BIRTHDAY ISSUE
May 2012 mediachef4292
Universiteit2 Medalist van Pretoria • University of Pretoria • Yunibesithi ya Pretoria Privaatsak • Private Bag X20 Hatfi eld 0028 • Suid-Afrika • South Africa • Afrika Borwa Tel: +27 (0) 12 420 4111 • Fax: +27 (0) 12 420 4555 Feature 46 Nutrition: Nutrition applied to sports injury and rehabilitation 6 High Performance on a budget 48 Sport Science Gym: Cross Training made easy 8 10 Cheers for 10 Years! 50 Parenting in Sport: To win requires mastery of 10 History of the Olympics skills
People 52 Medical: Integrated Approach to Rehabilitation 16 In the dugout 54 Exercise Science: 6 Point check of trail running 18 The game of chasing 56 Exercise Science: Debunking the Dogma 20 New heights without a fuss
22 Nothing gray about Emily TuksSport High School
26 Legend: Toby Sutcliffe 58 The Evolution of TuksSport High School
High Performance Services TuksSport News 62 30 Psychology: The psychology of sport injuries
34 Physiotherapy: Integrated approach to Inside News rehabilitation, the missing stability factor 64 36 Biomechanics: Are Glutes really King? From The Sideline 38 Biokinetics: Where does Biokinetics fall in the integrated approach to exercise? 70
42 Biokinetics: From Rehab to the Training Field
44 Nutrition: PVM Medalist 3 The Medalist is published by the hpc. Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessary those of the hpc and the University of Pretoria and are believed to be correct at the time of going to print. No responsibility can be accepted for errors and omissions. Copyright 2005 hpc. All rights reserved. No articles or photographs may be reproduced, in whole or in part, without specific written permission from the editor.
TuksSport (Pty) Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of the University of Pretoria and is trading as hpc University of Pretoria
Publisher: hpc, PO Box 14622, Hatfield, 0028, Tel: +27 12 362 9800, Fax: +27 12 362 9890 Executive Editor: Toby Sutcliffe, [email protected], Managing Editor: Leonore Jordaan, [email protected], Layout: Maunée Meiring, [email protected]
4 Medalist from the
CEO’S OFFICE
The eyes of the world will be on in London, a just reward for all their sports event between our TuksSport London in just a few months time blood, sweat and tears. High School and schools of similar when on the 27th July 2012 the ilk from around the world during the In this issue we take a look back at Opening Ceremony of the XXXth first week of December. the history of the Olympic Games Olympiad, hosted by the City of as well as the origin of the Olympic We are very proud of our London, will be held at the newly symbol and colours as well as at achievements over the past ten years built Olympic Stadium. With only South Africa’s participation at the and look forward to another decade a few months to go to the London Olympics and the participation of of sport, science and knowledge and Olympics the hype is building South African “exiles” who took part developing the next future sporting the closer we get to the opening for other countries over the years icons of this country. ceremony. due to our sporting isolation and A number of International athletics other reasons. These articles are and swimming teams have already written by Johann Russouw who visited the hpc for their training won an award for these articles camps building up to the Games. which were originally transmitted This bears testimony to the fact in radio programmes. I am sure you that the hpc and the University of will find them extremely interesting Pretoria has world class facilities and and will learn a lot more about this is seen as the venue of choice for the prestigious event that you may not final preparations for a number of have known. potential medallists at the Olympic As mentioned in my last Editor’s Games. article, this year, 2012, is an historic The hpc has been requested by year in the life of the hpc as we are SASCOC (South African Sports celebrating our 10th Anniversary. Confederation and Olympic We will be hosting an International Committee) to host the pre- seminar/conference from 15 – 17 departure camp for Team South June with a number of International Africa in July and we are very proud speakers lined up to deliver papers of this fact and will pull out all on “Beyond 2012 Coaching a the stops to give the athletes and new generation” and this will be officials a send off to remember. The complimented with a prestigious preparation of the athletes based sports banquet on the 15th of June at the hpc is going well and we are and the celebrations will finally hopeful that they will do us proud culminate with an international
Medalist 5 Feature |
High Performance can you create a high performance on a Budget environment without spending any money?
Text: Wayne Goldsmith
regularly asked to work with schools, can’t afford to do everything you amateur sporting clubs and part time would like to do (optionals), spend coaches on a range of performance time, effort and money on the things related issues, athlete attitudes, you have to do (essentials). motivation techniques leadership development, coach development In sport, there are millions of things and sports performance you could do – look at the enhancement programmes. long list of sports products and services available to choose from: Recently a client from an amateur equipment, nutrition supplements, but highly successful sporting Club clothing, sports science asked me, “Wayne, we hear what equipment, technology, software…… you say about the best high in fact it is harder to decide what not performance environments to do then what to do! in the world and about tools like GPS systems, ice baths, recovery centres, With so many choices to make the latest video analysis systems and so many potential purchases and having a sports medicine team possible, it is critical to think available 24 / 7. But we are all part rationally and intelligently timers. We gladly donate our time about what you spend your high to coach the team and we have to performance dollar on and to fit our coaching around our jobs and establish a clear rationale for When clients ask me to work with our family. Our budget is minimal. spending money in the high them, it is usually to help them Can we still create an effective high performance area. become the best they can be in one performance environment without or both of these two areas: spending any money? Start with a simple High Performance Prioritisation exercise: 1. Help them to create a sustainable Yes, you can. winning culture Priority One: Essential: must do; The first step…Prioritise. Priority Two: Important: should do; 2. Help them to create a world class Priority Three: Desirable: could do; high performance environment. The first step in doing anything Priority Four: Optional: would like Although most of the time I get where money (or the lack of it) is an to do. to work with professional sports issue is to establish priorities - if you and elite level Olympic teams, I am
6 Medalist | Feature
Priorities will be based on what performance environment)?” Football and basketball but when the team is trying to achieve at money is an issue, a good gym the time – on what the team’s In a sport like football for example: with reasonable standard training core philosophies are all about. Can we be competitive without equipment will suffice. For example, a team who decides regularly training together to our to enhance their performance by full potential? Priority Three: Things that are increasing the size, strength and Answer: No. desirable – “perfect world” things. power of all players in the off season Can we be competitive without might score gym work as Priority taking sports supplements? For example, in a “perfect world” One. Answer: Yes. all players would have access to a Can we be competitive without one hour massage three times a Another team that has decided consistent hard physical training? week. But, when it comes down to enhance their performance Answer: No. it, most players are OK with one by learning faster and improving Can we be competitive without using massage and taking responsibility their skill levels might score video heart rate monitors, lactate for implementing their own recovery technologies and feedback tools analysers and GPS tracking systems? programme. as Priority One and gym work as Answer: Yes. Priority Two. Priority Four: Things that are It is funny! Having gone through this optional. Clearly, not everything in a high prioritisation exercise with performance environment can be many sporting teams over the past In the optional category are quite Priority One at all times. ten years, inevitably the things that often time saving devices and consistently score. technological advantages: things that One exercise I have found that works can potentially save time and well is to bring the key drivers of Priority One are “people” factors – reduce inconvenience but in a the high performance programme i.e. coaching time, player attitudes, tight budget situation, they can together – senior athletes, coaches, cohesion and communication across be overcome by a little hard work, sports science, sports medicine the organisation, player behaviour improved communication and and strength and conditioning issues, on field off field leadership learning some new skills. staff together and have them work etc. The lesson here is that ultimately collaboratively on establishing - even in professional sporting Summary: priorities for the team. Ideally teams, people, their attitudes and this exercise is completed for four their passion to perform are the real 1. Unless you have an unlimited specific periods: difference between winning and budget – (and there is no one in the Off season; Immediately pre season; losing, and most importantly….. world who can honestly say that In season; Immediately post season. their budget is unlimited) – Priority One: Things that are Attitude is free; building and sustaining an effective essential. Desire costs nothing; high performance environment Passion has no price tag; comes down to choices: to This is the toughest part: deciding You pay zero for Commitment. prioritising how, when and where what you absolutely can not do you will allocate resources; without. Everyone will argue that Amateur sports can think like, act 2. Priorities will change from season their particular area or skill or like, perform like successful, to season (and even within seasons) philosophy is the most important. winning teams if they build their depending on the situation and the Strength and conditioning coaches culture around people factors. challenges the team is will argue that spending time in the facing at any time; gym is essential. Physiotherapists will Conversely, a professional team 3. Create a high performance argue just as passionately that with the money to buy and build priorities system that works for you injury management is essential. the world’s best performance – one that compliments the overall Coaches will argue that the most environment will fail unless the right direction and philosophy of the high essential element of all programmes people with the right attitudes are performance programme; is coaching time spent working with driving the programme. 4. Invariably, people drive athletes on the technical, tactical and performance! If you only had one strategic skills of the game. Clearly Priority Two: Things that are single dollar to spend, spend it on not everyone is right or wrong – the important. enhancing the performance of your process is dynamic. people – it is the one high Priority two issues are those which performance programme investment The simplest way to resolve these are important but not essential. that returns ten times what you arguments is to ask this question: Having a world class gym with the spend. “Can we be competitive without latest equipment is important for “xyz” (where xyz is one aspect of the a sport like rugby, AFL, American
Medalist 7 Feature |
10 Cheers for 10 Years!
Text: Rick de Villiers Image: Reg Caldecott
th It’s not as if the occasion was for the hpc to live up to the hype With the hpc’s 10 inauspicious. Among those surrounding it. anniversary coming attending the official ribbon-cutting on that crisp May evening were Within that year the centre played up, The Medalist sports luminaries like Gary Bailey, host to the Belgian Olympic team, Daan du Plessis, and Danie Visser. and also received a number of takes a walk down Also caught in sparkle of flashing eminent guests, among whom one memory lane. cameras were then-Minister of- of the most famous names in soccer, Sport, Ngconde Balfour, and the Sir Alex Ferguson. former president of Athletics SA, Leonard Chuene. Prof. Callie On the development front, three Pistorius, rector of the University of academies were initially established (gymnastics, swimming, tennis), and Cast your mind back ten years. Your Pretoria at the time, beamed like a it took little time for serious athletes initial decade-old memory might proud parent and made so bold as to to make South Africa’s newest be of a younger, thinner you. But declare the hpc the new address of sports hub their home. But what you probably wouldn’t remember sport in Africa. distinguished (and still distinguishes) that petrol sold at an unthinkable the hpc from other sports centres R2.23 per litre, or that the Queen All the bricks had been laid, all was the founding of a school that Mother passed away that year. It’s the nooks had been dusted. catered specifically for the needs of unlikely that you’d recall who won The centre boasted conference promising youngsters. the first American Idol competition facilities, an auditorium, high- (Kelly Clarkson) or what you got for end accommodation lockers, a restaurant, a sports-science gym, In 2002, only 27 learners were Christmas. You almost certainly enrolled at the TuksSport Study wouldn’t pin 2002 as the year medical offices and a sports- technology unit. The members of Centre (now TuksSport High that the High Performance Centre School), but this number has since opened its doors. staff were geared and expertise was on tap. All that remained was mushroomed to over 200. The
8 Medalist | Feature
academies, too, have multiplied. to ensure he had enough personal capable to deal with any kind of The hpc quickly left behind its space) and in the unforgettable challenge. Though there will be no humble beginnings and incorporated memories of those boys who were further branching out among the a number of other sports into elected to carry the players’ bags. academies, the centre hopes to their portfolio. Soccer (men’s and carry on its tradition of excellence women’s), taekwondo, rowing, golf, Toby Sutcliff, CEO of the hpc, thinks and remain the beacon for specialist cricket, athletics, table tennis, judo this a good example of the hpc’s sports centres in South Africa. So for and triathlon are all now part of the ability to accommodate the needs the ten years past and those yet to stable. of its clients. ‘You can’t be all things come, let us raise our glasses! to all men, but it’s our policy to But what makes the hpc special is make sure our visitors are happy. that it’s a home away from home. In this business, it’s adapt or die – Countless international teams and hosting the Argentinean team and sportspeople have signed the certainly showed that we can adapt. hotel register, and some have left even more permanent reminders ‘The project was an unbelievable of their visit. The most notable experience, and so too seeing the archaeological traces belong to the manner in which all the staff entered Argentinean soccer team, who made into the project. Nothing was ever the hpc their base camp during the too big or too menial to do, and 2010 FIFA World Cup. At the request everyone pitched in to ensure that of the (in)famous Diego Maradona, we offered them the best experience new luxury toilets (‘E-Bidets’ to the possible.’ value of R14 000) were installed. The squad’s legacy also lives on in There probably isn’t another FIFA a new suite (Maradona had a wall World Cup on the horizon for South between two rooms broken down Africa, but hpc has proven itself
Medalist 9 Feature |
F THE O Y R
O
T
S
I H lympics
Text and images: Johann Russouw
Games always took place between equinoxes and it was either one of The Olympic Cycle August 6th and September 5th or these that were usually regarded as between August 20th and September the start of the year. This, as well as The Modern Olympic Games th (Summer and Winter) take place 19 , thus during early autumn. the rising and setting of certain stars every 4 years and this period is formed the basis of the farmers’ known as the Olympic cycle. But why Many of the other Pan Hellenic calenders during the period of is the Olympic cycle fixed on 4 years? festivals, such as the one at Pythia, Hesiod which were characterised by were celebrated with intervals of various religious rites. The official history of Olympia began 4 years. However, some festivals with the 1st Olympiad in 776BC and were celebrated with intervals of 3 The ancient Greeks, however, the games festival at Olympia has years (i.e. Isthmia) or even 2 years calculated their time according to the been celebrated since 776BC at (i.e. Nemea). There were also the moon months and the moon years, intervals of 49 or 50 months. This festivals at Delphi and Thebes that resulting in the moon determining period of 4 years has been known were held at the extreme intervals which day was favourable and which by the Greeks as the penteteris. of 8 years! The Olympic penteteris was not. The duration of the sun The Holy Month during which the dates back to ±800BC and the proper year is 365¼ games took place coincided during regulating of the calender was a days the uneven Olympiads (49 months) subject of great religious importance with the Elean month of Apollonios to the people of that time. It was and during the even Olympiads of great importance for them to (50 months) with the month of chose the correct moment in Parthenios. According to the Elean order to appease the unseen calender, Appolonios was the 8th powers or gods responsible month and Parthenios the 9th month for their well-being. The after the winter solstice. The festival goodwill of the unseen was always held during full moon powers was especially and the earliest full moon during necessary for their Apollonios was on August 6th with agricultural activities and the last full moon on September these were determined 5th. The earliest full moon during by the seasons of the Parthenios occurred on August 20th sun calender. The most and the full moon was on September significant elements of the 19th. Consequently the Olympic sun year were the solstices as well as the day and night
10 Medalist | Feature
into cycles of 49 and 50 months, of the Olympic Movement and also the Greeks invented the Olympic to put it on the white Olympic flag penteteris and it is quite likely that as the centre piece and main feature this change started at Olympia as on the flag. The Olympic flag with early as 776BC and was eventually the Olympic symbol on it was first followed by almost all the Greek shown in public at the IOC’s congress city states. Because Zeus, the god in 1914 just before the outbreak the universe, was regarded the of World War I and its official first most important god at Olympia, appearance at an Olympic Games the Olympic Festival or Games was at the Games of 1920 in the were characterised by prominent Belgian capital, Antwerpen. Three cleansing festivals, religious rings form the top and two are sacrifices and sports activities at interconneted at the bottom. The the beginning and the middle of colours of the top three rings are the Great Year (i.e. every 4th year) (l to r) blue, black & red and the at the altar of Zeus at Olympia. The colours of the bottom rings are (l adoption of a 4 year cycle for the to r) yellow and green. According modern Olympic Games by the IOC to the founder of was a logical one. the Olympic Games, REFERENCES: Gardiner, EN: Olympia: It’s History & Remains; compared Oxford Univ Press, 1925, Russouw, JL: Die Geskiedenis & Baron to a moon Tradisies van die Olimpiese Spele; Unpublished series of radio year of only 354 talks, NOCSA, 2005 days, because a moon month consists of only ±29½ days. This means that a moon year is 11¼ days shorter than a sun year. In order THE OLYMPIC to make up the difference between SYMBOLS the moon year and the sun year, it was periodically necessary to add The Olympic Symbol is the leap days as well as leap months to five interconnected rings. It the moon year, but unfortunately is widely accepted that the 5 the arbitrary intercalation of such rings are supposed to represent periods by the priests resulted in the continents from where the endless confusion. The first step competitors come to take part to eliminate all the confusion that in the Olympic Games (Africa, existed was the discovery that 8 sun the Americas, Asia, Australia and Pierre years were more or less equal to 99 Europe). However, the true origin de moon months. (The exact difference of this symbol is its discovery on Coubertin, is only 1¼ days) This discovery was a marble altar among the ruins at least one of great importance because every at Delphi. This altar dates back of the colours on the 8th year meant the start of a new to ±600BC and was possibly used Olympic flag, the white background calender. The cycle of 99 months was during the included, appear on the flag of known as the Great Year because Pythian each participating country. The it reconciled the moon year with Games white background of the flag the sun year as well as the spring that symbolises peace and purity day and night equinoxes which and the interconnection of signalled the start of the farmer’s the rings represent the calender. This important occurrence atmosphere of friendship was widely celebrated with special during competition at the cleansing rites and special offerings Games. to the most important god in a particular community. The Olympic Oath was written by Baron Pierre de It is quite possible that the earliest Coubertin and instituted religious festivals at Olympia were for the first time at the held before 776BC at intervals of were Olympic Games of 1920. The 8 years. Because the intervals of held Belgian fencer, Victor Boin, was 8 years were extremely long and every the first competitor to take the inconvenient, the festivities at 4th year oath on behalf of all the competitors. Olympia were in the course of time in honour of When the Olympic Oath is taken, a changed to the beginning and the the god Apollo. The IOC decided at representative of the host country middle of the 8 year cycle. By simply its congress in 1913 to accept this holds onto the Olympic flag during dividing the 99 month Great Year 5-ring symbol as the official symbol the opening ceremony and solemnly
