African Journal for Physical Activity and Health Sciences

Effectiveness of the Well-being Therapy in depression management among adolescents in secondary schools in Kakamega County, Kenya

B.G. Bakesia, R.N. Olayo, G.J. Mengich, R.A. Opiyo, S.O. Orinda — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Depression is the third leading public health concern and second leading cause of death for adolescents. Its prevalence in Africa is higher than in developed countries where it is better managed. Well-being Therapy (WBT) is a psychotherapy that improves ones’ self- acceptance, positive relations, environmental mastery, purpose in life, personal growth and autonomy. WBT has effectively managed mental disorders in comparison to other therapies, and its effectiveness has been evaluated. However, more comparative effectiveness studies are needed to validate its efficacy. This study examined the effectiveness of WBT in depression management among adolescents in secondary schools in Kakamega County, Kenya. Kutcher Adolescent Depression Scale of 11 items (KADS-11) and Ryff’s Psychological Well-being (PWB) test comprising 18 items were used to measure depression and PWB scores, respectively. Results showed that WBT was effective in managing depression among the participants. The depression mean score was significantly lower at post-test for adolescents after receiving WBT (mean 13.8, SD=3.6, p<0.001) than the pretest score (Mean 21.0, SD=6.6, p<0.001). The PWB scores for the post-test, were significantly higher than the pretest score for the adolescents (mean 51.3 SD=6.7; 79.5 SD=8.2; <0.001). The effect size test for non-depressive symptoms indicated that adolescents who underwent WBT were favoured significantly (Hedge g=0.9 (0.53-1.52), overall effect size Z=1.26; p=0.05). Post-tests done using same tools as pretest showed that when PWB increased, depression concomitantly decreased. WBT could be an effective depression management tool among schoolgoing adolescents.

Effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions in managing physical and psychological outcomes among refugees: A systematic review

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This systematic review explored the effectiveness of various physiotherapy interventions in the management of physical and/or psychological outcomes such as pain, disability, and mental health among refugees. A systematic literature search was conducted in January 2022, and updated in February 2024, by two reviewers independently in the following databases: Embase, Scopus, PubMed, and PEDro, which were accessible through the Qatar University Library website. The review included three studies, two of which were Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) denoting level 2 evidence, and one which was a pre-test/post-test study, indicating level 3 evidence on the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (OCEBM) framework. The RCTs scored 6/9 (66.6%) and 8/9 (88.8%) on the adapted PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Databases) scale, respectively. All of the studies evaluated the effectiveness of different types of physiotherapy interventions, i.e., physical activity and/or exercises on managing physical and psychological outcomes, including pain, mental health, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, anxiety and depressive symptoms. This review highlights the difficulties in conducting studies, particularly RCTs, in this vulnerable population and demonstrates the urgent need to thoroughly consider all ethical aspects with regards to refugees before undertaking any research. Moreover, it should be evaluated whether or not studies need to be conducted in this group at all.

Relationship between birth weight and physical fitness of Ellisras rural children aged 8–14 years: Ellisras Longitudinal Study

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Birth weight (BW) and physical fitness (PF) have long been considered risk factors for noncommunicable diseases and are important health markers at an early age and later in life. This study aimed to assess the relationship between BW and PF among Ellisras rural children aged 8–14 years. A total of 543 children (300 boys and 243 girls) whose birth weight (BW) were obtained from their health clinic records, participated in the Ellisras Longitudinal Study (ELS). EUROFIT battery test was carried out by all the children using standard procedures. The relationship between BW and PF among children with low birth weight (LBW) and normal birth weight (NBW) was assessed using Pearson moment correlation. The relationship between BW and PF, adjusted for age, gender, and LBW was examined using linear regression models. Low birth weight prevalence was 11.4% and 13.5% for boys and girls, respectively. Birth weight was significantly associated with standing long jump (SLJ) both unadjusted (β = 0.003, 95% CI, 0.001–0.005) and adjusted for age and gender (β =0.003, 95% CI, 0.00–0.006). There was an inverse significant (p<0.05) association between shuttle run (SR) (r²= -0.34) and bent arm hang (BAH) (r²=018) for boys, while girls showed no significant association. Low birth weight children had a low level of muscular strength, explosive power, and running speed performance compared with NBW children. Further research is needed to assess the relationship between lipids, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and BW over time in the Ellisras rural population.

