimises physical functioning, and enhances overall well-being. Despite these benefits, children with disability are more restricted in their participation, have lower levels of fitness, and have higher levels of obesity than their peers without disabilities. Therefore, the screening and monitoring of children using simple health indicators such as anthropometry, physical activity levels and grip strength is essential to identify children who may be at risk for chronic diseases, for those who can improve their quality of life through changes in their lifestyle; and it can help raise awareness of the need to increase their participation in physical activity. Often physical activity is underestimated for children with disability, well-informed decisions with regards to types and best suited physical activity programmes are more easily formulated following identification of overall health status and individual activity preferences, such as through measurement of physical activity levels, anthropometric characteristics and hand grip strength.
Clofazimine in the treatment of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis with HIV coinfection in South Africa: a retrospective cohort study.
(Oxford University Press., 2014) Padayatchi, Nesri.; Gopal, Murali.; Naidoo, Rowena.; Werner, Lise.; Naidoo, Kimesh.; Master, Iqbal.; O'Donnell, Max Roe.
Abstract available in pdf.
The development of a professional development programme for physical activity promotion in adolescents' physical education classes, Nigeria.
(2020) Osifeko, Olalekan Remigious.; Naidoo, Rowena.; Chetty, Verusia.
Introduction: Nigerian adolescents are physically inactive and unable to enjoy the health benefits of exercise, due to the lack of physical activity (PA) during physical education (PE) classes. Adolescents’ PA can be promoted in different environments, such as at school and in the wider community. Schools promote PA through school sports, at lunch break and in PE class. School-based interventions in PE classes have been effective in promoting PA in adolescents and encouraging healthy lifestyles. Purpose of the study: To develop a professional development programme for PE teachers in junior secondary schools and to evaluate its impact on students in order to improve PA in Nigerian schoolgoing adolescents. Methods: This study employed a mixed-methods approach, including intact group and action research designs. A purposive sample of 1200 students were recruited from twenty-four junior secondary schools, from the Epe local government area, in Lagos State East senatorial district, Nigeria. The schools were sampled and purposively assigned to an intervention group (n= 14) and a control group (n= 10). Teachers (n=14 intervention; n=10 control) and students (n=695 intervention; n=498 control) participated in the study. Students completed the Attitudes and Practices of PA for Adolescents (QAPPAA) questionnaire pre- and post-intervention. A PE teacher from each school participated in the teacher-training intervention (n=24) and in focus group discussions pre- and post-intervention. The professional development training (PDT) was designed, based on the focus group discussions (FGDs) and information from the related literature. The data collection tools for pre- and postintervention were teacher FGDs and validated student questionnaires. Quantitative data were analysed with the use of a statistical package (IBM SPSS Statistics version 25, US) which performed descriptive and inferential tests and analysed significant differences between pre- and post- intervention. The one-sample t-test was applied to test for significant agreement or disagreement to statements measuring attitude to PE, pre- and post-scores. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to test the post-intervention scores, to determine the interaction effects of categorical interval scale variables. The Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test was applied to observed differences between the two dependent measurements, to discover whether there was a statistically significant difference in mean scores or not. Lastly, the analysis of the qualitative FGDs was carried out with the aid of computer-assisted data analysis software (Nvivo 12), to identify and interpret themes and sub-themes that emerged from the FGDs.
The effect of a sport stacking intervention programme on fine and gross motor skills in preschool children.
(2017) Daya, Bhavik.; Naidoo, Rowena.
Introduction The lack of physical activity among children is alarming and has become a major health concern as children are not engaging in enough physical activity to assist in the growth and development of the child. The development of motor skills in children plays an important role in the level of physical activity children engage in. If a child cannot efficiently run, kick, jump, catch, etc., then the opportunities to participate in sport and other physical activities will become limited because they will not have the necessary skills to do so. Fine motor skills are just as important as gross motor skills and are necessary for the development of basic self-help skills. Activities like sport stacking is believed to improve hand eye coordination, reaction time and motor proficiency. Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a five-week sport stacking intervention programme on fine and gross motor skills in preschool children. Methods The study was a quasi-experimental non-equivalent controls design with a pre- and postintervention assessment. The sample selection was a convenient sample of 40 participants between the ages of four and six years. The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, second edition (BOT-2) was used to assess fine and gross motor skills. The data collected in this study was subjected to various statistical procedures. All the data was analysed by a computerised statistical procedure (SPSS Version 19) and descriptive (means and standard deviations) and inferential (paired t-tests and independent t-tests) statistics were used to test significant differences pre- and post- intervention with p ≤ 0.05. Results Results demonstrated that the intervention group significantly improved in several fine and gross motor areas. Paired samples t-test for the intervention group showed significant differences for five items assessed (copying a star, transfer of pennies, dribbling a ball – alternating hands, sit-ups and one legged stationary hop). Independent samples t-test showed significant differences for transfer of pennies and dribbling a ball - alternating hands. Analysis of covariance showed significant differences in copying a star, transfer of pennies, tapping feet and fingers – same side synchronised, dribbling a ball – alternating hands and one-legged stationary hop. Conclusion A sport stacking intervention programme is a suitable method to improve fine and gross motor skills in preschool children.