Medalist 11 Feature | declares: “In the name of all the us thy light, upon this ground and competitors, I promise that we shall under this sky, first witnesses to thy SOUTH AFRICA’S take part in these Olympic Games, glory. PARTICIPATION AT THE respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them, in the true spirit Give light and vitality to these OLYMPIC GAMES = of sportsmanship, for the glory of noble games: throw imperishable sport and the honour of our teams”. floral crowns to the victors in the Part 1 The original wording ended with running, wrestling, and discus, and ‘countries’ but it was changed in the with thy light animate hearts of The early history of South Africa’s 1960’s because of the IOC’s desire steel! In thy light, plains, mountains, participation in the Olympic Summer to eliminate nationalism at the and seas shine in a roseate hue Games was determined by the class Olympics. and form a vast temple to which distinctions for which the haughty the nations throng to adore thee, O Imperial British government was The Olympic Motto is Citius, Altius, immortal Spirit of antiquity’. notorious. These class distinctions were inevitably influencial in shaping The Olympic Creed originated the South African society as well as during a church service in St Paul’s the local politics, with devestating th Cathredal on June 19 , 1908 consequences for South African sport to which all the participating due to the local and international competitors were invited. reaction. During his sermon shortly before the start of the Just as it did in the other colonies, the Olympic Games of 1908 British Imperial government of the in London, the bishop 18th and 19th centuries regarded the of Central Pennsylvania non-whites of South Africa, as well (USA), Ethelbert Talbot, as the Dutch speaking white settlers, who attended the as politically and socially inferior. The international conference deliberate and purposeful policy of of Anglican bishops Anglicisation, as well as the British in London, used the Government’s eventual following phrase: ‘The only acquisition of full safety, after all, lies in the political controll lesson of the real Olympia over the whole of – that the Games themselves South Africa by are better than the race and the 1902, resulted prize…..and though only one may in English wear the laurel wreath, all may speakers share the equal joy of the contest.’ also taking Fortius. It is a Latin phrase which Baron Pierre de Coubertin was so control of means Faster, Higher, Stronger impressed by these words that South African and was used for the first time at during a speech at a banquet in the sport. The class the Antwerpen Games in 1920. Holborn Restaurant in London, he distinction and Historians differ on the origin of this referred to the sermon and used arrogant social motto, but the latest research has the following words: ‘The most discrimination of the revealed that a Dominican monk, important thing in the Olympic British, which began as father Henri Didon (1840-1900) was Games is not to win, but to take a form of linguistic racism, would responsible for it. Father Didon, part, just as the most important eventually be carried over onto the who was a personal friend of Baron thing in life is not the triumph, but sportsfield too and it had a profound de Coubertin, used this phrase to the struggle. The essential thing influence on all South African motivate his students at the Arcueil is not to have conquered but to sportsmen and –women because College in Normandy. have fought well’. These words are membership of clubs, provincial- displayed on the electronic message and national sports bodies and The Olympic Hymn, characterised boards during all Olympic opening associations were firmly entrenced by its solemn beauty and classical ceremonies.. and regulated on purely racial lines inspiration was composed by the REFERENCES: Ecker, T: Olympic Facts and Fables; Tafnews since 1910. This discriminatory Greek, Spiridon Samaras for the Press, 1996, MacAloon, JJ: This Great Symbol; The University philosophy, which became an inherent of Chicago Press, 1981, Russouw, J: Die Geskiedenis & inaugural Modern Olympic Games Tradisies van die Olimpiese Spele; Unpublished series of radio part of the white community of South in 1896 and the text was written by talks, NOCSA, 2005 Africa’s life style, led to the non- one Greece’s greatest poets, Kostis whites’ struggle for equal recognition. Palamas: Eventually this degenerated into open conflict which was not only confined ‘Immortal Spirit of antiquity, to the political arena, but also spilled father of the true, the good, and the over onto the sportsfield, resulting in beautiful, descend, appear, shed over the total international sports boycot
12 Medalist | Feature of South African sport, which was Hillense, J Schutte, P Lombard and talent that he won the British title. He lifted only in 1990. P Visser – came 5th. However, this was chosen to represent Great Britain participation in the Olympics was in the lightweight category at the There is speculation that South Africa unofficial, since South Africa did not Olympic Games of 1948 in London. At considered sending a team to the first have a national Olympic committee his best he could have been a medal Olympic Games in 1896, but that the yet. At a meeting of the IOC in 1907 contender, but unfortunately a bout Jameson Raid of 1895 in the Transvaal a motion was accepted that the four of appendicitis ruined his chances and and the consequent political tension Britisch Colonies, the Cape Province, he finished in 13th position. He also put paid to the idea. The aftermath Natal, the Orange River Colony and competed in bodybuilding and was 3rd of the Anglo Boer War, which ended the Transvaal be invited to take part in in the 1948 Mr Universe competition. in 1902, caused great resentment of the Fourth Olympiad , as South Africa Ronnie, who was a teacher by the British Government in the four and an Olympic Committee, with profession, also represented England colonies (the Cape Colony, Natal, Henry Nourse as president, to handle at the Commonwealth Games and the Transvaal and the Orange River South Africa’s affairs was founded on ultimately emigrated to Canada. Colony). However, several January 3rd, 1908. leaders, including Sir Abe Precious McKenzie was the great- Bailey, Dr Leander Most publications refer to Len Tau grandson of a Scottish big game Jameson and Mr and Jan Mashiani as Lentauw and hunter. He left school when he was Henry Nourse, saw Yamasini. According to Prof Floris 17 to join a circus as an acrobat, but sport as a means van der Merwe they were Tswanas the owner refused to employ him. of bringing about and NOT Zulus as reported widely. The owner of the gymnasium where peace and Prof Van der Merwe also refutes all Precious, who was only 1.50m tall, reconciliation. references to BW Harris as being from used to train and practise his stunts, Two years after the Transvaal. According to him Harris Kevin Stent, eventually persuaded the Treaty of hailed from Aliwal North. him to take up weightlifting. He Vereeniging immediately fell in love with (in 1902), Sir REFERENCES: Opperman, WJ & Laubscher, L: Africa’s First the sport and progressed Olympian;, SANCOC, 1987, Russouw, J: Die Geskiedenis & Abe Bailey, at his Tradisies van die Olimpiese Spele; Unpublished series of rapidly to become own expense, sent a radio talks, NOCSA, 2005, Van der Merwe, FJG: Suid-Afrika se the best bantam- Deelname aan die Olimpiese Spele: 1908-1960; Unpublished cricket team captained D.Phil thesis, PU vir CHO, 1978 weightlifter in by Frank Mitchell to England. South Africa. Two years later (in 1906), a Springbok At the South rugby team captained by Paul Roos African Coloured was sent on a tour to England and in SOUTH AFRICA’S Weightlifting the same year a South African football Championships team captained by Harry Heeley OLYMPIC EXILES = just before the undertook a successful tour to South Olympic Games America. All these teams included Part 1 of 1960, he and players from all four provinces and Johnny Geduldt made an important contribution to The period of Apartheid and Separate both set getting the reconciliation process Development was characterised by new under way. the retention of the white minority’s domination at a time when it was South Africa’s first participation in the the distinctive feature of colonial Olympics was in 1904. At the time, administration as well as when every General Piet Joubert was on a tour of anti-slavery, anti-rasist and anti- America (USA) with his ‘circus’, which capitalist politician declared it was depicted the events of the Anglo Boer the “most hideous crime against War. During the Louisiana Purchase humanity”. Apart from depriving Exposition, he was in St Louis to take millions of people of their right part in the Anthropological Exhibition to dignity, it also forced many of when three South Africans entered South Africa’s best sportsmen and for the Olympic marathon. They were -women to pursue their careers as BW Harris (Aliwal North) and two exiles in foreign countries for the Tswanas, Len Tau (Lentauw) and Jan sake of taking part in the Olympic Mashiani (Yamasini). Despite Len Tau’s Games. running off course for 1.5km when he was chased by a dog, he took 9th The first of these exiles was Ronald place. Although Jan Mashiani was in (Ronnie) Eland. Born in Port Elizabeth last place after 5km, trailing the leader as a coloured person, it was his Michel Spring by 14min, he finished destiny not to represent his country South 12th. BW Harris did not complete the of birth in weightlifting at the Olympic African course**. South Africa’s tug-of-war Games. Consequently he emigrated records which were better than that team - consisting of C Walker, P to Britain in 1947 and such was his of their white counterparts. However,
Medalist 13 Feature | both were left out of the team to matter with the Minister of Sport, husband and children, eventually represent South Africa at the Games Mr Dennis Howell, who assisted in moved to the United States of in Rome. The biggest insult to these Precious McKenzie obtaining his America. two brilliant weightlifters was that British citizenship. His perseverence, Eddie Gaffney was included in the dedication and hard work eventually Cornelia Bürki is another South South African Olympic team in spite of paid off handsomely when he was African who took part in die Olympic the fact that he failed to post any total chosen to represent Great Britain at Games of 1984. She grew up in die at the official Olympic trials. the Olympic Games of 1968 and 1972 Eastern Cape town of Humansdorp in the bantam -weight category. as Cornelia de Vos and moved to In 1963 Precious left the selectors no Switzerland having married a Swiss other choice than to include him in Precious McKenzie also represented national. She became a naturalised the ‘non-racial national team’ to the England at the Commonwealth Games Swiss citizen and finished 6th in the World Weightlifting Championships in 1966 as well as 1970 and won 3000m in Los Angeles. in Stockholm. Because whites had gold medals on both occassions. He REFERENCES: Connock, M: The Precious McKenzie Story; the exclusive right to be awarded won a third gold medal for England Pelham Books, 1975, Eley, H: Zola – The Autobiography of Zola Bud;, Partridge Press, 1989, Russouw, JL: Die Geskiedenis & Springbok colours, the team was not in the fly-weight division at the Tradisies van die Olimpiese Spele; Unpublished series of radio allowed to wear the official national Commonwealth Games of 1974 with talks, NOCSA, 2005 sports the British monarch as one of the spectators. He later emigrated to New Zealand and won a 4th gold medal in the bantam-weight category for his new country. In 1975 Precious was awarded a MBE in recognition of his invaluable contribution to sport.
The shy but talented Bloemfontein schoolgirl Zola Budd caused a sensation when she broke the 5000m world record in January 1984 at an athletics meeting in Stellenbosch. As a result of her grandfather being born in London, British citizenship was hastily and controvercially arranged emblem for her and on April 6th, 1984 she of the country. Consequently it could escape the international sports was required of the team to wear a boicot against South Africa. Zola was badge representing only the head of included in the British team to a springbok. Due to the policies of compete at the Olympic Games the South African government of the of 1984 in Los Angeles where time, Precious was not regarded as she finished 7th in the 3000m a representative of the country as after being involved in the a whole, but only of the non-white unfortunate Mary Decker community of South Africa. It was incident. In 1985 she won also required of him to leave the the World Cross Country ranks of the non-white weightlifting championship in Lisbon association under SACOS and join (POR) and followed it up a special non-white weightlifting with a second World Cross associationwhich was affiliated to Country Championship SANOC. Precious was so humiliated by in Neuchâtel (SWI) the this that he decided not make himself next year. The opponents available for the team to Stockholm. of South Africa’s international Instead, he decided to leave his participation in sport regarded hometown, Pietermaritzburg, the Zola Budd case as a convenience and emigrate to England in 1964 passport and, although they could where he found employment in not prevent her form taking part in a shoe factory (Crockett & Jones) the Olympic Games, their emotional in Northampton. When he was harassment as well continous injuries denied a British passport, the British forced her to return to South Africa Weightlifting Association took up the in 1988. Zola, accompanied by her
14 Medalist | Feature
NB AD
Medalist 15 People |
In the dugout: Q & A with Marchant de Lange
Text: Rick de Villiers Images: Reg Caldecott
The Medalist caught Q: Your debut test match was the team, or did you have to undergo 2011 Boxing Day test against Sri- certain rites of passage before you up with the Protea’s Lanka, in which you knocked over were wholly accepted? eight wickets. If you were nervous, young express bowler, you certainly didn’t show it. How A: It was very easy slotting into the Marchant de Lange, did you cope with the pressure and team. The team has a great group manage to do so well? of players, and it is a very relaxed and asked him about environment, so it’s easy to find your BMT and being the A: I was a little bit nervous, which is feet. normal, but I was really excited to newbie in the national be playing alongside my heroes and Q: Do you have a nickname in the test squad. representing my country. Pressure team? Perhaps something like will always be around but I’m just Merchant of Death? Q: The most pressing matter first: enjoying the challenges ahead. A: No, I don’t have a nickname how did it feel when you found out although everybody calls me that you’d been picked for the SA Q: You’re turning 22 in October. As “Channa”. cricket team? a relatively young guy, is it daunting sharing a locker room with greats like Q: What is the best part of being in A: I was obviously very excited. It Jacques Kallis and Dale Steyn? was a dream come true for me. I the national squad? received a call from Andrew Hudson, A: I am really privileged to have such A: Representing my country is who broke the news to me, but Gary experienced players around me. It has been an eye-opener watching an honour that nothing else can Kirsten and Morné Morkel were compare to, and that’s what makes some of the first to congratulate me. how the senior players go about their business on and off the field. They being in the national squad so I had just finished a training session special. with the Titans and I was on my way are true professionals. home when I got the call. Q: Was it easy becoming part of the Q: Tell us a bit about your
16 Medalist | People
DoB: 13 Oct 1990 Hometown: Tzaneen, Limpopo Bowling style: Right-arm fast Domestic Team: Titans Best Test figures: 8/126 IPL Team: Kolkata Knight Riders Vital Statistics Vital
involvement with the University of you most looking forward to playing Pretoria and the HPC in particular. against and why? A: I joined the Tuks Academy in 2009 A: I look forward to playing against and I was coached by the current all international opponents, since Proteas fitness trainer Rob Walter. they are all good provide a decent The Academy was a great stepping challenge. However, I am really stone to where I am now and I looking forward to playing against learnt a lot during my time there. Australia. They are (and have always The HPC has brilliant facilities, and been) one of the top teams in world it was a great environment to be in, cricket, and I love the challenge of especially as a young cricketer. playing against some of the best Q: What has been the most players in the world. embarrassing moment in your cricket Q: You’ve recently been signed by career? the Kolkata Knight Riders and will A: The most embarrassing moment be on show in the IPL very soon. for me was bowling that no-ball on Are you excited about the coming my debut T20 match against New season? Zealand in Auckland. The Black Caps A: I am looking forward to the needed 5 runs of the last ball, and I experience, although I don’t know bowled a no-ball. Luckily I recovered, what to expect. It will still be and Tim Southee failed to score of interesting to experience another the actual last ball. country and the challenges that Q: Which international team are come with it.
Medalist 17 People |
The game of chasing Text: Carla Venter Images: Reg Caldecott
The lane in front of him is clear but exceeded everyone’s expectations,” thus far. There is a good chance that on his inside and outside he can hear he says. Willie will be in the relay team for the familiar sound of spikes hitting the Olympics. tartan. The adrenaline is rushing Willie is currently studying theology through his veins as he picks up at the University of Pretoria but His pre-race preparations consist of speed. He has less then 100m to athletics has taken over most of his pasta the night before, two nights close a 5m gap and to outrun the life. “I practise a lot but at least I love of good rest and preparing his race athlete on his inside. Yet, Willie de it,” he says. He was born and bred strategy. “I'm paranoid, I'm always Beer doesn’t get fazed by this. He in Pretoria but says he isn’t a typical afraid I'll get sick or injure myself loves the chase. ‘golden boy’. “Winning hasn’t come before a big (athletics) meet,” he easily. I’ve never been one of those says while shaking his head. He The tall 24 year old Afrikaans boy natural talented athletes. I have to had an injury in 2009 and couldn't smiles when he speaks about a work very hard to win”. compete for a year. “That brought chase like the one mentioned above. me back to earth and I realised I'm “I don’t know what it is, but when He has big dreams for the future more then just an athlete. There are some one is in front of me I’d give but declares that he reached most so many different parts of being me”. everything to get past him. I never of his short term goals in the past give up,” he says. year. He was named Tuks Sportsman He doesn't like to mention his of the year in 2011 and he won athletics when he meets someone Willie was one of the four relay a medal (and broke a record) at new. “Immediately the person (if athletes to beat the South African the World Championships. He also he's an athlete) is competitive or record in August last year. Willie, broke the elusive 46 seconds mark they judge you”. Shane Victor, LJ van Zyl and Ofentse in the 400m. He wants to go to the Mogawane, won the silver medal Olympics and he is currently trying There are a few people who play against all expectations at the World to better his personal best time of a big role in Willie's success and Championships and improved the 12 45:68 seconds in the 400m. The motivation. “My girlfriend, Danielle, year old South African relay record. qualifying time for the A-standard always keeps me grounded. She America won the gold that day. “That for the Olympics is 45:35 seconds. always makes time to come to my day, all of us ran to our utmost best. Oscar Pretorius being the only South meets and supports me,” he says. I don’t know how it happened. We African to qualify for this Olympics
18 Medalist | People
Danielle is a physiotherapist and was the athletics team physio at the World Championships in 2011. Then there is his coach, Hennie Kriel. “He has taught me so much. He is the most positive person I know and it rubs off. He is a know it all but in a good way,” says Willie.
