Results From South Africa's 2022 Healthy Active Kids' Report Card on Physical Activity, Body Composition Proxies, and Nutritional Status in Children and Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) and nutrition in children have an impact on overall physical and mental well-being, cognitive, and social development. This study aims to report on the best current available evidence on PA, body composition proxies, and nutritional status of South African children and adolescents, based on the published findings between 2018 and 2022, which comprise the 2022 Healthy Active Kids South Africa Report Card. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search of online databases, along with hand searching and a gray literature search, was conducted based on PA, body composition proxies, and nutrition indicators defined, in part, by the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance. RESULTS: Compared with the 2018 report card, there was an improvement in the majority of PA indicators which include overall PA (B-), active transportation (B-), physical fitness (B-), and government policy and programs (C). Body composition proxies and most of the nutrition indicators remained unchanged. The indicators that regressed from 2018 to 2022 included community and environmental influences (D), as well as participation in organized sport (D-). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the apparent improvement in overall PA levels in children and adolescents, there is a lack of tangible evidence of actual implementation of policies and programs. There was also a lack of nationally representative data for most indicators. Overall, there is a need to identify intersectoral, equitable approaches for promoting PA and healthy eating in South African children and adolescents and ongoing monitoring and surveillance.

The effect of an eight-week shoulder rehabilitation intervention programme on pain and function, range of motion and muscle strength among teachers: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Teachers present with shoulder musculoskeletal disorders, which result in pain and poor shoulder function. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of an eight-week shoulder rehabilitation intervention on pain and function, range of motion and muscle strength among teachers. METHODS: Thirty teachers presenting with shoulder pain were recruited and divided into equal control and experimental groups. The intervention group participated in an eight-week rehabilitation programme. Pre- and post-intervention measurements included the scapular position test, range of motion, muscle strength measurements as well as a shoulder rating questionnaire. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in the experimental group's internal range of motion for the dominant (p= 0.006) and non-dominant arms (p= 0.003) post-intervention. Additionally, significant improvements were found in muscle strength in the experimental group in dominant and non-dominant flexion; abduction; external rotation (p< 0.001); dominant internal rotation (p< 0.001) and non-dominant internal rotation strength (p= 0.007). Post-intervention questionnaire data found a decrease in pain (p= 0.003); improved ability to perform daily activities (p= 0.006); improved overall score (p< 0.001) and satisfaction (p= 0.023) in the intervention group compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: The implementation of a rehabilitation programme in schools should be considered to manage the prevalence of shoulder musculoskeletal disorders among teachers.

The carry-over effect of an aquatic-based intervention in children with cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common motor disability in childhood. Children with CP are more likely to have lower levels of physical activity than their peers, which has negative implications for their health. However, aquatic exercise can be used to improve levels of fitness among children with CP. OBJECTIVE: To determine the carry-over effect of an aquatic-based programme (postural control and balance) on land (walking, running and jumping) in children with CP, post aquatic intervention. METHOD: The study used a pretest-post-test, randomised group, cross-over design. Children aged 8-12 years (n = 10) were divided into intervention (n = 5) and control (n = 5) groups. The intervention group participated in two 30-min sessions a week, while the control group continued with normal activities. Pre- and post-intervention testing was conducted using gross motor function measurement. The 10-point programme of the Halliwick Concept was used. RESULTS: Results demonstrated that the aquatic therapy had a significant effect on gross motor function scores. The aquatic programme-based group showed increased motor function following the intervention, compared to the control group (z = -2.803, p = 0.005). Furthermore, the aquatic-based therapy improved the average score for gross motor function measurement, post-intervention. CONCLUSION: Together with conventional modes of therapy, aquatic-based programmes should be integrated and considered as an essential, ongoing mode of treatment for children with CP, in order to ensure long-term gross motor function improvements.

The effect of therapeutic horseback riding on heart rate variability of children with disabilities.

BACKGROUND: Heart rate variability (HRV) is the oscillation in the interval between consecutive heart beats, resulting from dynamic interplay between multiple physiologic mechanisms that regulate instantaneous heart rate. Short-term heart rate regulation is governed by sympathetic and parasympathetic neural activity and therefore HRV examination can be used as a non-invasive estimate of the functioning of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). AIM: To determine the effects of therapeutic horseback riding (THR) intervention on the HRV of children with disabilities. The objective was to examine if THR intervention improves the HRV of children, hence improving the parasympathetic activity that is associated with a calm and relaxed state. METHODS: This is a quasi-experimental design. Heart rate variability components were measured over six intervention sessions of THR. Heart rate variability measures were recorded from 29 participants with various disabilities, and was assessed in both time and frequency domains. RESULTS: Over the six THR sessions, the time domain showed an increase in HRV for pre-THR indicating improved vagal activation, whereas frequency domain showed both increased sympathetic activity and increased parasympathetic activation during THR based on different components of frequency domain. CONCLUSION: Therapeutic horseback riding intervention of six sessions demonstrated a change in HRV of children with disabilities. However, the changes obtained were not significant to make conclusive measures as to whether sympathetic or parasympathetic activity is predominantly increased after the six sessions. Further research involving more than six sessions of THR is required to yield more significant changes.