The effect of therapeutic horseback riding on heart rate variability of children with disabilities.
(2015) Nqena, Zingisa Zine.; Naidoo, Rowena.
Introduction: Heart rate variability (HRV) is the oscillation in the interval between consecutive heart beats, resulting from dynamic interplay between multiple physiologic mechanisms that regulate instantaneous heart rate. Short-term heart rate regulation is governed by sympathetic and parasympathetic neural activity and therefore HRV examination can be used as a non-invasive estimate of the functioning of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Aim: To determine the effects of therapeutic horseback riding (THR) intervention on the HRV of children with disabilities including autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, pervasive developmental disorder, sensory problems, and Down syndrome. The objective was to examine if THR intervention improves the HRV of children, hence improving the parasympathetic activity that is associated with a calm and relaxed state. Methods: This is a quasi-experimental design. Heart rate variability components (time and frequency domain) were measured over six intervention group sessions of THR which were conducted once a week for six weeks. The duration of the THR sessions was 20-25 minutes for each group. The THR sessions included riding, mounting and dismounting, trotting, as well as performing activities such as extending arms and throwing a ball while on a horse. Heart rate variability measures were recorded from 29 participants presenting with various disabilities, and was assessed in both time and frequency domains. Results: Over the six THR sessions, the time domain component (RR interval) showed a significant increase in HRV for pre-THR from session one to session six (p=0.011), indicating improved vagal activation. However, frequency domain showed both increased sympathetic activity from session one to session six (p=0.022) reflected by component coefficient of variance for low frequency (CCV LF) and increased parasympathetic activation during THR from session four to session six (p=0.045), reflected by total power (TP). Conclusion: Therapeutic horseback riding intervention of six sessions demonstrated a change in HRV of children with disabilities. However, the changes obtained were not significant to make conclusive measures as to whether sympathetic or parasympathetic activity is predominantly increased after the six sessions. Further research involving a larger sample with a single type of a disability would be recommended to improve the reliability and validity of the study. Furthermore, having a control group would improve the reliability of the study.
Exploring ethical leadership in high school football: a case study at circuit level in Durban.
(2016) Ndlovu, Ayanda Linda.; Naidoo, Rowena.; Proches, Cecile Naomi Gerwel.
Abstract available in pdf.
Female athlete triad risk stratification in KwaZulu-Natal elite sprint and distance swimmers.
(2015) De Freitas, Ashleigh Jennifer.; Naidoo, Rowena.