Being an professional athlete also has a down side. “I never get to go on holiday. I miss my friends and family because I don't have a lot of time to myself.” Willie is part of a big family, both of his biological parents married again and he says he now has four parents. With a handful of siblings there's never a dull moment.
In a short time this blue eyed boy reached almost all of his goals. “I'm searching for new goals but I know one of them is to go to the Olympics”.
If his 'chase record' is any thing to go by it seems Willie will have no problem achieving this. As he himself says; he loves the chase.
Medalist 19 People |
New heights, without a fuss Text: Carla Venter Images: Reg Caldecott
Spiders, snakes, heights nor losing scare Craig Canham. The thing he is most afraid of is ”The City”.
Far removed from his little home town, Matatiele in the Eastern Cape, he sits, still wearing his sports wear after a hard day at TuksSport High School. His hours consist of practises, study, eating and some more practises.
The 1,95m tall athlete moved to the Jacaranda city at the end of 2010 – the same year he won the gold at the South African championship in the under 17 high jump. Craig is only 18 years old, yet he is currently the number three high jumper in the country, seniors included.
He looks uncomfortable, although we’re in his territory (the HPC ). He says that he doesn’t like compliments and bragging doesn’t come naturally.
“I miss my family the most. I have four brothers and a sister. My mom, Irene, and my dad, Cedric, are the best parents anyone can ask for.
I’m afraid of the city, there are so many bad things lurking. I’ve seen people loose their life to alcohol or drugs here,” he says. Craig tells the story of how his mom and dad, although both unemployed, managed to get him on a bus to Pretoria for athletic meets. “I never had a coach before I came here and now I am blessed with an amazing coach, Hugo Badenhorst,” he says.
20 Medalist | People
His personal best is currently 2:10m Last time I was there an old friend but he is hoping to improve that shouted across the fence, for every height to 2:15m to qualify for the one to hear, that he saw me on TV,” World Juniors in Spain later in Craig says with a shy smile. “Not a lot the year. “I have a lot of dreams. of people leave our town for the city, Qualifying for the Junior’s is one and you know”. But he says he would I want to win the gold at the 2016 move back in the wink of an eye. Olympics,” he says. He misses the green lush mountains After a quick recovery from a back of his home town on the border injury, which he confidently declares of Kwazulu Natal but he came to as a miracle, he is reaching new Pretoria with a goal. “I have the best heights as one of South Africa’s most facilities, coach and opportunities. It promising. doesn’t always feel real, you know, being here”. He giggles nervously when asked if he ever had a big mishap “At the The highlight so far in Pretoria? 2009 South African Championships “Meeting my hero, Jacques Freytag. I asked to borrow some tape from He says I’m the next world champ,” another athlete to mark my jump. Craig says while fiddling with his He didn’t really want to give me fingers. But he quickly adds that any so I made another plan. I was he still has a lot of work to do. He so nervous. It was my first big knows sport wouldn’t last forever as competition and I travelled far. he always keeps reminding himself. When they moved the bar up to 2m, “I want to coach and give back to the which was the highest I’ve ever had community I came from”. to clear, I jumped into it (the bar) head first. I forgot everything about He looks down and again reiterates jumping. I was so embarrassed”. the role his parents have played in his athletics. “They are my hero’s. He acknowledges he learned from I don’t know how they make ends experiences like these. “I’m very meet but that’s the thing with them. head strong and very competitive They always do, without making a though I don’t show it. I just need fuss about it.” to clear my head before a jump,” he says with a smile. In four years time Craig Camham might be one of our golden athletes What does he miss the most about at the Olympics, you know, without home? “Oh my mom’s curry and rice. making a fuss about it. I also miss how our family used to talk for hours. I’d have six cups of tea in a session like that!”. That’s why, although his parents are hundreds of kilometres away, he still phones them before every meet. And no, he has no lucky underwear, no special dinner the night before, he has a simple solution – he always prays.
He misses home but it’s “weird to be home some times”. It’s a very small town. The kind of town where you know your neighbour’s business and so you share it with the rest of the town. Matatiele only got their first traffic light recently. “I think some of the people in my town get uncomfortable around me. They don’t know whether I’ve changed.
Medalist 21 People |
In a recent interview for the University of Pretoria’s Perdeby Nothing gray about newspaper the following was written in closing about South African Paralympian swimmer, Emily Gray. Emily Text: Steven Ball Images: Reg Caldecott
“Described by Rolling Sport website at his own rating. If he permits the achievements of the past drives as someone who ‘tackles life with his loss to make him embarrassed me as it hold so much promise” quiet determination and dedication – and apologetic, he will draw whether it is international swimming, embarrassment from others. But if What age did you start swimming succeeding at university or fighting he gains his own respect, the respect and why? cancer’, few believe she will fail to of those around him comes easily.” make the team and wear the South - shows the respect, admiration Emily: “Ábout 12/13 years old. I was African colours at the 2012 London and appreciation Emily has from actually quite bad at it previously. Paralympics.” her team mates and coaches for I was a runner not a swimmer! I her attitude, dedication, level of started swimming only after loosing This is truly an apt description of motivation and always willing to my leg.” Emily specifically if you have known challenge herself and her body. The You had cancer? her for a while like we have in the strides or should we say strokes of TuksSwimming programme. The improvement in Emily, has been Emily: “I had what they called one thing that we most definitely enormous over the last number of Osteosarcoma or ‘bone cancer’ have learnt is that there is more years since joining our programme. of the Femur bone. Initially it was than meets the eye and Emily has an assumed that I had a muscle injury amazing story to share. An example So who is Emily and what can we or injuries due to running, but I of this is how Emily has taken on learn from her? We took some time always had pain! The pain persisted enormous roles in disabled sport to ask some questions and get a for around 8 months with no way in South Africa, where she has just greater insight. forward. I had been for treatments completed her year as Nedbank but nothing helped. Eventually I Brand Ambassador and the SA Sport So why Swimming & what drives went to a Chiropractor thinking it for Physically Disabled (SASPD)’s you to still be in swimming today? was a pinched nerve. He noticed torch bearer. Emily: “I was a runner before the that the one hip was swollen which Emily has formed an integral part cancer, so sport has always been led to X-Rays and they found the of our TuksSwimming team over in my blood. After loosing my leg, Osteosarcoma. This led to the the last 4 years and the quote by swimming was the next best thing. doctors starting Chemotherapy on Alexander de Seversky - “I discovered The way the water ‘holds’ me, me” early that the hardest thing to it’s almost as if my disability goes “Having over the period of time of overcome is not a physical disability away (especially when I was much treatment, learnt the different types but the mental condition which it younger). When I swim I like to see of pain, for example the difference induces. The world, I found, has a myself as everyone else” and being able to distinguish way of taking a man pretty much “The goals I have set for myself and between bone versus muscle pain, I
22 Medalist | People
Medalist 23 People |
would encourage athletes today to Emily: “After the wound had healed Emily: “Igor has taught me a lot look into “injuries” and the type of properly, which was about 6 months about discipline specifically in pain a lot earlier. This holds true for later, I started swimming. My dad terms of the life of an athlete. Food, me today as an athlete and I feel I took me to the Mandeville Sports training and sleep are examples am able to distinguish a lot better for club in Johannesburg to try out of areas I have learnt more about. myself when to worry and when not” different sports, but I realised that Control of your own training swimming was best suited and I felt is important and from a stroke So after the Chemo? the most comfortable.” perspective his input has been a huge investment in me” Emily: “Well I had Chemo for “At Mandeville I started swimming about 6 months, in the drip form. under coach Gregg Price and was “Well my 4th place at the World So it was one week on a drip and with him for about a year. He really Championships in Eindhoven in the three weeks at home. I had lost built me up and taught me how 400m freestyle in 2010 and most enormous amounts of weight during to swim. He built the program up definitely making the Olympic team this time. I had lost lots of hair – it systematically, that is the number of for the 2008 Beijing Paralympics happens – and my sense of smell had sessions per week, the volume and stand out as memorable moments in become so sensitive, along with my particularly worked on my strokes.” my career to date.” sensitivity to cold. However we saw that the tumor was not reducing in After that I moved to coach Peter What would you say are your size and in fact had increased, so the Williams, which was a big jump in ultimate goals in swimming and life options the doctors gave was either training. He taught me a lot about and what do you see yourself doing a hip replacement, but the concern strokes and my fitness improved one day? was there the cancer had already significantly. However a shoulder spread down the leg, or amputation. injury crept in. Shortly after for Emily: “To hold multiple world So we made the call and amputated” various reasons I left and went to records in different events and train with Coach Steve Haupt, after most obviously to medal at the “After the amputation we had 2 which I moved to the TuksSwimming Paralympics are some of my more months of Chemo to ensure program under Coach Igor swimming goals. As for life though the cancer was all gone!” Omeltchenko (May 2008)” I would like to live a full and happy one. ‘Live each day as if it were the How long after did you start What has coach Igor taught you and last!’ swimming and who has coached what has been your greatest success you since then? to date? To be able to travel and see the
24 Medalist | People
world is a big dream of mine and and sleep, food and fast swims! If all times. Linked to life, you will actually if this could be through being goes according to plan the Olympics be surprised how you can get involved in the medical field in in London. Past London, well that through things! an organisation such as ‘Doctors difficult to see past it right now as without Borders’ specialising in everything is geared toward London Emily is always very appreciative of Paediatrics, I would be very happy!” Paralympics, but 2016 in Rio is a her sponsors over the last number strong possibility!” of years namely the HPC, Speedo So what has swimming taught you? SA and VRP (Vitamin Research What was your experience like as Products). This shows the character Emily: “In life, if you want something, Nedbank Brand ambassador and of Emily through and through. you got to go and get it! Discipline, SASPD torch bearer the last year? The words of Stephen Hawking dedication and self worth – how to summarises the character and appreciate my body and how to treat Emily: “Amazing! I learnt so much minset of Emily. A true champion it. Focus is also always key” specifically from a business point of in the making. On behalf of view in sport. Things like functions TuksSwimming and the hpc we really Who is a great role model for you and corporate involvement and how wish Emily well! and if you could anyone in the to ensure you able to keep sponsors world who? and important individuals informed and satisfied at all times” Emily: “Oscar Pistorius and been an inspiration and role model for what If you had a similar he has achieved. I would however situation thrown love to meet Mr. Nelson Mandela. He at you again, such is such a legend and done so much as the cancer at for our country. I want to ask him a young age or how he was able to always remain so someone else was calm and emotionally stable through diagnosed with everything he endured?” cancer at a young age, what would you say to yourself So what do the next few months or that person? look like for Emily? Emily: “Stay Strong! That you are Emily: “Hard training, lots of rest actually able to get through difficult
Medalist 25 People |
Only a handful of the current hpc of the pioneering role the High PE, Toby matriculated in 1976 at staff members can lay claim to the Performance Centre played in South the prestigious Grey High School. fact that they have been at the hpc Africa. Marrying high performance After his compulsory military service since its inception, and still work sport and education and streamlining in the Navy, he enrolled at the PE here today. Toby Sutcliffe, CEO of it into an economically viable model Technikon where he completed his the High Performance Centre is required a special touch – and Toby Sales and Marketing qualification. one of the few. Toby worked as proved to have just that touch. While still a student, Toby was general manager at the ICON rugby recruited by the late Springbok, academy when, in 2000, TuksSport, Toby’s success in establishing a Amos du Plooy, to work in the PE ICON and the University of Pretoria business plan in the world of high Technikon Sports offices. During this planned the establishment of a performance sports services was time he completed the South African high performance centre which evident in the response he received Institute’s Public Relations diploma. would include a sports school for when he presented the hpc and its the exclusive attendance of talented business model to sport services After ten years in the PE Technikon’s youngsters from various sport at the Association for Sports sports office, Toby went into sales specific academies. His first official Performance Centres congress in and marketing positions in the liquor function at the hpc was as sales and Beijing in 2007. He was swamped industry before he moved onto an marketing manager at the grand by CEO’s and general managers of international electronics company. opening of the facility in May 2002. prestigious sports institutions around He was recruited as general manager the world, all requesting private of ICON Rugby when rugby became Many things have changed since consultation opportunities. At the a professional sport, and then joined the doors opened on 10 May end of the 2007 Congress, Toby was the hpc in May 2002 as sales and 2002, in large part thanks to Toby’s elected onto the ASPC board as marketing manager. initial advice in terms of business Vice President, with the directive to opportunities and his knowledge represent Africa, a position he still Toby actively participated in of the needs of the international holds today. hockey and cricket since his days sports market. It was not long before as Grey boy, establishing himself as he was promoted from sales and Achieving success in the fickle wicketkeeper and opening batsman marketing manager to CEO of the world of sports administration in in the cricket team, and centre back company in 2005. Since he took up South Africa requires someone in the hockey team. When he retired the position of CEO the company has with strong leadership qualities, from playing club level hockey and flourished and its turnover shown vision, superior people skills, cricket, he took up golf at age 28. It immense growth. business acumen and an in-depth wasn’t long before he played league knowledge of sport. Looking back golf and won tournaments such as The road up to where the hpc at Toby’s road to becoming CEO, the National Nomad’s tournament finds itself today has - at times - it seems that his current position in George. He is still a feared been a rocky one, mostly because was his destiny. Born and bred in competitor in any golf competition,
26 Medalist | People
Text: Rocco Meiring Images: Reg Caldecott and Toby’s own collection
Medalist 27 28 Medalist | People
but says what he enjoys Base Camp of all the teams most is playing golf with his confirmed the hpc’s mission wife and sons on holiday at to provide the best possible Arrabella (tell that to all the service to its guests. This guys he so smilingly puts service-driven mission Mini-Hockey coaching manual and to shame!). The “Sutcliffe family of providing the best possible acted as co-ordinator of the National fourball” is a competitive affair with environment for all our clients lies at Mini Hockey coaching. Toby also respective handicaps of 7, 7, 7 and the core of the ethos Toby wants his coached the EP u/21’s, EP senior B 13! staff to embrace. He also remembers team, Border’s senior men’s team his promotion to the position of and ultimately the South African Toby’s history of sports CEO and his successful presentation Technikon men’s side that toured administration, umpiring and of the hpc’s business plan thereby England, Belgium and Spain. coaching goes hand-in-hand. Not securing the company’s future, as a only was he the youngest schoolboy In between coaching and umpiring major sense of accomplishment. (age 16) to receive a national grade hockey, Toby acted as part time in hockey umpiring, he’d hardly His understanding of the constantly cricket broadcaster for the SABC left the school benches when he changing world of sport and the in both Afrikaans and English. He started the PE Technikon sports extreme dynamics involved at high retired from hockey umpiring after office back in 1979 when it moved to performance level gives guidance 30 years of service, the last 12 of Summerstrand. and stability to the organisation as which he headed umpiring in South whole. Toby values giving back to Africa. His most memorable moment In his capacity as sports society through the medium of sport of this stage of his life was when he administrator he served on many and focuses on making a tangible umpired an International between committees and in different difference in an aspiring athlete’s life, France u/21’s and a South African capacities, the most prominent of irrespective of his or her level. which included the positions of combined team. secretary of EP Hockey, chairman He believes that it is mainly due to As cricket broadcaster he recalls of the SA Technikon Hockey the positive influence his parents the 1-day test in Port Elizabeth Association, executive member of had on his life that he has been able between Kim Hughes’s Rebels and EP & Border Nomads Golf, general to cope with the 24/7 vocation of South Africa, when Clive Rice’s hat manager of ICON Rugby Institute sports administration at the highest trick clinched the victory for us, as General manager, vice president level. his most memorable. Toby also of the Association of Sports commentated on the epic match Performance Centres and his current When he’s not at work he values when EP beat Transvaal’s “Mean position of CEO of the University of spending time with his wife Mandy Machine” against all odds to win the Pretoria’s High Performance Centre. and two sons, Murray and Duncan Currie Cup. as most precious. Both Duncan Toby’s sport prowess extended to and Murray study at the University Looking back at his time at the hpc, coaching as well. He excelled in of Pretoria while his wife works in Toby rates the 2010 FIFA World Cup hockey coaching from grass route sports administration at St Alban’s and the role he played in directing participation all the way to national College. Toby is very proud of his the hosting of the Argentinean team level. He started his coaching career family and the role they play in his as an unforgettable experience. The with mini-hockey where he ended life as father, husband and CEO of Argentinean Technical Director’s up compiling the first ever National such an elite sports environment. comments as having the best Team
Medalist 29 High Performance Services: Psychology |
The psychology of sport injuries Text: Monja Human and Maurice Aronstam, hpc