Knowledge and experiences of community health workers in the delivery of physical rehabilitation services in Zambia – A qualitative study of trained community health workers

Miriam Mapulanga , Thembelihle Dlungwane — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

While task shifting physical rehabilitation services to Community Health Workers (CHWs) improves accessibility, the services delivered need to be of good quality. Therefore, this study examined the knowledge and experiences of CHWs in the provision of physical rehabilitation services to children with disabilities in Zambia. An exploratory qualitative study involving ten CHWs from the Zambia Enhanced Community-Based Rehabilitation Programme (ZECREP) was conducted in Lusaka district. Nine major themes emerged from the data. Four of these themes (patient management, treatment programmes, issuing of appropriate assistive devices through a multidisciplinary approach, and levels of care) were highlighted as the required knowledge base of CHWs, whereas five themes (patient assessment and treatment, home programme and family education, assistive devices issuing, a well-functioning referral system, unrealistic caregiver expectations, and resource constraints) were revealed as the essential experiences of CHWs who delivered the required physical rehabilitation services. The CHWs under study experienced unrealistic expectations from caregivers, such as physical rehabilitation would heal a child. These expectations were complicated by a lack of understanding among the caregivers of the role and capabilities of CHWs. Moreover, constraints such as limited resources and a lack of permanent employment were perceived as major challenges. The trained CHWs had adequate knowledge and notable experiences in provision of physical rehabilitation services. In light of the current shortage of Human Resources for Health (HRH), standardised physical rehabilitation training of CHWs country-wide would improve healthcare delivery in Zambia.

Caregivers' experiences of raising children with intellectual disability in Umgeni Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Nombulelo Ntombifuthi Hadebe — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In the South African context, there is little research on caregivers' experiences of raising children with intellectual disabilities (ID). About 12% of the population of people with disability have ID, which ranges from mild to profound and are cared for by their families. Raising a child with ID brings significant life challenges to the entire family. The study aimed to explore caregivers' experiences of raising children with ID. Sixteen caregivers of children with an ID were purposefully selected using a qualitative phenomenological research design. A semi-structured interview guide was used to conduct in-depth one-to-one interviews, which were audio-recorded, transcribed, coded, and translated from IsiZulu to English. Using a thematic approach, the themes and subthemes related to the caregivers' experiences of raising a child with an ID were explored. The majority of caregivers face untold economic difficulties. Providing a child's necessities such as, food, nappies, medication, and transport for medical appointments is costly, and causes financial pressure on the caregivers. Most caregivers have inadequate support system and live in isolation with poor social life. Emotional and psychological distress is high among caregivers of children with ID. Religion, support groups, family support, counseling, and traditional healing are the commonly used coping strategies. The multiple challenges experienced by caregivers underscore the need for inter-departmental collaboration to develop community support structures and strengthen policies and interventions which aim to address the needs of caregivers raising children with ID.

Longitudinal relationship between skinfolds ratios and blood pressure from childhood to late adolescence among Ellisras rural children: Ellisras Longitudinal Study

M. Matshipi , K.D. Monyeki — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study aimed to investigate the longitudinal relationship between central body fat pattern, otherwise known as centripetal fat patterning, with blood pressure (BP) from childhood into adolescence among Ellisras rural children. Anthropometric measurements and BP were taken twice a year from 1999 to 2003 according to the standard procedures. In total, 1961 (1029 boys and 932 girls) Ellisras rural children of mean age 9.2 years were followed throughout the five-year period. In 2003, 1716 children (876 boys and 840 girls) of mean age 13.9 years were still in the study. The proportion of body fat on the trunk relative to that on the limbs was used as an indicator of fat patterning (visceral fat). A longitudinal tracking (Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) technique, which measures the association between an indicator at the first period of measurements and the same indicator at all other periods of measurements, was used with gender and age being included in the model. The skinfold ratio (subscapular + suprailiac / (subscapular + suprailiac + biceps + triceps) was significantly (p<0.05) associated with systolic blood pressure (SBP) before adjusting for age, gender and 1600m run (beta= 9.9; 95%CI= 3.9–15.8). Waist circumference was significantly associated with SBP (beta=0.5; 95%CI= 0.4–0.6) after adjusted for age, gender and 1600m run (beta= 0.63; 95%CI= 0.2–1.0). While diastolic BP (DBP) (beta =0.2; 95%CI= 0.2–0.3) showed positive significant association with waist girth even after adjusting for age, gender and 1600m run (beta= 0.3; 95%CI= 0.1–0.6). The increase in a central body fat pattern was associated with increased BP in early life amongst Ellisras rural children.

An Afro-centric perspective on physical activity: A systematic review of the role of indigenous games among learners in South Africa

M. Sakala , C.J. Roux — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Africa has a rich tradition of time-tested indigenous games that can be adopted to improve physical activity participation and generate positive outcomes in educational contexts. This systematic review was conducted to explore scholarly perspectives in South Africa on the strategic role of indigenous games in promoting physical activities and enhancing learning outcomes. The review explored articles from 2002 to 2022 in accredited peer-reviewed journals. A systematic search of databases found 21 studies that addressed the intersection between indigenous games’ promotion and education to potentially promote holistic development. The review showed that there was a credible rationale for the adoption of indigenous games, as they were associated with positive physical, cognitive and affective outcomes that are beneficial to learners in educational settings. The findings revealed a need for further studies and a well-coordinated research- based policy and strategy for promoting indigenous games among learners to attain optimum physical activity participation levels. The review provides recommendations for further research and strategies for the optimum integration of indigenous games into school- based physical activity programmes.