Introduction: The Female Athlete Triad (FAT) is a syndrome that poses a serious threat to the health status of physically active females. It comprises of three components that were adapted to the American Collage of Sport Medicine (ACSM) 2007 Position Stands criteria and consists of three interconnected components namely; low energy availability (with or without disordered eating) that occurs due to insufficient calorie intake in combination with high amounts of physical activity, menstrual dysfunctions defined as exercise induced menstrual dysfunction, and low bone mineral density (BMD) in which the bone mineral density is weakened as a result of prolonged menstrual dysfunction. These components are linked across a continuum of healthy (optimal energy availability, eumenorrhea (a menstrual cycle of twenty eight days), and optimal bone health) to unhealthy. Aim(s): To determine the risk stratification for the FAT in elite sprint and distance swimmers. Method(s): Twenty one provincial and national level KwaZulu-Natal sprint (n=11) and distance (n=10) swimmers with a mean age of 18.95 (6.3) years voluntarily participated in this descriptive, cross-sectional study. For descriptive purposes, anthropometric measurements (weight, height, skin folds and Body Mass Index (BMI)) were recorded. Each participant completed three eating disorder questionnaires (Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26), Body shape Questionnaire (BSQ-34) and a Bulimic Investigatory Test, Edinburgh (BITE)), one Menstrual Cycle and Time Spent in Exercise Questionnaire and a Self-Administered Bone Mineral Density questionnaire. A Bioelectrical Impedance Device was used to measure full body composition. The participants were requested to complete an online ASA24 Dietary Recall of the previous day’s food and drink intake. The criteria for the risk of the FAT was determined by a positive score for all three FAT components (low energy availability (with or without eating disorders, menstrual dysfunction and low bone mineral density). Result(s): The comparison between the different sporting disciplines showed that sprint swimmers are more at risk (63.6%) for disordered eating compared to distance swimmers (50%). Low energy availability was significantly evident in sprint swimmers with a result of 9.79 kcal.kg-1FFM.d-1 (SD 9.56). Out of the total sample size, only six (28.57%) swimmers were classified as having a menstrual dysfunction. Sprint swimmers showed to have a 90.9% 10 risk of low BMD. The overall results signified that out of the total sample group, 9.5% were not at risk, 14.3% showed a low risk, 52.4% had a moderate risk and 23.8% were at a high risk for the whole FAT. Conclusion: Elite sprint and distance swimmers are not at risk for the FAT, however, elite level sprint and distance swimmers are susceptible for the risk of FAT components.
The health and fitness profiles of sport studies students at a tertiary institution in South Africa.
(2014) Glossop, Gregory John.; Naidoo, Rowena.
Introduction The first time most adolescents start to take care of themselves with limited parental support is when they attend university. The watchful guidance of parental support typically wanes and students start to change their habits to suit their lifestyle. This study therefore presents data and related analysis of health and fitness profiles of a selected cohort of students. Aim of the Study: The aim of this study was to determine the health and fitness profiles of Sports Studies students at a tertiary institution in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Methodology: The study was a cross-sectional design of undergraduate students. Three separate year groups (first year, second year and third year) were recruited. A purposive sample of first, (n=70) second (n=90) and third (n=90) year Sport Studies students completed a health questionnaire and a range of physical fitness tests. Descriptive and inferential techniques including the use of correlations and chi square test values were used to analyse data. Results: The sample consisted of 165 students with a mean age of 21.48 years (SD±2.48). First year’s (n = 41) comprised 24.85% of the sample, while second year’s (n = 62) 37.58% and third year’s (n = 62) 37.58%. The sample comprised of 116 males (70.3%) and 49 females (29.7%). According to South African racial classifications the sample consisted of 86.1% of the students who self-identified as Black African, 7.9% Indian, 3.6% Coloured and 2.4% White. The cohort’s mean BMI was 24.09 kg/m², with a general increase from first year (22.65 kg/m²) to second year (24.24 kg/m²) and to third year (24.87 kg/m²). Similarly, there was a mean increase in body weight of 4.09kgs between first and second year, and a mean increase of 3.81kgs from second to third year. In total, there was a mean body weight increase of 7.9kgs from first to third year. The mean body fat was 13.32% for the cohort with first year females at 23.87% and first year males 6.44%. In total, 31.5% males and 4.8% females were overweight or obese. Only 1.8% of the total sample was underweight. There was a mean increase in relative VO₂max in the study cohort (1st years 31.86 ml.kgˉ¹.minˉ¹, 2nd years 33.47 ml.kgˉ¹.minˉ¹ and 3rd years 34.42 ml.kgˉ¹.minˉ¹). The mean VO₂max for the entire sample was 33.43 ml.kgˉ¹.minˉ¹ with male students averaging 36.48 ml.kgˉ¹.minˉ¹ and female students 26.1 ml.kgˉ¹.minˉ¹.. It was reported 78.2% of the sample exercised on a regular basis, with 72.9% being male. Conclusions: Overall results showed that throughout the three years of study, weight and body fat percentage of students increased progressively along with body mass index, waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratios. Such increases are of utmost concern and may be directly associated with low physical activity levels and poor dietary habits. A decrease in physical activity, frequency and participation may be the cause of the reported decrease in physical fitness levels. This area of concern may be a major factor related to the general increase in selected anthropometric measurements. Also prevalent was the variance in results between males and females, with males accounting for 72.9% of regular exercisers. The discrepancy in gender and physical activity and fitness levels is of concern.