Sport injuries are probably the most dreaded ability to participate in sport. experience athletes might face during Pain also has an impact on the their sporting careers. Traditionally, sport rehabilitation process as it influences medicine professionals have directed aspects such as adherence to the major part of their research and rehabilitation programmes. Thus, an rehabilitation attention towards the adequate understanding of injury physical recovery of injured athletes. pain requires knowledge of not only However sport injuries and injury its biological substrates but also its rehabilitation involves not only a psychological aspects. physical process but also psychological factors that impact on the injured athlete. Talking to athletes about their For example, anxiety, fear, depression, injury is an important part of loneliness, separation, loss of confidence, threat injury diagnosis and rehabilitation, or loss of status and identity, and acute and chronic as it is thought that this talk or pain are argued to be important psychological consequences of, as well as interaction, can increase adherence emotional responses to injuries. to rehabilitation programmes and One consequence and response that sport researchers have focused on, is reduce recovery time. One aspect the pain associated with injury. Pain is seen as a pervasive and debilitating of this interaction is the talk that obstacle for the injured athlete because it threatens and alters the athlete’s centres on injury pain. Injury pain
30 Medalist | High Performance Services: Psychology
Chro nic p a i n
n i
a
p
l
u
f
m
r
a h
n i
a
p
e
t
u c A
is a key diagnostic feature during sport medicine professionals in pain. An example of performance consultation and provides important treating them. pain is the short but acute burning information that can facilitate the sensation in a cyclist’s legs during rehabilitation process. Therefore, Categories of pain: the final sprint of a race. understanding how athletes talk Performance and The cyclist can use about their injury pain, may bring injury pain. performance pain as forth new ways of dealing with The two broad an indication that this pain. Furthermore, better categories she is reaching understanding may assist health associated her physical professionals in providing better with pain are limitations. Hence, quality care to injured athletes. performance the experience of and injury pain. performance pain Different types of pain. Performance gives athletes a sense It is important that when athletes are pain tends to be of accomplishment injured they realize that there are acute, short in duration, and, therefore, may work to different types of pain. Distinguishing and the result of voluntary action, inspire athletes to higher levels of between these types can give and therefore, athletes may feel training and competition. Feelings of athletes a sense of control and assist more in control of performance satisfaction, improved performance,
Medalist 31 High Performance Services: Psychology | and an enhanced sense of well- experience itself. Harmful pain, on the other hand, being are common responses to is associated with sharp pain, performance pain. As a result, Chronic pain, on the other hand, prolonged soreness, characterised performance pain is viewed as is best conceptualized as the by swelling and localized to the positive, and a facilitating aspect of persistence of pain. Therefore, injured area. Harmful pain can occur sports participation. it is longer lasting pain, largely anytime during the rehabilitation uncontrollable, and continues long process. This means that a client However, it is important to after the initial injury. Perception of can enter the rehabilitation process differentiate when performance chronic pain may impair an athlete’s with harmful pain, or harmful pain pain starts to border on injury social and psychological well-being. can be exacerbated by exertion, and pain because injury pain is often activities, or exercises, that form part indicative of tissue damage or injury. Two other types of pain that need of the rehabilitation process. A cyclist who falls off her bike, to be discussed are benign and rolls on her ankle and hears a load harmful pain. Benign and harmful A model to help athletes cracking noise, is an example of an pain helps an athlete to evaluate understand pain. athlete who is likely to experience and distinguish the status of Pain could be viewed as a dynamic injury pain. Injury pain signals pain, whereas acute and chronic and reciprocal interaction between danger to an athlete’s physical and pain provides information about biological, psychological and psychological well-being and can the duration of pain. Athletes’ socio-cultural variables that tend be perceived as a threat to their differentiation between benign to shape an athlete’s response to ability to perform. Therefore, injury or harmful pain provides useful pain. This model argues that the pain is often perceived as negative information in the rehabilitation biological substrate of pain affects and often leads to protection of process as awareness and both psychological factors such the injured area. Injury pain is not assessment of benign or harmful as mood, and the social context subject to the control of the pain may enhance their perception within which the person exists athlete and may be of of control over the pain. such as interpersonal relationships. either an acute, Therefore, an athlete According to the conceptual model chronic, benign may feel more in of pain, pain begins as a biological or harmful control of their event (nociception) that gives variety. pain if they rise to psychological awareness are able to (perception). From this follows Types of recognise, a search for meaning, which pain: Acute, assess, and subsequently serves as a guide for chronic, understand action. benign, and the type of harmful pain. pain they are The perception of pain is seen as a Firstly, the experiencing. summation of inputs from multiple distinction between Benign pain, brain centres, including the centres acute and chronic pain though generally short that serve emotion and memory. is indicative of the duration in duration, is a dull and more Perception sets off a psychologically that an athlete experiences pain. generalised type of pain that is driven chain of events, the goal of Acute pain is an intense pain that characterized by absence of swelling which is to give meaning to pain. is most often short in duration, and and lasting soreness. Benign pain Consequently, athletes search for is the result of tissue damage and can be a motivating factor that meaning is a process of making trauma to the body. The perception facilitates rehabilitation. Athletes can sense of their injury pain, and how of traumatic injury tends to provoke therefore, use benign pain to provide this can affect their lives and sport fear and anxious concern for the guidance and assurance that this participation. Pain acquires some of athlete’s well-being, and therefore, type of pain sensation is a natural its meaning from prior experience, the fear and anticipation of acute part of the healing process. present state of mind, and future pain may be more severe than the
32 Medalist | High Performance Services: Psychology
expectations. That is, pain takes on meaning as a person evaluates initial perceptions in the light of memories of other painful events (past), current physical limits (present), and an assessment of how the injury will influence further activity (future).
The meaning that an athlete attaches to pain, leads to different and multi-layered action. Action, therefore, has many forms and includes responses such as distinguishing between different types of pain (performance, injury, benign or harmful), as well as interpreting or ignoring pain. Furthermore, action leads to decisions concerning whether or not to continue training or performing.
Another form of action includes the reporting and communicating of pain to significant others including coaches, parents, team mates or health care professionals. The way in which an athlete displays and talks about their pain can determine the way others respond to the athlete. Therefore, pain is a private experience that becomes public when athletes report and talk about their pain.
Conclusion To conclude, it is important to realise that sport injuries and pain is not only a physical process but involve much more. Therefore, although pain is a universal phenomena, each athlete perceives pain differently. Pain is perceived according to a variety of physical, psychological, and social factors that lead athletes to attach unique and different meanings to their pain experience, which in turn influence their actions and behaviour. Distinguishing and talking about the different types of pain can give athletes a sense of control and assist sport medicine professionals in treating them.
Medalist 33 High Performance Services: Physiotherapy | INTEGRATED APPROACH THE MISSING Figure 1: Squatting on the ball, the ultimate TO REHABILITATION squat. STABILITY FACTOR Text: J.J.W Swart (BPhysT) UP
Why can this guy squat on the improves, so does our knowledge Correct application of these physioball and you can’t? Seems a of motor function and recruitment. exercises requires that breathing bit unfair, seeing as you have been We now know that we can classify should not be affected, so if you diligently attending training sessions, muscles into mobilisers (responsible hold your breath you are bracing pushing yourself consistently while for movement) and stabilisers not stabilising. Normal rotation steadily increasing the load and (responsible for stability at low should be able to take place with intensity. So… loads). We can further sub-group eccentric control and not restrict stabilisers into local (control the movement, so if you are Why does this exercise remain so translations at small joints e.g. isometrically eliminating rotation you elusive? the spine) and global stabilisers are bracing not stabilising. Finally (controlling motion through range). reliable low load activation should Understanding the requirements of This knowledge enables us to occur consistently without fatigue, the body can give us insight into the diagnose dysfunctions within these so if you are using different muscle execution of the movement. The systems and give the appropriate firing patterns for the same exercise human body needs mobile joints to intervention to correct it.[3] you are bracing not stabilising.[3] function correctly, but the control of mobility and the ability to stabilise This leads us back to the ball squat. dynamically is often lacking.[1] In order to achieve this feat of control and strength, the balance between the local and global stability system should work in harmony with the mobiliser system without any compensations. Compensation occurs in order to accomplish a functional task, despite the potential danger to human body (develop pathology or incurring injury).[2,3] Performance depends on the correct integration of various factors including motor control. Incorporating functional stability as a component in rehabilitation is essential. Combining physiotherapy with the integration of exercises and manual techniques to facilitate the correct balance between mobility, strengthening and motor control (stability) is the basis for functional rehabilitation.[3] These principles are found in a variety of body-weight The approach most athletes exercise systems that emphasises think about when coming to motor control for example Pilates physiotherapy is the traditional and Yoga.[5] stretching the “tight” muscles A compensation commonly found and strengthening the “weak” in elite athletes are an excessive muscles.[2] Unfortunately this is increase in the global stability sometimes true. Focusing on muscle system’s force production and imbalances as the only culprit a substitution by the mobiliser results in stability and motor control systems for local stability.[4] This (control of mobility) frequently results in a co-contraction i.e. being overlooked in the design of bracing movement especially rehabilitation and performance during spinal, shoulder and pelvis programmes. stability exercises. Muscular co- contraction does not equate good As our understanding of functional stability especially if the exercise is anatomy and biomechanics performed at low load.[1,2]
34 Medalist | High Performance Services: Physiotherapy
The above mentioned systems value lie not only in their stretching Improve your stability:[6] and strengthen ability (read 1. Prone on elbows with trunk, 2. Side-lying on elbow with strengthening not hypertrophy), but hips and knees in neutral shoulders, hips, knees and their greatest value lie in their ability ankles in line. Raise the top to re-educate motor control. This alignment. Bend at the knee results in improved neuromuscular and extend the hip past neutral leg up towards the ceiling control and correct muscle firing by moving the heel towards the keeping the foot of the top patterns, allowing for improved ceiling. Hold for one second and leg horizontal. Hold for one functional stability. Without a stable return to parallel. [Figure 6] second and lower leg. base, force production becomes [Figure 7] ineffective as some energy is used for stabilisation.[4] Incorporation of functional stability into your training might just be what you have been missing all these years!
References: 1. Pfeiffer M. Modeling the Relation 4. McGill S. Core Training: Evidence ship between Training and Performance – A com Translating to Better Performance and Injury parison of two antagonistic concepts.Int J Comp Sci Prevention. Strength Cond J.2010 June 32(3): 33-46 Sport. 2009 7(2): 13-32 5. Lange C. Maximizing the benefits 2. Latash ML, Scholz JP, Schöner of Pilates-inspired exercise for learning functional G. Motor Control Strategies Revealed in the Structure motor skills. J Bodywork MovTher. 2000 Apr 4(2): of Motor Variability. Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2002 99-108 Jan 30(10): 26-31 6. Boren K, Conrey C, Le Coguic J, 3. Comerford MJ, Mothram SL. Paprocki L, Voight M, Robinson TK. Functional stability re-training: Principles and Electromyographic Analysis of Gluteus Medius and strategies for managing mechanical dysfunction. Man Gluteus Maximus During Rehabilitation Exercises. Int Ther. 2001 Feb 6(1): 3-14 J Sports PhysTher. 2011 Sept 6(3):206-223
High Performance Centre
012 362 9850 / [email protected]
General sports physiotherapy practice which also offer: Biomechanical Analysis Individual and group Pilates classes
• Functional movement analysis to identify : Whole body exercise which challenge people on all movement ability muscle length- and strength imbalances • Improves posture movement impairments • Strengthens stabilisers areas at risk for injury • Improves fl exibility • Correction of the above and injury prevention • Breathing technique • Pre-season preparation • Improves circulation • Stretching programmes • Skill-based conditioning • Strengthening programmes • Relaxation • Identifi cation of incorrect muscle recruitment patterns with correction
Massage Osteopath on site (Monday & Wednesday AM)
Includes sports, pre-event, recovery, lymph & pregnancy Spinal alignment and postural correction Massage therapist also available
Medalist 35 Pre-Season Special !!! Biomechanical Analysis R350 (Includes evaluation and 2 week exercise programme) High Performance Services: Biomechanics |
Are the Glutes really KING?
Text: Amy Bathgate – Biomechanics & Video Analysis, hpc
Listen to most of the “catch phrases” important if you want to move going around, the modern training efficiently. So where or why does it trends and the general idea behind all go slightly haywire? movement principles today and it won’t take long before you There are two main reasons: start hearing something about the gluteus muscle 1. Inhibited glutes group. “They are the (Reciprocal inhibition) biggest, most important muscles in your body – so In this situation the gluteal muscles use them!” “The glutes are neuologically shut down and do are key.” “If you strengthen not contract effectively. The body your glutes everything will is amazing in the way it protects fall into place.” “Your glutes muscles by relaxing them when aren’t firing properly.” I, the opposite (antagonist) muscle myself, have been caught is contracted or tightened. This is a up in this. It makes so built in injury prevention mechanism much sense. Research has that we cannot control. When we correlated weak or poor gluteal look at the hip area, specifically, the functioning with many injuries glutes are often inhibited in this way from lower back pain, to knee and unable to perform their primary ailments, to ITB and many, many functions due to the excessive others. The glutes seem to rule the activation of its antagonist, the hip body to a certain extent, especially flexors (particularly the iliopsoas). in sporting activities... But do they Our modern lifestyles, the amount of really?? sitting we do on a daily basis and the general lack of effective stretching Let me try to, firstly, explain all the leaves them almost permanently in fuss... a shortened position which becomes “normal”. As the hip flexor group In short, too many people (athletes shortens, it pulls on the pelvis and included) have weak or dysfunctional the ideal neutral pelvic posture (in gluteal muscles. And due to the which the glutes are most effective) leverage advantage they have over becomes compromised, creating your legs, the glutes should always either an anterior or posterior pelvic be the primary muscles that drive tilt. lower body movement. It doesn’t matter whether you are a golfer, a 2. Relative glute weakness triathlete or just a weekend fun- (Synergistic dominance) seeker, your glutes are undoubtably | High Performance Services: Biomechanics
Here the glutes DO fire correctly, posterior hip tilt and sacrifices good working efficiently so that ALL your but are not as strong as other lower activation patterns for activation movements are driven by the correct body muscles (eg. quadriceps), of the TFL and hamstrings – also muscles. thus the body will naturally use the affecting the positioning of the femur stronger muscles to do what the head in the hip socket. Are the GLUTES king? YES!!! But glutes SHOULD be doing, resulting the HIP FLEXORS are queen – and in inefficient performances and So all in all... The topic of glute she is very much the controlling compensation patterns. Even when activation and the practice of factor behind the large and powerful performing exercises or movements prescribing a ton of glute activation king.... aimed at strengthening the glutes exercises is very popular these (squats, lunges, deadlifts, etc.), the days but if you create the proper To get stronger – majority of the work will be done posture and have the right muscle TRAIN SMARTER!!! by the strongest muscle groups balance you won’t need to use involved. (Natural body structure glute activation exercises because and technique employed during the glutes will naturally activate. exercise will obviously also affect The key is getting your body this dominance.) What happens is that people who don’t have naturally great glute activation patterns and don’t have naturally good muscle balance (ie. glutes stronger than thighs) get in the gym and do exercises that SHOULD target the glutes, but end up emphasizing their imbalances and strengthening the strongest muscle group. You need to be strong, but you need strength in the right places – efficiency reduces injury risk.
Looking at these two more closely, we see that they go hand in hand, as well as in isolation, because the hip flexor muscle group includes the anterior thigh muscles, meaning that if the glutes are RELATIVELY weak, Actual video still of Primoz Ra chances are often good that the hip vnik. flexors will be either overactive, or tight, or both. So thats easy then – just stretch the hip flexors and problem solved? Well.. No. What if World’s Most the hip flexors are weak or lacking in optimal strength? Versatile Camera Wear it. Mount it. Love it. To have optimal glute activation, 11MP Professional Sensor you need good fermoral control. 2X Sharper Glass Lens 2X Faster Image Processor Femoral control means the muscles 1080p | 960p | 720p | WVGA that attach on the upper thigh bone Full 170° | Medium 127° | Narrow 90° FOV from up around the waist (the psoas 120 | 60 | 48 | 30 Frames Per Second 11MP Ten Photo Burst / Second and glutes) should be fully in control 2X MORE P OWERFUL ™ 0 0 Wi-Fi BacPac + Remote Compatible of the thigh bone, rather than those R R P : R 3 999 . that attach lower, such as the TFL. This correctly pulls the head of goprosa.com the femur tight into the hip socket preventing excessive movement. If FEATURED EXPANSION the hip flexors (particularly psoas) ACCESSORIES Wi-Fi BacPac™ Wi-Fi Remote™ LCD Battery 3D HERO® Chest Wrist Head Strap Suction Cup Handlebar is weak, flexing the hip will be done (Coming Soon) (Coming Soon) BacPac™ BacPac™ System Mount Housing Mount Mount Seatpost Mount by the muscles that attach lower down on the hip and thigh end up doing the work. This often leads to a Medalist 37 High Performance Services: Biokinetics |
What is Biokinetics? What are common Where does issues faced with Biokinetics fall in the rehabilitating athletes? integrated approach to And treatment recommendations exercise? Text: Shelly Malan, Biokineticist, Institute for Sports Research
What is Biokinetics?
