Adolescents in resource-constrained environments face increasing sedentary lifestyles and obesity rates, necessitating effective interventions for promoting physical activity and combating non-communicable diseases. This study evaluates the impact of a 12 week Nyakaza Move-for-Health intervention on physical activity, anthropometry, cardiorespiratory fitness, and behaviour change among adolescents in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. One hundred twenty-eight adolescents participated, with assessments including self-reported physical activity, anthropometric indices, and cardiorespiratory fitness measures. The intervention significantly increased physical activity levels. The treatment group’s mean score was 2.2 (0.4) at baseline and 2.6 (0.4) (F (14, 79) = 4.884, p = <0.001, η2 = 0.156) at the endline. The body mass index decreased (mean = 22.4 (4.6) at baseline and 21.9 (4.2) at endline; p = 0.025, partial eta squared = 0.025, η2 = 0.004). The intervention programme significantly affected the WHR (mean = 0.80 (0.10) at baseline and 0.76 (0.9) at endline; p < 0.001, partial eta squared = 0.327, η2 = 0.100) and the predicted maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) for the treatment group (mean = 42.4 (8.7) at baseline and mean = 43.6 (8.7) at endline; p < 0.711, partial eta squared = 0.017, η2 = 0.033). Focus group discussions indicated shifts in knowledge, attitudes, and motivation towards physical activity. Power analysis revealed strong observed power (PA: 0.983, BMI: 0.098, WHR: 0.887), indicating the robustness of the intervention’s effects. These findings underscore the effectiveness of the intervention in improving physical health outcomes. It is recommended that longitudinal studies be conducted to assess the long-term sustainability and impact of such interventions on adolescents’ health outcomes, thereby informing the development of comprehensive public health policies and programmes to promote physical activity and combat non-communicable diseases in similar settings.
Abstract The objective was to determine the association between the prevalence of lower back problems (LBP), fear‐avoidance beliefs and pain coping strategies using an analytical cross‐sectional epidemiological study among a group of 366 workers in a South African stainless steel industry. Outcome (LBP) was defined using a questionnaire and a functional rating index. Exposure to psychosocial risk was determined using the Fear‐Avoidance Beliefs (FABQ) and Coping Strategies (CSQ) questionnaires. Multivariate logistic regression analyses for LBP indicated the following significant risk factors: work‐related fear‐avoidance beliefs (OR 3.40; 95% CI 2.20‐5.25), catastrophizing (1.31; 1.01‐1.7) and pain coping self statements (1.47; 1.16‐1.87). Significant protective associations were found for increased activity levels (OR 0.57; 95% CI 0.42‐0.78). These findings have utility in preventative screening procedures to identify workers with such beliefs and coping strategies who are at risk for prolonged work restrictions.
An analytical cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out among 109 manganese plant workers to examine the prevalence and association between lower back problems (LBP) and family and workplace related psychosocial risk factors. Outcome (LBP) was defined using a guided questionnaire and a functional rating index. Exposure to family and workplace related psychosocial risk was determined using the Occupational Risk Factor (ORFQ) and APGAR questionnaires for work and family support. Using inclusive and stringent definitions for perceived LBP, point prevalence was 37.6% and 29.4%, respectively. Only 8 cases of LBP were, however recorded officially over a 7-yr period (1996-2003). Multivariate analyses indicated a high, but non-significant odds ratio (OR) for negative perceptions of workplace support OR 3.29 (CI 0.95-11.30). A positive, non-significant, association for negative perceptions of family support (2.56; CI 0.69-9.52) and a protective, but non-significant, association for control over the order and pace of working tasks (OR 0.40; CI 0.12-1.35) was found. These findings together with the under-reporting, leads one to conclude that work hardening and a cultural ethos of non-complaining among manual labourers, moderates the association between LBP and the aetiological factors studied.
Despite the popularity and health benefits of running, a popular sporting activity performed by many individuals worldwide, runners are at risk of being injured.Of concern is the lack of evidence-based data and information on Ethiopian 10, 000-meter long-distance runners.The purpose of this study was to establish the incidence and the risk factors associated with lower-extremity running-related injuries amongst 10, 000-meter long distance runners in Ethiopia.A prospective study was used over a period of ten months in eleven running clubs and twelve Youth Athletics Training Programs in Amhara Regional State and Addis Ababa.Participants completed a self-reported questionnaire on 1) demographic characteristics; 2) risk factors associates with running-related injuries and, 3) their injury status.Logistic regression analysis and odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) was estimated for the predictor variables.The incidence of running-related injury was 62.4%, corresponding to 0.35 injuries per 100 running hours or 3.54 injuries per 1000 running hours.The most commonly injured anatomical site was the knee (33.6%), with a strain the most common type of injury (36.4%).Participants previously injured had an 8.20 higher OR (2.14-31.40).Runners who train respectively 40km-50km (OR = 0.003, 95% CI, 0.000-0.073)and 50km-60km (OR = 0.053, 95% CI, 0.004-0.728)per week and runners that wore running shoes eight to eleven months (OR = 0.033, 95% CI, 0.003-0.392)was significantly associated with a protective benefit against running-related injuries.Runners, coaches, and medical professionals must acknowledge the specific risk factors associated with runningrelated injuries.The results underscore urgent interventions to ensure that 10 000-meter Ethiopian long distance runners become injury free.
To document the prevalence of soccer related musculoskeletal pain and the exercise performance of the male KZN provincial junior male soccer team.Eighteen players' underwent kinanthropometric, exercise physiological performance assessments and a musculoskeletal pain questionnaire appraisal.The kinanthropometric characteristics measured were body mass, stature and skinfold measurements.The exercise physiological performance profile constituents were resting heart rate, blood pressure, flexibility, muscle strength and endurance, explosive strength, agility and aerobic capacity.Plantar and dorsi-flexion, quadriceps angles and hip extension constituted the flexibility tests.The players abdominal and upper body muscle strength and endurance were measured by the one minute sit-up and one-minute press-up tests respectively.Explosive strength was measured using the vertical jump protocol.Subjects completed a 10m agility t-test and 20 multi-stage fitness test.Out of the 18 players who answered the questionnaire, 72.22% experienced soccer related musculoskeletal pain indicating the knee (42.86%), ankle (28.57%), hip (21.43%), and vertebrae (7.14%) to be most prevalent(p<0.05).The cohort's mean age, body mass, stature, body mass index and percent body fat were 14.33 ± 0.69 years, 53.28 ±7.59kg, 1.63 ±0.08m, 20.04 ± 1.48 kg/m² and 5.55 ± 2.23% respectively.The mean resting heart rate was 59.78 ± 12.74bpm and the derived MAP and RPP were 90.88 ± 18.45 mmHg and7651.84respectively.The players ' push-up (36.44 ± 7.53 rep/min.) and vertical jump (32.42 ± 0.27) scores were below the norm.The subjects' flexibility, abdominal strength and endurance, agility and aerobic capacity were within the normative ranges respectively.The soccer players have sustained musculoskeletal pain over the last 12 months.The players need to adhere to a regular strength training regime to enhance their sport performance as well as to serve as a protective mechanism against musculoskeletal injury.
'%3e%3cpath fill='%23001489' d='M0 0v6h9V0z'/%3e%3cpath fill='%23e03c31' d='M0 0v3h9V0z'/%3e%3cg stroke='%23fff' stroke-width='2'%3e%3cpath id='d' d='m0 0 4.5 3L0 6m4.5-3H9'/%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23b' stroke='%23ffb81c' clip-path='url(%23c)'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23d' fill='none' stroke='%23007749' stroke-width='1.2'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e)