A comparative review of the physical conditioning profiles of male South African amateur and professional soccer players

K.B. De Wet, T.J. Ellapen, Y. Paul, P.M. Mahlangu — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Soccer performance is determined by various physical characteristics, which distinguish professional from amateur players. There is limited evidence documenting the differentiation between the physical conditioning profiles of amateur and professional South African soccer players, which is the main thrust of this study. Three professional and two amateur soccer teams (n=145) voluntarily partook in this cross-sectional study. Participants’ kinanthropometry, concentric isokinetic knee extension and flexion torque profiles, lower limb explosive muscle power, 40m sprint, flexibility of the hamstring and quadriceps muscle groups, and aerobic capacity were measured using standard protocols. Significant disparities (p<0.01) were found between the physical and performance characteristics of the professional and amateur soccer players’ respectively as follows: body mass (73.1±9.8 vs 68.9±8.3kg), muscle mass (31.5±4.4 vs 31.5±4.4kg), isokinetic knee extension strength at 60°/sec-1 (right: 226±38 vs 209.9±39.1Nm; left: 217±36 vs 199.5±32.5 Nm), isokinetic knee flexion strength at 60°/sec^-1 (right: 162±25 vs 145.4±28Nm; left: 157±25 vs 139.5±25.1Nm), 40m sprint time (5.4±0.2 vs 5.6±0.6 sec), vertical jump distance (50.2±4.8 vs 41.7±4.6 cm) and aerobic capacity (55.3±3.9 vs 51.7±4.8 ml/kg/min). South African professional male soccer players are better physically conditioned than their amateur counterparts. Soccer coaches and physical conditioning specialists should embrace these findings which could form the basis to prescribe enhanced conditioning programmes to improve the physical and performance characteristics of amateur soccer players comparatively with those of professional players.

Sustainable development programmes by non-governmental organisations in the Sport-for-Development Sector in Johannesburg, South Africa

M. Manaka, C. Burnett , C.J. Roux — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating in the sport-for-development field have delivered a variety of programmes in the Johannesburg metropole. This study addressed key issues about sustainability at three NGO case studies funded by the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, a sport-for-development organisation that offers humanitarian programmes to impoverished communities in Johannesburg, South Africa. The research was grounded on theory of change as well as resource-dependency and systems theories. The heories were comparatively applied to analyse practical scenarios in the NGOs' case studies. Qualitative research methods as well as inductive and deductive data were used to address the research objectives and the case studies of the NGOs. Document analysis and virtual interviews were also conducted with decision-makers and programme instructors to collect appropriate data. The findings revealed that diverse resources are required to ensure sustainability of the NGOs, along with fundraising techniques. Funding provided by external stakeholders is not guaranteed as it is based on financial capacity. Due to global financial and social constraints (e.g., COVID-19 pandemic), it has become evident that stakeholders can retract or reduce funding provided to NGOs. NGOs face sustainability challenges, based on financial diversification, programme delivery and governance issues. Financial constraints, remuneration of personnel, access to resources and programme implementation all negatively impacted on the sustainability of development programmes in this study. In view of such challenges, sustainability is a critical issue that NGOs must include in their strategic planning.

Pre-service educators' perspectives on the role of physical education as a means for values education in South Africa

C.J. Roux , M. Sakala — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The rapidly changing world characterised by technological comforts, social ills and complicated lifestyles has contributed to the decline of traditional values in most societies. Physical education (PE) programmes should employ holistic developmental approaches to instill desirable values in learners. The aim of the study was to determine and explore pre-service educators' strategies in infusing values education through PE lessons. The study was grounded in the social learning theoretical framework. In this qualitative study, information was gathered from open ended questionnaires, unstructured interviews and reflexive journals from a purposively sampled cohort of final year pre-service PE educators at a tertiary institution in the Gauteng province of South Africa. Thematic analysis was applied in which raw data from interview transcripts and texts were used to examine topics, ideas and patterns which emerged repeatedly from the data. The data were interpreted to confirm, contradict or reveal novel findings in comparison with the literature. The themes which emerged from the study included pre-service educators' conceptualisation of values, reasons for values education and strategies to include values education in PE. The findings showed that PE was associated with positive values which contributed to character development. The participants proposed various pedagogic strategies such as role modelling, developing an appropriate environment as well as placing learners in small multicultural groups as critical means to instill desirable values through PE. The study recommends that schools prioritise values education through PE in view of its pivotal role in engendering holistic development in learners in the South African context.