Before we can understand where Biokinetics fits in the rehabilitation process, we need to have a clear definition of what a Biokineticist is. The word Biokinetics is taken from the Greek word “BIOS” which means “life” and “KINESIS” which means “movement”. In other words, it refers to the maintenance of quality of life through the use of physical activity (Grenfell, 2010). A Biokineticist is a trained professional who specialises in final phase rehabilitation for a variety of conditions. These conditions include rehabilitation for: • Injuries • Surgeries • Special populations with special needs such as diabetes, cancers, cerebral palsy etc. This is achieved by conditioning individuals according to their needs by means of a scientifically based physical activity programme. However Biokinetics is not limited to the list above, it is also concerned with promoting health both in work environments and at home, as well as the maintenance of physical abilities (BASA, 2012).
38 Medalist | High Performance Services: Biokinetics
What is the Role of a Biokineticist in the rehabilitation process?
Now that we understand what Biokinetics is, we must identify where it fits in the rehabilitation 1. Doctor/ Surgery process. As previously mentioned Biokinetics is final phase rehabilitation. In an ideal world, there are four phases of rehabilitation, namely:
As each situation and injury 2. Physiotherapy is specific to the individual 4. Functional Activity Week 1- involved, this order and process Week 6 (post op) is changed and adapted to be the best rehabilitation process for that particular condition. For example, an individual may see a Biokineticist before they go in for 3. Biokineticist an operation (phase 1) to condition Week 6- their muscles in order to decrease Functional activity the time required for rehabilitation after the operation (Ditmyer, Topp, Pifer, 2002), this is called “Pre- habilitation”.
When the patient comes for rehabilitation, the goal for the Biokineticist is to regain the patient’s pain free functional activity that. This is achieved with specialised programmes that target the patient’s individual needs. Programmes are then updated weekly or monthly (depending on the patient) by means of:
• More difficult exercise,
• Increasing weight and sets,
• Involving balancing in the exercises,
• Including more sports related exercises,
• Including exercises that mimic daily activities (this is more for your elderly patients, who have undergone replacement surgeries).
As previously mentioned, Biokinetics is not sorely for rehabilitating those recovering from injury or surgery, there is also a big need for it with regards to rehabilitating people who suffer from hypokinetic diseases.
Medalist 39 High Performance Services: Biokinetics |
Time is often an excuse as to why people choose not to exercise, be that for rehabilitation purposes or for maintaining healthy bodies.
Hypokinetic diseases are diseases What service can you Once the applicable assessments caused by “lack of movement”, expect when you go see a have been made for the specific unhealthy diets, smoking and condition, the Biokineticist develops even stress (Moss & Lubbe, 2011) Biokineticist? a scientifically sound exercise (Steyn,Fourie,Temple. 2006). An individual requiring treatment programme based on the results. Examples of such diseases include: for any of the conditions previously The Biokineticist will require a mentioned can expect the following one-on-one training session to • High blood pressure from a Biokinetics evaluation carefully explain the programme, (Grenfell,2010): thus allowing the patient to perform • High cholesterol the exercises to make sure they are performing them correctly and to • Heart disease • Have a thorough medical history evaluation. allow for any uncertainties to be cleared up. Programme updates can • Diabetes • Measurement of blood be made anywhere from weekly to • Obesity pressure and heart rate to assess every six week depending on the the likelihood of possible health condition. One-on-one, personal Biokineticist are qualified to help complications. training can be requested as well as individuals with these conditions group training (Grenfell,2010). by means of researched and • Range of motion evaluation to scientifically proven exercise access flexibility. Poor flexibility This special attention to patients’ programmes. Even more can impair one’s ability to individual needs ensures for quality importantly, they can help prevent perform certain activities management and best possible these conditions from occurring, (sport or normal tasks of daily service. especially for those who may be living) properly. For more information please contact at risk for certain diseases, such as the Institute for Sport Research (ISR) obesity and cholesterol. The same • Assessment of body composition at the University of Pretoria. can be done for those who suffer and waist to hip ratio. These can help determine one’s risk for from chronic conditions such as References coronary heart disease. • BASA. 2012. Biokinetics Association of South Africa. arthritis, osteoporosis, multiple Online [available] www.biokinetics.org.za. Access date: sclerosis, cancer, and epilepsy, to 2012/02/15 • Measure muscular strength, • Ditmyer, M.M., Topp, R., Pifer, M. 2002. Prehabilitation name a few. in preparation for orthopaedic surgery. Orthopaedic endurance and power. Nursing 21(5):43-51 • Grenfell, L. 2010. Human Movement Sciences: What is Time is often an excuse as to why Biokinetics. Online [Available]: http://www.nmmu.ac.za. • A postural analysis to identify Access date: 2012/03/02 people choose not to exercise, be any deviation which have either • Moss, S.J., Lubbe, M.S. 2011. The potential market that for rehabilitation purposes or demand for Biokinetics in the private health care sector lead to injury or will prevent a of South Africa. South African Journal for Sport for maintaining healthy bodies. This Medicine.1:14 proper recovery. • O’Rourke. M., Sullivan, L. 2003. Corporate wellness: is why Biokinetics has a specialised A healthy return on employee investment. Risk field namely: Corporate Wellness. Management 50(11):34 • Assessments of the core stability, • Steyn, K., Fourie. J., Temple, eds. 2006. Chronic diseases This is when Biokineticist are of lifestyle in South Africa: 1995-2005. MRC-technical and the ability of “stabiliser report. South African Medical Research Council, either employed by businesses muscles” to function properly. 1-266: Cape Town or contracted out, to oversee the wellness of the employees. This • If so requested a cholesterol endeavour has grown profoundly and glucose test can be over recent years, as research has conducted. In addition, shown, for example the study by specialised equipment that O’Rourke and Sullivan (2003) stated may be requested include; that for every dollar invested in electrocardiograms (ECG), wellness programmes, participating Biodex (both used for balance companies found that it saves $ 3.95 or muscle strength), and similarly in medical expenses. the Cybex (for muscle strength). This is subject to availability at certain Biokinetic practices.
40 Medalist Institute for Sports Research
ISR – REHABILITATION LAB
Our Biokineticists offer the following services:
• Cardiac & Diabetes Clinics • Hydrotherapy • Supervised Exercise Sessions • Physical Rehabilitation • Corporate Health Testing • Medical Aid Testing • Isokinetic Testing & Training • Graded Exercise Testing • Body Composition Analysis
For more information please contact us on (012) 420 6033.
ISR - HIGH PERFORMANCE LAB
The primary objective of the ISR performance lab is to provide sport science support to TuksSport, the national federations, the hpc academies and school as well as the general public. This support includes athlete assessment and monitoring, research, training analysis, strength and conditioning, long term athlete development and programme development.
For more information please contact us on (012) 362 9800 ex 1065.
TUKS STUDENT GYM
“Because we know you would rather be studying!”
TSG is dedicated to UP Students as well as anyone else interested in getting in shape and staying healthy and fi t.
For more information please contact us on (012) 420 6035 Or visit our website at www.up.ac.za/gym
University of Pretoria, LC de Villiers Sport Centre, South Street High Performance Services: Biokinetics |
From Rehab to the Training Field Text: Wayne Coldman, hpc
Injuries are a part of sport, it is something that is unavoidable. How we deal with the athlete and the injury is crucial is the athletes chances of a successful return to sport. Most athletes and parents know the correct steps of this process but seem to cut the rehab process short and therefore increase their risk of either a compensation injury or a return of the original injury.
Injuries can be placed into 2 categories. Avoidable injuries such as muscular tears, chronic overuse injuries and Unavoidable injuries such as bone breaks due to impact. Unavoidable injuries are simpler to work with as the cause of the injury was very simple to diagnose, however, with avoidable injuries, we need to find the underlying movement dysfunctions that is causing the athlete problems. If we do not find the underlying cause and correct it, the athlete has a great chance of repeated injuries in the area.
In the case of an avoidable injury, the first few steps are simple. 1) Apply post-injury recovery techniques (RICE). 2) Contact your doctor and schedule an appointment. 3) See your physio based on the
42 Medalist | High Performance Services: Biokinetics
doctor’s assessment. 4) Rehab with full training system. By taking our or the injured area to perform the physiotherapist. 5) Rehab with a athletes out of the main system, we task. Instilling confidence is just as biomechanist. relieve them of them of unneeded important as fixing the injury. We Step 5 and into sport is where the stressors that normally cause strive to create an environment rehab process falls short for most all the problems. Stressors such which provides our athletes with athletes. The problem is we have the pressure to progress, social the opportunity to work on getting never addresses at the athlete’s acceptance and performance based themselves stronger and better abilities and level of performance goals instead of process based goals. than they were before. We work before to return to the sport. Most These groups also provides the within a very dynamic system in athletes return when they are trainer to work with smaller groups which the athletes have a goal pain free. They skip the last phase to increase individual attention based environment to speed up the but this where we can address all and most importantly, allows the athletes return to the playing field their imbalances and dysfunctions. athlete the freedom to work at but WITHOUT comprising the full Once the athlete has successfully the areas of concern at their own rehab process. Complete the rehab completed the first 3 steps, it is pace. Every athlete will progress process; make sure you take the crucial that we test their functional though the rehab process differently opportunity to address all underlying state. I like to test this all my clients depending on their personality potential risks to yourself, your that have either; been on the injury and mindset. The latter is a very athlete and your child. list as 6 weeks, been on crutches important aspect of the rehab which places the body under an process that most people skip past unusual type of strain and all young without understanding the need for athletes. The High Performance psychological healing too. Centre uses a functional movement screen to help us identify any Some athletes progress from rehab problematic areas and movement back into sport as if it was just dysfunctions. We have identified another day at training but not all this as a crucial step in helping our athletes react the same way. An athletes and giving them the best injury can sometimes be a very chance of a successful return. traumatic event for the athlete, the pain and strange feeling in the area The athletes that are returning can causes a loss of confidence and from injury, as well as the athletes fear. This means the athlete could that have been identified with a be physically ready long before they risk of injury, are kept out of the regain full confidence in themselves
Medalist 43 High Performance Services: Nutrition |
SSL Powered by PVM coming to South Africa
General Background involved with numerous elite Du Plessis PVM’s head sport scientist information athletes across various sporting and currently in charge of the codes. They include World conditioning of the Cheetah players. Who is PVM? champions, Olympic medalists, PVM intend to open a SSL in South and various Provincial and National Africa during 2012 PVM is part of the Provitamin group teams not only in South Africa but SSL –California USA of companies and PVM stands for internationally as well. Sport Science Lab is located in San Proteins, Vitamins & Minerals. The Juan Capistrano, California. The $50 company was established in the Who is Sport Science Lab million athletic complex is state of late 1960’s as a result of intensive the art and rivals any facility in the scientific research undertaken by the Powered by PVM? USA. National Institute of Food Research of the CSIR (Council for Scientific and Sport Science Lab is a company Industrial Research). Making a Difference - Building the Perfect Athlete founded by Gavin MacMillan. The focus of SSL is the continued As a result, PVM Nutritional Sciences development and improvement became one of the first companies Since 2005 PVM has been involved of athletic training modalities that to manufacture clinical nutritional with the Toyota Cheetahs not only as improve all aspects of elite sports products to combat severe a major sponsor but we are also sub- performance. SSL offers training malnutrition and produced the contracted to condition the players. programs for athletes of any sport World’s Original Energy Bar®, based PVM recently acquired exclusive and any caliber with the single on an earlier product developed rights from Sport Science Lab in goal of improving performance. to provide essential nutrition for California, USA – a world leader in Improving general fitness is also military personnel in combat. the high performance sport market. available for those who wish to train PVM has 3 divisions and we produce SSL has a proven track record in the like athletes do. quality nutritional products and sustained improvement of athletic provide various scientific services to: abilities of both athletes competing • Institutional / Therapeutic / at the elite level as well as during What differentiates the SSL program Clinical Nutritional Market their developmental phases of is that we prepare our athletes to be – Clinics & Hospitals children. able to handle whatever adversity – Feeding Schemes The SSL knowledge, services and they might encounter. We are truly – NGOs equipment employed by SSL are trying to build the Perfect Athlete • General Health & Wellness unique and exclusive to SSL, and are by improving all of the qualities elite Market above and beyond the interventions athletes require to be successful. • High Performance Sports Market of existing high performance Athletes need coordination, rhythm, including Sport Science Lab centre’s, not only in South Africa. SSL timing, balance, proprioception, For over 40 years PVM has been South Africa will be headed by Niel joint mobility, muscle flexibility,
44 Medalist | High Performance Services: Nutrition muscle balance, all types of strength, What is PVM’s involvement sponsorship agreement with PVM awareness of space, reactive ability, with the Cheetahs? Nutritional Sciences totalling foot strength, biomechanical R10 million over the next two efficiency, mental abilities, years. PVM a leader in the field of confidence, and of course sport Toyota Cheetahs are Powered by performance training and nutrition specific skill. PVM Nutritional Sciences. PVM is (PTN) and producers of the Worlds the official performance nutrition original Energy Bar ®has been an sponsors of the Cheetahs and are integral part of the successes of the Conventional training methods subcontracted to condition the Toyota Cheetahs since 2005. PVM’s that are primarily focused on players. PVM’s interventions during increased sponsorship investment, the maximum weight lifted in a 2011 and subsequent increased given the uncertainty about Super linear fashion do not adequately sponsorship investment enabled Rugby, is evidence of PVM’s loyalty, address the needs of ANY elite the Toyota FS Cheetahs to retain/ commitment and confidence in the athlete. Conditioning Toyota Cheetahs and indeed programmes in general the Free State province at fall far short in terms large. of properly preparing Our relationship and athletes for their specific sponsorship agreement with sport. We address all PVM is unique in the world of the needs of each of sport sponsorships. Above athlete from head to and beyond the sponsorship toe and it starts with agreement, whereby PVM a proper evaluation. looks after the nutritional By having a firm aspects of players and are understanding of the the exclusive provider of human body and how performance nutritional it functions in sports, products to players, PVM customized equipment are also subcontracted to has been designed condition the players - a fact and manufactured, to that few people are aware off. improve movement Niel du Plessis, PVM’s head capabilities and to sport scientist is in charge of decrease the risk of the fitness and conditioning of injury during training the players, full time. and competition. More recently PVM acquired Children are often exclusive rights from Sport exposed to sports with Science Lab (SSL) in California little or no foundational USA . SSL is a world leader in preparation in how the high performance sports to use their bodies before they resign certain key senior players market and we are extremely excited are asked to compete. That is why which would have been lost to other about having access through PVM to most become a discarded statistic franchises. the SSL expertise. PVM is therefore and the few exceptionally gifted not only part of the Cheetahs team ones survive the current system to PVM has also recently acquired the set –up but is indeed our high continue to move on to higher levels performance partners. of their sport. SSL intend to change exclusive rights for Sport Science Lab that. Children need to be taught to (SSL) in South Africa a world leader run before they play in a sport that in the scientific field of conditioning Lastly we want to convey our requires running. They need to be and training of athletes. SSL South gratitude to PVM for their taught to hit and throw before they Africa will be headed by Niel Du interventions in 2011 and step foot on a baseball or cricket Plessis PVM’s head sport scientist subsequent increased investment field. If not, the chances for success and currently in charge of the that directly enabled the Toyota are slim to none. conditioning of the Cheetah players Cheetahs to retain / resign certain key senior players, which would Whether it’s improving sports otherwise not have been the case. performance, rehabilitation or PVM Sponsorship enables the general fitness, Sport Science Lab contracting of certain top Cheetah has the tools to fulfill the needs of players Official Press Release: Harold every person that walks through our Verster: MD Toyota Cheetahs doors. It is with pleasure that we can announce the renewal of a major
Medalist 45 High Performance Services: Nutrition |
There is more to injury management than ice …
While ice, rest and physical therapy are significant in the treatment of Nutrition applied to injuries, researchers are discovering that what an athlete consumes after being injured and during treatment sports injury and can either delay healing or promote recovery. rehabilitation
The healing response is illustrated in Text: Nicki de Villiers, hpc three stages:
1. Inflammation starts at the time of injury and continues for 4 – 6 days and is in place to clear out injured tissue debris. 2. Proliferation starts 3 – 4 days post injury and lasts up to 2 weeks. During this stage there is synthesis of epithelial cells NUTRIENTS INVOLVED IN HEALING and collagen to form temporary replacement tissues. 3. Remodelling starts in the second ENERGY or third week and can continue for over a year. During this stage Tissue repair requires cellular functions of protein synthesis, macromolecule there is formation of new tissues synthesis and nucleic acid synthesis. For all of these processes the provision of nearly as strong as the original energy is essential and a steady supply of raw material is required for cellular tissues. energy production. Energy intake also triggers hormonal responses, especially insulin, glucagon, somatotropin and intestinal neuropeptides which all play a By understanding the process role in the healing process as well as homeostasis. of injury and injury repair, different nutritional angles can be Major injury alters an individual’s nutritional requirements. Studies suggest, implemented to support injury for example that athletes who have broken their femur may experience an recovery as follows: increase in resting energy requirement of around 20 per cent. Comparatively speaking, an athlete will have to eat less during injury recovery than during 1. Nutritional strategies that training and competition. Yet the recommended intake during injury will still promote, yet manage, acute be higher than the resting energy recommendation as illustrated in the table inflammation and pain. below. 2. Nutritional strategies for supporting immune function. 3. Nutritional strategies that Male athlete support long term tissue healing and regeneration. 14 years old 168 cm Deficiencies of key nutrients will impair the above mentioned critical 63.6 kg healing functions, e.g.
