Research articles (Dept of Physical Education)

Adapted physical activity in Africa: problems and the way forward

2016-08-13T00:02:11Z

Adapted physical activity in Africa: problems and the way forward Onyewadume, Ignatius U. There is paucity of literature, both in international journals and the World Wide Web, on the status and practise of adapted physical activity (APA) in the different African countries. Despite the promises, in the constitutions of various African gorvenments, to guarantee equality of rights and opportunities to all their citizens, people with disabilities have been largely neglected and ostracized. In this paper, efforts were made to review issues affecting the development of APA on the African continent. Challenges facing a number of African counties were identified and discussed. To address the pertinent issues, relevant literature was received and analyzed. The content analysis method was used to identify and discuss the issues.Issues were identified under: a) Governments of various African nations, b) Parents and Guardians of children with disabilities,c) Establishment of separate Ministry of Sport, d) APA professionals, e) Colonizations and language barriers. To strengthen the field of APA, formation of strong professional bodies and collaboration among allied professionals on the African continent were recommended, among others.

Health locus of control and internal resilience factors among adolescents in Botswana: a case-control study with implications for physical education

2016-08-13T00:00:55Z

Health locus of control and internal resilience factors among adolescents in Botswana: a case-control study with implications for physical education Shehu, Jimoh; Mokgwathi, Martin M. Studies exploring self and health belief systems are keys to understanding the challenges to wholesome development of adolescents and creating interventions to enhance their mental, emotional and physical health status. Accordingly, this case-control study compared internal resilience factors and health locus of control among 1700 physical education and non- Physical Education students in the central and south-central regions of Botswana. The study variables were assessed using the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLC) (Wallston et al., 1978:165) and a modified version of the Resilience Scale (Wagnild & Young, 1993:160). Analysis of variance of the loci of control and resilience scores were conducted. Although 78% of the resilience scores were well within the moderate range, females across the comparisons groups had significantly higher resilience scores than the males. On the MHLC subscales Physical Education students were significantly more likely than the referents to believe that their health is controlled by powerful others. Mean scores on the internal and chance loci of control scales were significantly higher among the males. Relationships among resilience and locus of control scores were statistically significant. Directions for future research and physical education interventions are offered.

Acute effects of electronic and tobacco cigarette smoking on complete blood count

2016-08-13T00:06:59Z

Acute effects of electronic and tobacco cigarette smoking on complete blood count Flouris, A.D.; Poulianiti, K.P.; Chorti, M.S.; Jamurtas, A.Z.; Kouretas, D.; Owolabi, E.O.; Tsatzarakis, M.N.; Tsatsakis, A.M. The World Health Organisation called for research assessing the safety of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette). We evaluated the acute effect of active and passive e-cigarette and tobacco cigarette smoking on complete blood count (CBC) markers in 15 smokers and 15 never-smokers, respectively. Smokers underwent a control session, an active tobacco cigarette smoking session, and an active e-cigarette smoking session. Never-smokers underwent a control session, a passive tobacco cigarette smoking session, and a passive e-cigarette smoking session. The results demonstrated that CBC indices remained unchanged during the control session and the active and passive e-cigarette smoking sessions (P > 0.05). Active and passive tobacco cigarette smoking increased white blood cell, lymphocyte, and granulocyte counts for at least one hour in smokers and never smokers (P < 0.05).It is concluded that acute active and passive smoking using the e-cigarettes tested in the current study does not influence CBC indices in smokers and never smokers, respectively. In contrast, acute active and passive tobacco cigarette smoking increase the secondary proteins of acute inflammatory load for at least one hour. More research is needed to evaluate chemical safety issues and other areas of consumer product safety of e-cigarettes, because the nicotine content in the liquids used may vary considerably.

Peer provocation in physical education: experiences of Botswana adolescents

2016-08-13T00:06:34Z

Peer provocation in physical education: experiences of Botswana adolescents Shehu, J Critical incidents of peer provocation in physical education were investigated among 675 junior secondary school students in Botswana. Data were generated through a brief, open-ended questionnaire requesting the students to narrate their experiences of bad, hurtful and offensive peer behaviours during physical education classes. Six overlapping categories of peer provocation that emerged from the data were: humiliation, injustice, physical assaults, sexual harassment; dangerous play and female physicality frighteners. These categories are discussed with reference to the themes central to boys’ and girls’ experiences. To the extent that peer provocation is differentially aimed at boys and girls, it is crucial to recurrently (en)gender its analysis. This study encourages educators in general and physical education teachers in particular to take heightened interest in, and reflect more critically about proactive ways to address the multiple domains and consequences of peer provocation in physical education settings.