Eileen Africa

Stellenbosch University | SUN · Department of Sport Science

The first years of life are an optimal time for developing motor competence. However, the evidence regarding motor competence in early childhood is fragmented and needs to be clearly synthesized and presented. To establish effective evidence-based decision making in research, practice, and policy for the early years, this expert statement, on behal...

Combining physical fitness (PF) and academic content can be a beneficial way to improve PF and mathematics performance of learners. The purpose of the current study was to establish whether a physically active academic intervention had an effect on the PF and mathematics performance of Grade 1 learners over 16 weeks. This intervention is based on a...

The number of youths with a disability is on the rise, with the prevalence being higher in poorer households, indigenous populations, and ethnic minorities. This creates an increased demand for opportunities to participate and compete in Para sport. The Paralympic Movement provides opportunities for Para athletes to compete at the top level. Sport...

Physical fitness and weight in young children are important indicators of health status. Literature has shown that fatness and physical fitness are highly intertwined; considering the two together is important as they influence each other. The aim of this study was to investigate the physical fitness levels and weight status of Grade 1 children (N=...

This study presents the perceptions and practices of fundamental movement skills (FMS), healthy eating habits and physical activity (PA) in early years professionals (EYP). An online mixed-method survey comprising questions relating to practices of FMS, healthy eating habits and PA was completed by 137 EYPs (128 females). Frequency analysis assesse...

Globally, there is a growing need to recognise and realise the importance of physical activity (PA). For children to be active, they need to be proficient in fundamental movement skills (FMS) because these skills serve as the building blocks for more specific and complex movements later in life. To date, no previous study has investigated the FMS p...

Fundamental movement skills (FMS), physical fitness (PF) and body fat percentage (BF%) are significantly related to socio-economic status (SES). However, it remains unclear why previous studies have had different findings regarding the direction of the association between SES and FMS, PF and BF%. A suggested explanation is that the direction of the...

Ballet dancers are exposed to chronic high training and performance demands that are associated with overtraining syndrome and injury. Balancing high training loads with recovery to reduce the risk of negative training adaptations is critical. Moreover, the recovery-stress states of professional ballet dancers during training phases of a season are...

The aim of the current study was to investigate the impact of classroom-based physically active brain-breaks on the in-school activity levels of Grade 1 (six- to eight-years-old) learners (N = 48) by comparing baseline results to the intervention PA patterns of the participants. Children wore Actigraphs accelerometers for five consecutive school da...

Children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) often present motor co-ordination difficulties accompanying their speech and sound delays. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a paired versus a small group gross motor intervention on selected pre-school children, pre-identified with CAS. Children pre-identified with CAS...

Movement is essential for learning. Previous research explored the relationship between movement and academic performance, however, evidence regarding the specific gross motor skills related to reading and spelling is lacking. The current study, therefore, investigated the effect a perceptual-motor intervention had on the relationship between gross...

Rhythmic movement, also referred to as “dance”, involves the execution of different motor skills as well as the integration and sequencing of actions between limbs, timing and spatial precision. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate and compare the effect of a 16-week rhythmic movement intervention on flexibility, dynamic balance, agil...

Recovery-stress states of professional ballet dancers monitored over two different training phases in a ballet season.

Pre-schoolers are in a window period for motor skill development. Visual-motor integration (VMI) is the foundation for academic and sport skills. Therefore, it must develop before formal schooling. This study attempted to improve VMI skills. VMI skills were measured with the Beery-Buktenica developmental test of visual-motor integration 6th edition...

The importance of fundamental movement skills (FMS) are often taken for granted. It is expected that these movement skills will be adequate to get children through their school career, however, some children struggle. Teachers play an important role, as they are able to observe children in the classroom, as well as in a Physical Education setting....

Adolescent girls struggle with life’s complexities and there is considerable evidence supporting the idea that health risk behaviours among adolescents are mounting. These risk behaviours include violence, cigarette smoking, alcohol and drug use and abuse, irresponsible sexual behaviours, unhealthy eating habits and non-physical activity. The main...

The continued integration of our global society has caused a shift in human social interaction and has redefined the contexts of adolescents\' lives. Adolescents are inundated with a variety of choices at a stage of their lives where they are trying to create their own identity. This article focuses on the identification of reversible health risk b...

The continued integration of our global society has caused a shift in human social interaction and has redefined the contexts of adolescents' lives. Adolescents are inundated with a variety of choices at a stage of their lives where they are trying to create their own identity. This article focuses on the identification of reversible health risk be...

The movement abilities of children have undoubtedly become worse during the last 27 years. Physical inactivity is reducing the quality of life in today\'s children who are tomorrow\'s adults. A lack of regular physical activity in youth exacerbates disease incidence and severity. A vicious cycle has developed, reinforcing the negative health conseq...

The continued integration of our global society has caused a shift in human social interaction and has redefined the contexts of adolescents' lives. Adolescents are inundated with a variety of choices at a stage of their lives where they are trying to create their own identity. This article focuses on the identification of reversible health risk be...

Bibliography. Thesis (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2006.