Vitamin C and collagen Calculated Basal Metabolic Rate 6 770 kJ formation Energy needs when Sedentary 8 100 kJ Vitamin A and epithelialization Energy needs with Daily Training / Competition 11 500 kJ Zinc and cell proliferation Energy needs during Injury Recovery 9 700 kJ Mild protein deficiency impairs healing process Although energy need during injury is less than dur- ing training, it is still more than when sedentary
46 Medalist | High Performance Services: Nutrition
PROTEIN fats and omega-3 fats will be anti- necessary events for tissue repair. inflammatory. To achieve a diet Magnesium plays a key role in One of the metabolic responses with optimal fat balance, increase protein synthesis and amino acid after injury or surgery is a net loss the intake of olive oil, mixed nuts, metabolism. Manganese is extremely of body protein. The duration of avocados, flax oil, ground flax and important for the synthesis of protein loss is 3 to 6 weeks when other seeds to include some of proteoglycans, which are essential protein intakes are usual (0.8 g/kg/ these fats daily. Add 3 – 9 g of fish oil for the repair of connective tissue. day). Thus, it is important to ensure each day whilst reducing omega-6 adequate protein intake during times fats, e.g. vegetables oils, corn oil, PRACTICAL TIPS FOR ATHLETES of stress or injury. Amino acids, the sunflower oil, safflower oil, soybean NURTURING INJURIES breakdown constituents of protein, oil, etc. Even if the modulation are basic building blocks for the of eicosanoids is a possibility, the • Maintain adequate energy construction of proteins, especially slow turnover of cell membrane intake collagen, elastin, proteoglycan core phospholipid fatty acids will delay • Decrease the intake of highly proteins and non-collagenous matrix clinical responses and therefore refined or processed foods proteins. Other proteins with specific the make the use of fat modulation • Increase the intake of fresh effects on musculoskeletal healing in short-lived or acute situations fruits, fresh vegetables, whole include hormones and amino acid unsuccessful. grains neurotransmitters that regulate • Avoid fried and greasy foods hormone synthesis and release. CARBOHYDRATE • Maintain protein intake of 1 – 1.5 g/kg body weight/day Protein depletion appears to delay Carbohydrates are critical in sports • Take a multivitamin and mineral wound healing by: injuries for their caloric value supplement every day - supplying the energy needed • Maintain a good hydration • Prolonging the inflammatory to support healing - and the status phase micronutrients they bring with them • Try to get back on a regular • By inhibiting fibroblast, collagen in food sources. They although do eating schedule as soon as and proteoglycan synthesis not usually directly repair tissues, as possible • Inhibiting wound remodelling they are not part of the structures • When you are up to it, try to of cells the way proteins and fats achieve: FAT are. However, carbohydrates are the preferred fuel source used during 2 – 3 servings of Apart from its function as energy exercise. meat, fish and substrate, fats are dietary and poultry per day metabolic precursors for steroid MICRONUTRIENTS hormones and eicosanoids. 3 servings of milk Eicosanoids are powerful hormones When it comes to injury, vitamins or mild products that mediate many cellular and A, B, C, and D as well as calcium, per day Provides Protein, Protein, Provides Zinc and Calcium tissue functions. Much has been copper, iron, magnesium,
said about omega-3 fatty acids and manganese and zinc can all play 6 or more - the role it plays in musculoskeletal important roles. Vitamin E may slow servings of whole healing. The rationale for the use of the healing process and therefore it grains per day fatty acids is to modulate eicosanoid is not recommended to take vitamin synthesis to enhance production E supplements during injury. Vitamin 6 servings of fruit of anti-inflammatory eicosanoids A support epithelial and bone tissue and vegetables and reduce production of pro- development and stimulate the per day drates, Vitamin A, Vitamin drates, B and C inflammatory eicosanoids. Therefore, immune response. Vitamin C plays Carbohy Provides a diet high in trans-fats, omega-6 a critical role in collagen formation rich vegetable oils, and saturated and acts as an anti-oxidant. Zinc fat will be pro-inflammatory whilst is essential for DNA synthesis, cell a diet high in monounsaturated division d protein synthesis, all
Medalist 47 High Performance Services: Sport Science Gym | a ade E sy M g in n i
a
r
T
s
s
o
r C
Text: Wayne Coldman, hpc
Cross training is becoming an The foundation needs to be built, the traditional mind set of improving increasingly important in today’s wide and strong. sport specific movements and world. Schools sports has changed strength in those movements to and people are will argue to the The problem is simple, how do we rather increasing the athletes skill cows come home as to whether this create an environment in which ALL set that they have to work with. The is a good or bad thing. My position is athletes can practice and thrive? To jungle gym allows us to do a vast simple. It’s bad! Children are playing find a solution we have gone back 30 array of exercises not always viable less and less and discovering less years. in a “gym” setting, thus increasing and less. The fact that the discovery the exposure of different skills to The High Performance Centre has process in developing children is the children. We are then able to built a crossing training jungle gym decreasing, means that children are create an environment in which the (similar to the old trim parks) to starting to play competitive sport children can practice and learn new help us address these problems. under equipped physically. Under exciting skills without the pressure The jungle gym provides the trainers equipped athletes are at a higher of progressing with the group. It is with more options to work with risk to injury and have also created important to remember that each and provides the children with the a lower ceiling of performance. athlete is different and some will following: Competitive sports in schools have find some skills tougher to grasp. changed our focus and the goals 1. Creative, Safe environment The athletes can then individually we set in a negative way. We value 2. Gets them Outdoors progress through these different winning at a young age above the 3. Provides more training skills as they prove competency and lessons we teach. Winning sets a options than a gym move onto more complex skills. This timeline for performance in sport 4. Vast space is one of the most important aspects and this should not be our focus 5. Fun and Playful of the discovery process, children when working with young athletes. 6. Easy and Quick to progress playing and learning what their Our focus needs to be on the athlete 7. Functional bodies are capable of doing while and not the result. If we focus on the having fun. The jungle gym provides athlete and look to do what benefits These factors help provide us us with options, space and a fun them most, we will find that we with a challenging and goal driven environment, all positive aspects are on the wrong track sometimes. environment in which achieving a that promotes a healthy learning When we start to focus on the skill is the focus and not arbitrarily environment. It helps us address the athlete, we will start to understand just lifting weights or doing issues that we face in trying to do the need for increasing the athletes movements in a gym. help give our young athletes the best skill set and the importance of doing chance possible of success. them correctly. When we value The jungle gym has many benefits “ Imagination Decides Everything”. words like precision and accuracy for the children but most importantly over progression we will see the is the way it changes the focus of value of first achieving the basics the training or preferably, practice before we start the move forward. session. It changes the focus from
48 Medalist Medalist 49 High Performance Services: Parenting in Sport |
To win requires mastery of skills Text: Mary Ann Dove – Performance Coach and Co-founder of Positive Sport Parent
In our first article we provided some guidelines on how parents can assist their children in positively managing the challenges that the sporting environment poses on a regular basis. One of these guidelines was, “Recognise that development into a competent sports man or woman is a process that takes time and patience to master the skills necessary to succeed either as a participant or a competitive athlete. Each child is unique and will develop at his/her own pace, taking part in the sports that he/she comes to enjoy through exploration and performance.”
This article explores this concept in That brings us to the second kind of some more detail. winner.
The one thing we all seem to agree • Winners in terms of mastery on is that the objective of sport is to or “process orientation”. A win. What we don’t agree on is what mediocre performance can makes someone a winner and the still win a race whereas a process it takes to master the skills magnificent performance may required to win. How many times do still lose the race, if others we hear the first question a parent perform better. We can only asks their 8 year old – “Did you control our own performance win?” Perhaps the question should and hence the importance of be, “What did you learn?” focusing on mastering the skills (physical, technical, tactical and There are 2 kinds of winners: mental) to give ourselves the best possible chance of success. • Winners on the scoreboard often referred to as “ego Research at the 2000 Sydney orientation”. This tends to Olympics indicated that athletes be the traditional definition with a mastery orientation won of a winner. A winner on the more medals than athletes coached scoreboard can in fact be purely with a scoreboard orientation. outplayed in every facet of the (Dr Joan Duda, Chair of Sports game but still have more points Psychology at the University of or goals. I don’t have to remind Birmingham (UK)) you of a rugby match played th on Sunday 9 October 2011 in Mastery Orientation Scoreboard/Ego Orientation New Zealand, where the team Effort focus – did I give my all? Results focus – how many points did I who played the best, did not score? win! Why, because there are Learning and continuous improve- Comparison with others and the score- very often factors beyond the ment which is within your control board as arbiter sportsman’s control. You can Mistakes tolerated as part of the Mistakes avoided because they lead to only control those aspects of improvement process poor results on the scoreboard your performance that you are Decreased anxiety because in Increased anxiety leading to decreased in control of. control performance Increased self-esteem and self Decreased self esteem “If winning is defined as only confidence those that finish first, then 97% Increased resilience – ability to Decreased moral reasoning causing of all participants at the Olym- bounce back faster after a setback increased temptation to do whatever it pic Games would be losers!” may take to influence the scoreboard (Unknown) The table above highlights the differences between mastery orientation and ego orientation.
50 Medalist | High Performance Services: Parenting in Sport
So how can you as parents encourage your children to develop a high mastery orientation? Here are some practical tips. By focussing on the process the results will take care of themselves.
• Reinforce effective process goal setting. For example, “What batting skill am I trying to improve during today’s practice session?” • Emphasise the value of hard work & persistence. “Did I put in my best effort today?” • Provide good coaching. As a parent you should ensure that the coaches that your children are coached by are appropriately trained and accredited and that they follow a mastery approach. • Emphasise progress, not results. Each child’s progress should be “measured” against his/her own potential. We don’t all have the ability or talent to be the next Roger Federer. • Reward skills improvement as well as acknowledging those “I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost that perform at the highest almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take levels. the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and • Encourage critical self- over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” observation. Each child should (Michael Jordan) develop the ability to assess their own progress. • Reflect on their own The mastery of skill development is a process that takes place over a period performance and encourage of time and for successful and optimal performance this process needs to self-discovery. By thinking proceed through all the necessary stages at the appropriate developmental about how a particular practice ages of children. This can be summarised as follows: session or event went, children will learn to identify their Approximate Developmen- Skill development strengths on which they can tal Age* (years) build and their mistakes which 6 – 8 or 9 The essential skills such as skipping, they can rectify through practice hopping, jumping, throwing, catching, hitting
and swimming required as the foundation for References: more complex physical activities and sports Gibson, B. Performance implications of Physical and Mental Growth of the Young Athlete. Edith Cowan University, Perth, 8 or 9 – 11 or 12 General sport skills suitable for a variety of Western Australia. Coaches’ Information Service. 2008 Gould, D., Dieffenbach, K., Moffett, A. The Development of activities and sports Psychological Talent in U.S Olympic Champions. University of 11 or 12 – 15 or 16 Sport specific physical, technical, tactical and North Carolina, Greensboro. 2001 Hemery, D. In Pursuit of Sporting Excellence. A Study of Sport’s mental skills to compete at higher levels Highest Achievers. 1986 Thompson, J. The Double Goal Coach. 2002 15 or 16 upwards Sport specialisation for “serious” Long Term Athlete Development. http://www. competition or for non-competitive canadiansportforlife.ca/resources participants to become active for life (www.positivesportparent.com) *Developmental age refers to the degree of physical, mental, cognitive and emotional maturity of a child which may be different to their chronological age, i.e. their age in years since birth.
Medalist 51 High Performance Services: Medical |
The doctor’s role in the rehabilitation process, Common issues in managing injuries, treatment recommendations for a full recovery. Text: Dr Phatho Cele, hpc
When I entered the field of Sports specialists. Each member of this that particular problem. There are Medicine, it was (and still is) a team has specialised expertise which also situations in which more than relatively uncommon field of clinical are important at different stages one practitioner will manage the medicine. My colleagues, family in the athlete’s rehabilitation. It is athlete simultaneously. Here, the and friends would often probe vital that each member in the team importance of fluid communication curiously, asking why exactly I knows their role, their strengths and mutual respect come to the fore. wanted to go into such a ‘confined’ and limitations, and, importantly, field that services a ‘limited’ recognises when to hand over to the An example of an efficient and population. ‘There’s something next specialist. synchronous multidisciplinary team about working with a person who would play out as follows: wants to get better’ I would say, The doctor’s role in the ‘Helping someone go beyond just multidisciplinary team is to make A rugby player injures his knee in a well and strive towards optimal and a diagnosis. The clinician needs rugby match. The sports physician supreme health and fitness. I want to to precise, identifying the exact makes a diagnosis of an anterior contribute to excellence. I want to be anatomical and pathological cause cruciate ligament rupture and a part of a team that makes a great of the underlying problem. Correct refers to an orthopaedic surgeon. athlete extraordinary.’ diagnosis permits accurate and While preparing for surgery the efficient treatment. Once the doctor athlete will see a physiotherapist, The Sport Physician forms part has made the diagnosis, they are who also continues management of a multidisciplinary support then responsible for liaising with post operatively. Post op rehab is team that strives to support the the appropriate specialist and co- monitored by the sports physician athlete in their goal to achieve ordinating the management of the and physiotherapist in consultation extraordinary results. The athlete. with the orthopaedic surgeon. members of this multidisciplinary Whilst in rehab, the athlete may also team will vary depending on the In traditional medicine, the doctor be consulting their fitness coach environment. In rural communities, is usually the primary contact who will ensure that the athlete the ‘multidisciplinary team’ may practitioner who then refers to other has a specialised cross training consist of the family doctor and/or medical/paramedical practitioners. programme that will maintain their physiotherapists alone. In contrast, In the sports setting, however, the cardiovascular fitness without the athlete in the city or in a high athlete will regularly present to the interfering with rehabilitation of performance institution may have practitioner they see most often the injured knee. The dietician role a team that consists of a number or have the best relationship with in rehab focuses on ensuring that of role players: family doctor, eg the physiotherapist/coach. This the athlete is eating foods that will physiotherapist, sports physician, highlights the importance of an fuel the body’s musculoskeletal and biokineticist, dietician, psychologist, integrated support team, as the immune system so as to expedite fitness coach, orthopaedic surgeon, contact person may need to refer recovery. When the physiotherapist podiatrist and other various to someone else so that the athlete and doctor are satisfied with the receives the best management for athlete’s progress, the athlete is
52 Medalist | High Performance Services: Medical then handed over to the biokinetics begins by the clinician being able protocol and encourage the athlete who guide the athlete in the next to help the athlete understand his to do like-wise. phase of rehab, optimising strength problem and the causes thereof. and functionality of the injured It is only once an athlete fully There’s no ‘I’ in TEAM. This well limb. The final phase of rehab comprehends the implications known phrase epitomises the crux of involves the biokineticist working of a diagnosis, that he/she will the multidisciplinary team. No one with the fitness trainer to ensure be motivated to comply with practitioner can service the athlete sports specific fitness and agility. A recommendations. It is valuable entirely and meet every need they common complication of injuries for the clinician to establish a have. We all have different roles to requiring drawn out rehabilitation good relationship with the athlete, play and various ways to contribute is depression and fear of re-injury so that the athlete learns to to the athlete’s success. When upon return to play. The psychologist trust their clinical judgment and we start to draw on each other’s has a clear role to play in keeping recommendations. Importantly, strengths and engage the experts the athlete motivated and helping even once the athlete is pain-free, at the right time, we start to see overcome those mental barriers they must progress through all the success and begin to achieve what when the athlete returns to his necessary stages of rehabilitation. we all strive for: a healthy athlete sport. This will ensure that the athlete capable of extraordinary results. reaches their pre-injury fitness level The biggest challenge in sports and more importantly, prevents medicine is remaining objective re-injury. All members of the and holistic in one’s approach multidisciplinary team, to an injury. It is important that including the all practitioners involved in the coach, need athlete’s management have a basic to comply understanding of the biomechanics, with and the mental & physical challenges this involved in that athlete’s sport. Often, an athlete will present with a complaint which actually points to a deeper problem. An example is an athlete presenting with excessive fatigue and poor performance who is treated with rest. While it is important to first examine training schedule, it is also important to know and treat the nutritional, psychological and medical disorders that may contribute to the athlete’s condition. It is only the clinician with a broad approach who will adeptly pick this up. In any injury, especially those that recur, it is important that the clinician asks themselves why this injury has occurred and then manage the underlying cause. Ideally, then, treatment has two components: treatment of the presenting complaint and treatment to correct the underlying cause.