The impact of a school-based physical activity intervention on learners' health behaviour.
(2014) Nyawose, Siphamandla Eugene.; Naidoo, Rowena.
Introduction: Five percent of South African youth are obese, 20% overweight, 13% stunted and eight percent is underweight. Physical activity among children and adolescents is believed to be insufficient and low levels of physical activity seem to persist from childhood into adulthood with this increasing prevalence of obesity and overweight among children and adolescents, development of interventions to promote PA in children and adolescents is a priority (van Sluijs et al., 2007). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a school-based PA intervention on learners’ health behaviour. Methods: This study was a quasi experimental, non-equivalent groups design. An intervention programme and assessment pre- and postintervention was conducted. Two schools (one control and one experimental) from the Clermont Township in KwaZulu-Natal were purposively selected by KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health. Grade six learners (n=129), their parents (n=19), school principals (n=2) and educators (n=21) participated in this study. Learners completed a battery of tests and completed a physical activity questionnaire for data collection. Principals and educators were interviewed to determine their perspectives on physical activity teaching and learning. Parents participated in focus group sessions. The intervention was implemented in the experimental school for the four month intervention period by the educators. Discussion and conclusions: Study findings indicate that a schoolbased PA intervention programme can increase learners’ fitness levels. The study showed that the introduction of various methods of physical activity within the schools’ existing curriculum, working with educators and parents can improve physical fitness and healthy eating habits in the learners without disrupting normal learning and teaching in the school. Furthermore, this study a school-based physical activity intervention can improve physical activity awareness among teachers, learners and parents.
Monitoring the change in health behaviour of learners in selected health promoting schools in KwaZulu-Natal.
(2009) Naidoo, Rowena.; Coopoo, Yoganathan.
Abstract available in PDF file.
The short-term effects of a sports stacking intervention on the cognitive and perceptual motor functioning in geriatrics.
(2016) Moodley, Kamantha; Naidoo, Rowena.
Introduction: Sport stacking has been shown to improve cognitive and motor functioning, such as reaction time and hand eye coordination, through studies conducted on children in grades two and three but limited research exists to suggest these improvements in other populations. Due to the decline in cognitive and motor functioning resulting from aging and the correlation of falls occurred with decreased cognitive functioning, improvements in these aspects may promote an improvement in brain functioning and quality of life in geriatrics. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of sport stacking on geriatric motor and cognitive functioning. Methods: This quasi-experimental design with a pre- and post-intervention selected a purposive sample of 60 geriatric participants in a retirement home located in the eThekwini region, KwaZulu-Natal. Participants were between 60-90 years old; had no physical disabilities; had no sports stacking experience; had no medical conditions including Alzheimer’s or Parkinson's disease or medication for Vertigo, hand eye coordination or memory, had no orthopedic complications, and were sedentary. All participants’ Body Mass Index were measured using the Nagata BW- 1222 W. Performance on Hand eye coordination was tested by using the plate tapping test, Reaction Time was tested by using the Position Speed Test, Memory was tested by using the SOMCT questionnaire, and Balance was tested by using the Sharpened Romberg Test. The quality of life assessment was measured by using the Lawton’s Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Questionnaire. Thirty participants were exposed to an eight week intervention twice a week for 60 minutes while the control group (n=30) continued with activities as per norm. Pre- and post-intervention results were analysed using the statistical programme SPSS Version 19. Means and Standard Deviations, and paired t-test statistics were used to test significant differences pre- and post- intervention. Results: The intervention group showed improvements in their reaction time (x̅ - 4.464)(σ 3.986) and plate tapping (x̅ 2.629)(σ 2.468) times. However, the control group also had an increase in reaction time (x̅ -1.933)(σ 4.849) and plate tapping (x̅ 1.538)(σ 3.255) times. The improvements found in the control group were not as significant as what was found in the intervention group. Overall, there were no changes in the balance results pre- and post-intervention. There were no significant results found in their memory, quality of life and hand eye coordination tests. However, the intervention groups’ sports stacking times improved over the eight week intervention and this could possibly be due to an improvement in skill level. Conclusion: It was apparent that the sports stacking intervention proved to be beneficial in improving motor functioning in geriatrics.