Of utmost importance in the management of any injury is athlete compliance to rehabilitation. This High Performance Services: Exercise Science |
point check of trail running
Text: Ryan Hodierne, Sport scientist & New Balance footwear specialist
As we look into the mechanics and movements involved in running on the trail, there are a few aspects that differ from running on the road however many remain the same as an athlete attempts to move forward as fast and efficiently as possible. Running dynamics
Running in general comprises the primary component of forward motion. There is limited upward movement and even less lateral movement. As we head onto the trails however, though forward motion remains the primary component; there is a lot of upward and lateral motion taking place as the athlete orientates himself. He/she also strives to move fluently and effortlessly over the terrain. Trail running can be regarded as more of a full body work-out as apposed to the lower body dominant nature of road running.
The Foot strike
While running off the beaten track, one should strive to maintain a shorter stride length with a slightly higher leg/stride turnover. Light contact should be made with the ground to ensure good balance in the foot. In ground contact, the foot should strike the ground directly underneath the bodies’ centre of gravity (below the hips) with a slightly bent knee to absorb the impact, much the same way as a car’s suspension. Foot contact with the ground should be made with the mid-foot, which is the area more or less below the top lace hole of your shoe.
Trail posture
Due to the extreme gradient of the up hills and down hills along many trails, close attention should be paid on running posture when approaching and taking these obstacles on.
Downhill: when running downhill, avoid leaning back. The reason for this is that leaning back will enforce a heel strike which will in turn create less traction under foot thus allowing greater chance of slipping and sliding all over. This laid back running posture will also over work the quadriceps on the descents which will lead to an earlier onset of fatigue.
Uphill: When approaching an uphill, avoid slouching forward. Slouching forward will crunch up the diaphragm, making it more difficult to breathe. It will also force you off balance by displacing your centre of gravity.
Through research, a direct correlation has been discovered between a runner’s normal posture and the form he/she adopts while running. The ideal is to run tall, activating the core stabilizers that will form the foundation of power and balance, coupled with a slight forward lean in the trunk to aid in forward motion by utilizing the pull of gravity.
54 Medalist | High Performance Services: Exercise Science
Let us consider the 6 point check while out on the trail:
Relax the hands, ankles and the feet – go with the flow of the trail, being too rigid will lead to a very mechanical type movement and add to the tension through the entire body.
Maintain good posture – with a good upright trunk position and forward lean, it will require less effort to move quicker as one utilizes the pull of gravity in forward motion.
Keep the core activated – this forms the foundation of power and balance in movement.
Take shorter strides – more contact with the ground will lead to better traction and control along the trail, i.e. a better feel for the terrain.
Maintain a quicker cadence (stride rate) – this will create the sensation of floating through the trail instead of plodding along.
Make ground contact underneath the body – creates efficiency and will reduce the risk of injury as there is less jarring through the joints.
Running on the trails will certainly strengthen you as a runner. I urge and invite all those that stick to the black stuff called “tar” to venture onto the trails and improve both their running form and strength and enjoy the flow and scenery the beautiful discipline of trail running provides.
By being more aware, you can improve your own running mechanics.
Run aware and with good form… your body will thank you and your times and abilities will show.
Hit the trails!
Medalist 55 High Performance Services: Exercise Science |
Text: Jimmy Clark, Institute for Sport Research; Department Biokinetics, Sport & Leisure Sciences, University of Pretoria
What? muscle itself. Skeletal muscles Contrary to public perception, (the muscles which stabilize and/ physical training is not purely an ‘Muscle memory’ is a colloquial or move the skeleton) are pretty exercise in changing the body’s reference to the phenomenon that much slaves to the nervous system. periphery - it’s not just about repetitively trained motor actions Motor neurons are specialized nerve developing muscles and lungs and gradually require less conscious cells which innervate muscle fibers heart! While adaptations do occur effort to execute. The classic example (cells) and dictate their action. Many in these systems to better handle is driving a car – when someone is thousands of these motor neurons the stress of exercise, any physical first learning how to do it, it requires are located in the spinal cord and are exercise is also ‘training’ the nervous significant conscious attention in themselves influenced by neurons system to enhance future exercise making very purposeful movements, located in various parts of the performance. Regular training and they are clearly aware of their brain, as well as by receptors in the allows the brain to ‘learn’ how incompetence. Gradually, the motor muscle. The pre-motor and primary best to synchronize and coordinate patterns become ingrained, to motor cortex of the cerebrum is muscle action in performing an the extent that the sophisticated where a dedicated skeletal muscle activity. The involved motor patterns coordination of actions requires activity is initiated, but essential are delegated to less ‘consciously little dedicated conscious effort. input is required from the basal expensive’ areas of the brain, The person becomes ‘unconsciously ganglia, gamma motor system and reducing the perceived conscious competent’. The activities can be as cerebellum to execute useful and effort required to maintain that diverse as brushing teeth, speech, coordinated movements, all together intensity of work. Meanwhile, playing a musical instrument, riding termed a motor pattern. More this permits access to previously a unicycle or climbing stairs, and may correctly then, one could speak of ‘unavailable’ high threshold motor be relatively simple or immensely ‘brain-muscle memory’! Repeatedly units that rely on higher effort, so complex! However, ‘muscle memory’ engaging a particular motor pattern you can work even harder. is not simply limited to dynamic over time stimulates adaptations movements - there is evidence in the neuron pathways which Why? that resting muscle tone and body reorganize the involvement amongst posture, both involving skeletal the brain centres in performing that Performing skeletal muscle actions muscle activity, are the result of movement and allow for increased is an expensive process for the body. habitual muscle action becoming synchronisation and coordination Not only is the contraction and entrenched. Here’s how… of the motor neurons and therefore relaxation of skeletal muscle fibers also the muscle fibers those neurons inefficient from an energy point of How? control. In this way, not only do view, but these actions depend on the movements become more the complex coordination of many To understand the phenomenon, coordinated and appropriately neurons and conscious effort, as let’s tackle some basic physiology... graded to the task, but the conscious described above. So performing a The funny thing is that ‘muscle effort required for the execution is motor skill is really hard work. By memory’ does not ‘reside’ in the reduced. ‘delegating’ repetitively practiced
56 Medalist | High Performance Services: Exercise Science motor patterns to parts of the pain, additional or competing motor • Soft Tissue Therapy. Massage, brain requiring less ‘conscious’ tasks, nutrient supply, hydration for example, may have a role in effort and refining the neuronal status and a myriad other factors improving the tolerance and activity pathways involved, motor tasks can can all affect neuron function and of reflex pathways which influence be better executed, plus it frees up therefore, theoretically, brain- the execution of motor skills. the conscious mind to attend to muscle memory and the execution other tasks. At it’s most primitive of practiced motor tasks. So being in • Finally, over-learning a level, brain-muscle memory evolved overall good health is important for skill, particularly when fatigued, to permit rapid and effective fight executing movement skills well. may improve the neuromuscular or flight responses while allowing performance during stressful important ‘conscious’ thought about How can it be Improved? periods, and reduce the the environment to improve the susceptibility of the brain-muscle chance of survival. In modern life, it Purely from a ‘brain-muscle memory memory to interfering influences frees our minds up to multitask... perspective, the following points above. This is crucial for being able should be considered: to execute the task under pressure and at high speed. Can it Impair Performance? • More Training. Repetitive Since utilizing the entrenched motor practice remains pathways is your body’s easiest the mainstay of way of executing a movement, automating motor repetitive activities run the risk tasks. On its own, of becoming ‘contaminated’ with major gains can movement peculiarities that may be made by not be optimal. While we naturally simply doing tend to lean towards the most the task more efficient way of performing an often, using activity to minimize the energy cost a systematic of the activity, this may not always and planned be the most appropriate pattern progression of from an injury risk or performance course! point of view. The old adage of • Purposeful Technical ‘practice makes perfect’ was, of Drills. There is a reason that course, refined to the more-correct coaches have emphasised ‘perfect practice makes perfect’. movement drills in various forms Importantly, it appears to be the for so long – they understand duration of the motor patterning the influence of effective form which is the biggest factor in making performance. Drills to improve the neuromuscular changes rather than ‘feel’ of a movement may aid in the severity of the problem. In other refining the process further, e.g. words, the longer the bad habits eyes closed, altered terrain, altered have been practiced, the less likely apparatus, and so on. they are to respond to attempts to change. • Expert Instruction. For beginners learning any skill, or What Factors can Interfere in the case of ‘brain-muscle with Muscle Memory? memory’ changes, skilled and regular expert instruction is From the discussion above, it should needed to break bad habits or be clear that anything which may establish good ones. interfere with the complex neural functioning leading to muscle • Exercise Variation. action can potentially alter ‘muscle Engaging in a wide array of memory’. The classic contracted flexibility and dynamic exercises shoulder and neck muscles may refine motor pattern and reflex associated with increased stress is pathways and increase the number a prime example. Besides mental of potential movement answers to a or emotional stress, drugs, alcohol, problem. body temperature, physical stress or TuksSport High School |
The Evolution of TuksSport High School
Text: Hettie de Villiers
One might be forgiven for aged between 12 and 16, and by mainstream schools, that the misguidedly thinking that when were the first pupils of TuksSport idea of a sport school was born – a Herbert Spencer first coined the Study Centre, a sport school that concept quite common in most term “survival of the fittest” to draw formed part of the all-encompassing European countries, but up till then parallels between his own economic sports environment that the High still unexplored in South Africa. theories and the evolutionary Performance Centre offered. The theories of Charles Darwin, he had remaining group of three consisted That was ten years ago, and the a group of young talented South of two brave teachers and their high school now situated on the African athletes in mind. One might principal. Groenkloof Campus of the University also be forgiven for believing that When South Africa was re-admitted of Pretoria bears little resemblance when Darwin further clarified the to world sports it created the to the one-classroom school that first meaning of the phrase and stated opportunity for high performance saw the light in 2002. Not only has that it is neither the strongest of athletes of all ages to compete the name of the school undergone the species that survives, nor the with the best in the world. Young some cosmetic surgery, the school most intelligent, but the one most athletes who were previously has relocated twice – first from the responsive to change, that he had a restricted to school-level and local Rugby Clubhouse to the rooms now particular sport school in Pretoria in competitions now had the chance to occupied by the SSMU at the HPC, mind. measure their worth abroad. But then to the three-winged building that lies sprawling to the side of the When then then-Minister of-Sport, the ever expanding sports horizons made it increasingly difficult for Groenkloof Campus. The number Ngconde Balfour officially opened of academies has grown from two the High Performance Centre of the young sportsmen and women to remain competitive without some pioneering academies (gymnastics University of Pretoria on 10 May, and tennis) to a total of eleven which 2002, there were 30 eager faces sacrifice to their education. It was in recognition of the need for include swimming, soccer (boys and amongst the crowd who shared girls) golf, table tennis, tae Kwando, in the almost tangible excitement a more supportive and flexible educational model than that offered cricket, judo, athletics, equestrian of the day. Twenty seven were and squash.
58 Medalist | TuksSport High School
2004 - A new school to be proud of Behind the scenes at the 2008 Accolades 2006 Staff photo
2004 - The first Girls Soccer Academy to Grade 8’s loving the new school at join the school Groenkloof 2004 - Gymnastics Academy
TuksSport High learners in their Protea Life’s not all about medals - 2009 Colours in 2009 Our first Market Day in 2006
Our first Matric Dance in 2003 2006 Prefects outside the school Protea Basketball player and teacher Nakedi Maputla
Prefects of 2003 Matric Dance in 2003 Prefects of 2006
Staff photo 2006 Swimmers and coach Sandor in 2004 2007 Accolades
Medalist 59 TuksSport High School |
Teachers and learners have come and gone, each one contributing in their own way to the successes achieved at TuksSport High. The academic records tell its own story – the school has achieved a 100% Top swimmer Suzaan van Biljon with her Toby Sutcliffe with the guest speaker at the pass rate in all the years but one, coach, principal and CEO of the hpc 2011 Accolades with 75% of the learners passing with university exemption. Year by year the top students have surprised even the gloomiest of doomsayers by achieving between 5 and 6 distinctions each. The inscriptions in the sports annals tell an even more illustrious tale and many top 2006 Accolades national sportsmen and women like Robyn Johannes, George Maluleka, Suzaan van Biljon, Andile Jali, Leon Knoll, Natasha de Vos, Wian Sullwald and Simpiwe Dlulu completed their schooling at TuksSport High School. Who said there’s no room for culture in a In 2011 alone 3 learners earned TuksSport Study Centre sport school their full Senior National colours, 36 their Junior National colours, and 77 learners received Junior and Senior Provincial colours.
Whatever changes have been made over the last ten years, the school’s evolutionary development TuksSport High learners in their Protea Colours Lunch packs before we had out own in 2009 canteen has always been and will always be determined by the sustained commitment to offer education of a high academic standard in a model sufficiently flexible to help top young South African sportsmen and women achieve their dreams.
There are, no doubt, many more changes to come, but we embrace such changes with enthusiasm and in agreement with Darwin’s ‘survival of the fittest’ theory and his claim that ‘a man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.’ Prefects of 2012
60 Medalist
TuksSport News |
Dominating golf perfor- First major tournament vic- Championships, after ending tory for Lombard second to Toby Tree from Eng- mances from women land. Great work ethic, commit- So far 2012 will be remembered by The 2012 Northern Amateur ment and dedication paid off for the dominating performances of Open Championships was hosted him when he won the Northern the women golfers from TuksGolf. by Central Gauteng Golf Union Amateur Open Championships The charge is lead by second year from 11 – 16 March at Randpark with a final score of 13 under par student from Swaziland, Nobuhle Golf Club. This prestigious tour- from his close friend Victor Lange Dlamini winning the Eastern Cape nament is one of the most sought from Johannesburg. Golf Championships as well as the after tournaments to win by the North West Province Golf Champion- top amateur golfers in the coun- This is certainly the start of ships. The most spectacular achieve- try, so much so that in recent Zander Lombard’s list of victo- ment would certainly be during years an international contingent ries and we hope that this level the 2012 TuksGolf Club Champion- of performance would continue ships when Nobuhle defended her was also present to compete for title successfully with a world-class the top honours. and hopefully improve due to the score of 19 under par after only two work that he is doing with the rounds at Centurion Country Club. In junior amateur ranks the name specialists at the TuksGolf Acad- of Zander Lombard is already emy and the hpc. Nobuhle is focussed on becoming a a household name locally and professional golfer after completing abroad but it is only in recent her studies in 2013 in SportSciences years that the 17 year old golfer as well as at the PGA Academy. from Pretoria started to compete against the senior players in the country. Zander received his first senior provincial colours in 2011 representing Gauteng North at the Premier Interprovincial Tour- nament in Bloemfontein. Zander Lombard receiving the He steadily made his way up the trophy from Central Gauteng rankings and is currently ranked Golf Union’s President William 5th in South Africa and was also Lucas selected for the South African Team that played against Scot- land at Leopard Creek earlier in 2012.
Lombard almost tasted victory at his home provincial champion- Nobuhle Dlamini ships, the Gauteng North Golf
62 Medalist
62 Medalist | TuksSport News
Golf for the people! TuksGolf – 2012 Inter- Van Zyl crowned as Golf has always been an elitist sport varsity Champions champion in South Africa and especially at the The 2012 Golf Intervarsity between University of Pretoria. Since 1929 the University of Pretoria and the TuksGolf Junior Academy member, when the Tuks Golf Club was estab- University of Johannesburg was held Franco van Zyl, competed in the lished students that were introduced this year at the prestigious facilities Centurion Country Club’s 2012 Junior to the game during their childhood of The Els Club at Copperleaf. This Club Championships on Sunday years, either through a father or championship layout designed by 11 March. Franco, originally from family member, got the opportunity Ernie Els was a test for the players, Tzaneen, joined the TuksGolf Junior to compete in this sport due to the requiring accurate tee shots and pre- Academy in January 2012. high skill level it requires in order to cision touch around the greens. achieve success. It is quite clear that the work that he During the morning session’s four- Through the years various attempts is doing with the specialists are pay- somes matches it was clear that the was made to establish golf on the ing off due to his brilliant rounds of team from the University of Johan- sport campus and to provide train- 73 and 69 to clinch the 2012 Junior nesburg didn’t cross the Jukskei River ing solutions for staff and students Club Champions title at Centurion without intensions of winning this with very little or no success. During Country Club. battle. The foursome’s matches were 2010 the project was approved to halved with both teams scoring 2 start building a golf specific training points all; laying a perfect platform facility that would provide training for the single matches in the after- solutions to all staff and students noon. from all skill levels. The singles matches were no dif- The facility is now open and provides ferent from the morning’s matches training and coaching solutions to with the lead shifting between the staff, students and the public. With two teams. The first match was won 70 bays already constructed as well on the last hole by UJ when Pilley as state of the art coaching studios beat Reardon from Tuks (2 up), a this facility already is one of the well-deserved win. The following largest golf complexes in Gauteng. 5 matches were dominated by the Shortgame facilities are currently Tuks team with wins by Juan Swart Franco van Zyl receiving the trophy under construction and the installa- over Labrou from UJ (4&3), Loyd as Junior Club Champion at Centu- tion of floodlights will also provide Pollington over De Kock (5&3), van rion Country Club members with the opportunity to Niekerk over Barnes (1 up), van den make use of the facility during the Berg over Mycroft (8&7) and Loubser evening. over MacDonald (4&3). These five Various coaching services and pro- straight wins enabled the team from grams are available to choose from, Tuks to earn enough points to secure catering for players from as early as 4 victory before the two Dixon broth- years of age for both boys and girls. ers from UJ playing in the final two Visitors are also welcome to make matches beat Neethling and Ferreira. use of the facility with great specials for daily use as well as affordable The final score was Tuks 7 – UJ 5. membership packages. The facility is operational 7 days a week from 09h00 – 18h00 except on Mondays when it opens only at 11h00 due to maintenance being completed.
Team Tuks Back: Pollington, Neethling, Loubser, Reardon Front: Ferreira, Swart, van Niekerk, van den Berg (Captain)
Medalist 63 Inside News |
Podium performance from Tuks Tuks & hpc sponsored rowers junior athletes in ITU Triathlon on a trophy heist at Buffalo Premium African Cup Regatta!!!
Dieter Voight (Pasella) and LJ van Zyl
Abri vd Walt, Tuks Club member, finished in an amazing 1st place and Aidan Nugent, Tuks student and The tuks & hpc sponsored rowers did Triathlon Academy athlete finished extremely well at the 125th annual in 3rd place in the Junior race of the Buffalo Regatta in East London from 2012 ITU Triathlon Premium African 17 – 18 February. Of great signifi- TuksSport High learners and squash Cup held in PE on the 18th March. cance is the achievement by Peter players Sean White (Gr 12), Callan Lambert, who won the grand and Hall (Gr 8) & Boipelo Montwedi silver scull title; last done in 1994! (Gr 10) at the NJSA Round Robin (4-6 Feb)
Dr Phatho Cele, Head of product - & service providing at Sport, Science Khutso and Ansuné represented & Medical Unit at the hpc, has been Marli Toerien and Colin Stier Gauteng North Inter-provincial selected as the official medical summitted Kilomanjaro Tennis Tournament doctor to Team SA for London (January 2012) Olympics.
Bantwana SAU17 group 2012 Mapumalanga Swimming
64 Medalist | Inside News
Wian Sullwald, hpc sponsored tri-athlete the new SA Elite Triathlon Champ!
Theo Blignaut, hpc sponsored Swaziland’s Nobuhle Dlamini triathlete secured first position in survived a late round wobble to end the men’s race after dominating the a three year wait with a brilliant 2012 SA Cross Triathlon Champion- wire-to-wire victory in the Sanlam ships in a bitterly cold Bloemfontein, Women’s Amateur SA Stroke Play at the Tierpoort Dam on Saturday Championship at Umhlali Country Wian, finished in an amazing 3rd 31 March 2012. Club on Tuesday. place in the 2012 ITU Triathlon Pre- The Tuks Golf Academy student mium African Cup held in PE on the started with an eight shot lead and 18th March – winning the title as the fired a final round two-over-par 73 new “South African Elite triathlon to put the seal on a magnificent champion”. performance and a runaway victory.
Dlamini finished a full 10 shots clear of Mpumalanga’s Izel Pieters, who eagled the par-five 10th and parred the last eight holes for a 73 to sneak into second ahead of Free State amateur Lumien Orton and 17-year- old rising star, Lara Weinstein. The new age Impi Gricket Team Orton, back on the circuit after a TuksAthletics Academy & TuksSport year-long lay-off, carded a 76 while High learners performed well at the Weinstein saved her best golf for the SA Sub youth, Youth, Junior and u/23 final round and signed off on a 72. championships held in Germiston from 29 - 31 March
2012 TuksGolf Club Champions Senior Champ - Teagan Moore (-5), Ladies Champ - Nobuhle Dlamini (-19) & Junior Champ - Albert Venter (+3) Preston Naidoo, Grade 8 learner Jovan Stephens won 1 Gold Medal at TuksSport High School who has and 1 Silver Medal at the Ten Club been chosen to be a Gauteng Brand Trampoline Competition on 10 Ambassador. March.
Medalist 65 Inside News |
Olympians’ Training Venue of Choice!!!
Over the 10 years of the hpc’s exis- tence it is clear that it has developed into the preferred training venue of choice for international and national elite sports teams and individual athletes alike. Denmark National Swimming Team Luxembourg Swimming Team Since December 2011 up to now, the hpc hosted several international sports teams from countries such as Turkey, Slovenia, Belarus, Estonian, Denmark, Britain, France, Spain, Luxembourg and Sweden. During this period the German National Ham- mer and Discus throwers as well as Germany’s High Jump Champ, the French National Swimming Team Welsh Ladies cricket team and the Angolan Paralympic all did their pre- training for the Olympics at the hpc. Angolan National Paralympic Team
The British team enjoyed their 10th annual stay at the hpc and vouched to be back next year, while the German Hammer Team who are a household name after 12 visits to the hpc are currently at the hpc for their final preparations for the Olympics. German National Discus Team Welsh Ladies Cricket team The excellent training facilities (spe- cialized gym, open 50m swimming pool), accommodation, great tasting meals, perfect weather conditions, altitude and the friendly/ profes- sional staff were some of the reasons why these groups choose to train at the hpc.
Gunter Eisinger, Ariana Friederich, German National Hammer Team German High Jump Champ and Peter Hechof
National swimming teams: Turkey, British National Swimming Team Belarus, Slovenia and Estonia Swedish National Swimming Team
66 Medalist | Inside News
SWISS TENNIS, refined, experienced and effective. The trip provided Kirsty with reassur- ance that the current methods used are accurate and also used by the Text: Kirsty Querl, Sports Scientist, Institute for sport research best in the world but also provided a wealth of new ideas better under- Swiss tennis is based in the city of the attention to detail within ten- standing of tennis specific training Biel and is the centre of a very well nis movement that needs to be and enhanced expertise in training organised tennis Federation. Beni emphasised during training. This tennis players. This trip allowed her Linder is the head strength and training can be done to all physical to form friendships and working re- conditioning coach with a wealth of components such as speed, strength, lationships of a long-term nature and experience, knowledge and inspira- endurance, flexibility and coordina- an open invitation for the future. tion to share. tion. This is a valuable concept as A big thank you to Prof Kruger and trainers are continually under pres- ISR for the assistance in making Benedikt (Beni) Linder has been sure from coaches to make training Kirsty’s trip possible. head physical coach for Swiss team more specific to their sport. Trainers since 2005 and before that worked should understand that this does not as a freelance physical coach in a only refer to using the exact equip- range of sports such as badminton, ment used in a specific sport but motocross, swimming Formula One more specifically reproducing similar and tennis. Pierre Paganini (Roger movement patterns and demands of Federer’s trainer for the past 10 the sport. years,) was his mentor before he took over as head coach at Swiss 60- 100% versus 80% training prin- tennis. ciple. Although this is not a new con- cept, it is very common for groups to Swiss tennis provided a unique get into a routine of certain intensity opportunity to learn from their levels in their physical sessions. professionals to three individuals Training at 80% does not allow for from around the world. Kirsty Querl effective explosiveness and dynamic was invited along with two coaches accents. In a sport that tennis this is from Syria and Lithuania to spend vital. The polarised training principle 10 days observing and taking part that applies to endurance sports is in the physical conditioning of Swiss also a valuable tool when training for tennis players. This is the first time explosive intermittent sports. Swiss tennis has opened its doors to professionals from other countries. The complexity of speed agility and The courses and training opportu- quickness training is so complex nities are usually only available to that one can spend the majority Swiss coaches. of time focusing in this area. It can and should be broken down into Swiss tennis headquarters are based many parts which can be worked on in Biel but they have fifteen partner specifically as well as working on all- academies around the country that inclusive/complex speed which is a all have their own head coach and more general training approach. The physical coach. All of these acade- modern game is about athleticism, mies work on a curriculum distribut- foot force into the ground, dynamic ed from Swiss tennis so that there is balance, differentiation between easy transfer of players and coaches small and large footwork are some around the country and excellent specific areas that are often over- continuity within the system. They looked and unknown to players. have three tiers of players which they consider to be the national Planning in the modern tennis team and they are based around the calendar is a complex process. This country this is a group of approxi- can only be effective and practical if mately 60 athletes. it is done for each individual and as a dynamic process that has to be able The major areas of discussion and to change from day to day. Multiple learning during my visit centred on preparation phases need to be the following areas: covered throughout the year to keep players in top condition. The time “Oriented training” this is physical between these phases is crucial and training of the conditional abilities should not be too long or too short. and physical factors with similar movements to the game. This is
Medalist 67 Small Ads |
To advertise your workshop, services or products call Maunée at 083 273 4565 or E-mail [email protected]
Your Travel Experts, preferred travel partner to the hpc.
For a specialized
NEW GOLF FACILITY OPEN! travel experience contact: Terry: 0124601720 Time: 07h30 - 17h30 Monday - Sunday Cost: 2011 UP- Students R 200/month (unlimited balls) Benine: 0124601715 2011 UP- Staff R 200/month (unlimited balls) Public membership R 250/month (unlimited balls) Linda: 0124601721 or Daily visitor R50 (unlimited balls) [email protected] Contact: Christopher Holden - 082 780 5597 [email protected] TuksGolf Offi ce - 012 420 6140 SPORTSCIENCE GYM State-of-the-art training equipment Various packages are available: UP Staff/Students Operational hours: Assessment and personal training Commercial/general public (6, 12 months) Monday – Friday: programme with biokinetist (6, 12 months) R213 p/m 05:30 – 20:30 TGS key system to help you keep track R266 p/m R250 joining fee Saturday: of your own progress R250 joining fee 07:00 – 13:00 Personalised training programme to fit Off-Peak Sunday and public holidays: your needs Family (6, 12 months) (09:00 to 16:00) 07:00 – 12:00 Train alongside known elite, national R374 p/m (husband and wife) R188 p/m x 6, 12 months and international sports people R107 p/m per child (u18 yrs) R250 joining fee R250 joining fee each
Please contact Larissa Tel: (012) 362 9889/00 e-mail: [email protected] •Terms and conditions apply
68 Medalist | Small Ads hpc Hotel and Conference Centre Sportscience Hotel • The hotel offers 3-star sport inspired hotel accomodation housed on the top floor of & the hpc Medical Unit • Boasts spectacular views of the sporting grounds • Visitors stay in top star comfort while Performance enhancement services being offered the use of the centre’s full spectrum of services • Athlete testing & programme • Tailor-made hotel packages • Usage of the sportscience gym and 25m prescription heated swimming pool • Biomechanical analysis • Services of the Institute of Sport Research • Sport psychology • Conferencing facilities • Nutrition • Transportation for guests • Strength & conditioning Lockers • Recovery • Vision • The lockers offer top-class team accommodation with rooms configured • Specific speed & agility to accommodate singles, double sharing • Athlete management and, for younger teams, up to four guests per room in bunk beds Medical and rehabilitation services • En-suite bathrooms with showers • Bar fridges • Tea and coffee making facilities • Sports physicians • Flat screen TV’s and WiFi • Physiotherapists • Access to 24-hour security • Biokineticists • Safes and Laundry facilities
Conference facilities The Nashua Auditorium • Seating 51-delegates • Built-in tables in schoolroom style • Most modern audio-visual equipment • Big screen match viewing
Legacy Room • Seat up to 60 delegates in schoolroom style • 30 delegates in a U-shape • Ideally suited for team meetings, training sessions, product launches and promotions • Is equipped for conferencing with a r stunning view mbe Slip • Refreshments and meals are served on e pe the patio overlooking the swimming pool m r e C R a
Boardroom m
• Suitable for groups of up to 12 delegates p
• Suitable for small groups, workshops, a
i
meetings and Breakaway Room g n Time Out Café • Time Out Café offers a selective á la carte menu • A buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner • An outdoor patio seating 50 - overlooking 3 August 2012 the hpc swimming pool • 24-hour televised sports coverage Reach for your slippers and • Event opportunities • Mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks help to make dream on order come true!
We offer food in one of the world’s most Buy your R10 sticker at unique sporting environments. Reach For A Dream Offices or Milady’s stores
Medalist 69 from the sideline |
from the sideline
Text: Lester Mills
off your personal game or game as Tuks marathon Steven Mokoka. a team by just a fraction - you get He made the headlines on day 1 of swallowed up. Just ask Tiger Woods the Yellow Pages SA Senior Track himself. and Field Championships in Port MISSING out on that coveted Green So, if people are prepared to fill Elizabeth recently by running the Jacket when Bubba Watson won a stadiums to come and watch you or third fastest time recorded in the sudden-death play-off to rob him for your team play, you are definitely 10 000m in this country to add the the Masters crown at the Augusta doing something right and are 10 000m to his marathon Olympic National will hurt for some time, but obviously a marketable product qualifying time. Mokoka’s time of Louis Oosthuizen has found a way to which can generate bone fide cash 27:40.73 was the third fastest time soften the blow. flow. yet run by a South African, only SA record holder Hendrik Ramaala and ‘Winning other golf tournaments’. Just think of the packed galleries of nine time SA 10 000m champion, The 29-year-old from Mossel Bay “patrons” who watched Oosthuizen Xolile Yawa have gone faster. (PE won the Malaysian Open a week at the Masters. 22.02.1999 and PE 12.12.1987 after the Masters in Augusta which As an interesting aside here, the respectively). help to cushion the blow, mentally members at the Augusta insist that and definitely financially. fans that come and watch the golf Should Mokoka run an Olympic On three successive weekends, there are referred to as “patrons” A-Qualifier again at an international Oosthuizen finished third in the and not fans or “the crowds.” So meeting he will need to decide if he Shell Houston Open, second in the powerful is this order that the TV will run the 10 000m in London or Masters, and first in Malaysia. So, network with the rights to broadcast the Marathon for which he has also of course, the money's been rolling have to have their commentators qualified. in. Runner-up at Augusta was worth refer to them as such or face losing the equivalent of R6,75-million, the their contract. Also, have you Decathlete Willem Coertzen, one-lap Malaysian victory was worth R3,25- ever wondered why the American hurdler Cornel Fredericks and South million and added to the R2-million dominated crowds are so well African javelin throw record holder made in Houston means he made behaved at Augusta? Well, the things Sunette Viljoen all booked their around R12-million in 15 days. is, step out of line here by shouting places for the Games in July. They Certainly more money than most too loud, having your cell phone ring joined 400m hurdles ace LJ van Zyl, people will earn in a lifetime. or having one too few and you are who qualified a week before at an I must say that does sound obscene. evicted immediately and slapped inter-club meeting in Pretoria. With millions facing starvation on with a lifetime ban. This same club But what about Caster Semenya? a daily basis here we have a single also still does not admit women as Her new coach and three-time world sportsman commanding so much members! 800m champion Maria Mutola money just in prize money. has obviously been cracking the When it comes to earning “big But back to sportsmen and women whip and the double-lap specialist bucks” Oosthuizen is naturally not and their marketability. is making great progress. Mutola alone. Many other golfers, tennis With less than 100 days to go before has set her to charge the goal of players, footballer's, basketball the start of the 2012 London Olympic running a sub-two minute race on players and other professional Games, it’s another in the once every South African soil, a feat that was sportsmen and women do enjoy the four years chance athletes in South last achieved in 1991 when Zelda good life. Africa have to market and make a Pretorius ran a time of 1:58.85. name for themselves. Semenya reached the 1:59.90 As the debate rages, however, I have Between events like the Olympics qualifying time for the first time been reminded that most of them and to a lesser extent the World last year at the IAAF World actually probably do deserve what Athletic Championships and Championships in South Korea when they get. Commonwealth Games, world class she relinquished her title to Mariya Yes, there is a fair amount of natural athletes like Khotso Mokoena and Savinova of Russia. talent which goes into it. LJ van Zyl have to rely on their own Tiger Woods, for example, was wits simply to survive. They have to She needs to dip below the handed $10-million by sponsor Nike therefore jump at the opportunity qualifying mark one more time on him turning professional, before to earn some money. Being human before the June 30 deadline, to book having won a single tournament in though they also get injured, a place for the Games and such has the paid ranks. Of course, he had struggle for form etc. been her progress, odds are she will been marketed brilliantly by Dad Earl do that easily. in his junior years, but there was no They must at times then wonder I reckon we (South Africa) are going doubting his talent. if they have chosen the correct to have a good Games medals wise Hard work and hours and hours of sporting discipline to be good at. in London. Watch out especially for practice also need to follow this Of course you can also be like our women’s hockey team. talent. The world of professional Athletics Gauteng North (AGN) and Here’s hoping! sport is just so competitive. If you're
70 Medalist hpc offers the following services: State-of-the-art sport science gymnasium Expertly groomed sports fields, courts and facilities Discipline-specific sports academies First class academic programmes from Gr 8 - Gr 12 and then Tertiary Luxury and team accommodation Sports inspired dining Superior conference facilities Cutting edge sport research and technology Peerless sport science and medical unit Specialist advice from leading professionals in sport psychology, nutrition, physiotherapy and law
hpc, LC de Villiers Sports Grounds, University of Pretoria, Burnett Street, Tel: +27 12 362 9800, Fax: +27 12 362 9890 E-mail: [email protected], Website: www.hpc.co.za 100% CHLORINE RESISTANT
DESIGNED TO LAST LONGER QUICK DRYING & ENGINEERED TO RETAIN ITS SHAPE SWIM AFTER SWIM Speedo, and Endurance are trade marks of and used under license from Speedo Holdings B.V. Speedo Holdings B.V. trade marks of and used under license from Speedo, and Endurance are
www.speedo.com for more info call Customer Care 0800 Speedo (773 336) or [email protected]