| Summary: | 1. The problem and purpose of this research: It is necessary, from time to time, to question the
established methods and systems and to test them scientifically.
An examination of the contents and methods of fixed
systems can indicate any deficiencies or merits present.
This dissertation must be seen against this background.
The Defence Force and Police have for years been •
using the system of basic training one of their main aims
being the encouragement of physical fitness. The purpose of
this thesis, in the first instance, is to determine whether
and to which extent the basic training of the Defence Force
and Police College contributes to the promotion of physical
fitness; secondly, whether the level of fitness reached
compares favourably with that of Standard Ten pupils. Therefore
a group of ballotees (recruits) and Police College students
were tested at the beginning of their training courses.
The same test-programme was repeated on the same people
after a certain period had elapsed. A comparison of the
results indicates to which extent progress was made.
2. What is Physical Fitness: (a) A study of' physical fitness proves that "physical
fitness" is a term which cannot be defined easily.
An average view on this matter discloses that bodily output
(working-capacity) is the central constituent of physical
fitness. The final view of physical fitness is present
in the ability of the individual to perform or execute a certain
task without fatigue or weariness; the traits which
determine this are those present in the total personality.
The following description of physical fitness is accepted
as a reliable indication of what physical fitness is;
physical fitness is the ability of the human being to perform
certain types of physical labour which dynamically involve
the large muscle-groups; labour which brings to the proof
the strength, endurance, speed, power and agility of the body;
the ability of the body to adjust easily to these activities
and to recover speedily ,and to still have a reserve-stock
of bodily energy to take part in other forms of labour,
relaxation or for emergency cases. Good health, a normal
stature and normal physiological functions are fundamental
requirements for physical fitness.
(b) The following aspects are the most important
components of physical fitness: medical fitness, strength,
endurance, agility, power, co-ordinc1tion and body-build.
The judgement of medical fitness must be done by a medical
doctor. The classification of body-build unnecessarily
complicates the test-battery. When the normal groups are
judged, this component does not play such an important role
and can therefore be ignored.
Other components can be measured by testing.
3. The measurement of physical fitness: Different test batteries that measure physicc1l fitness
were studied md out of these a choice of tests have been
made that are grouped in a battery for the measurement of
physical fitness. For the purpose of this study the following
test battery for the measurement of physical fitness
have been used;
(1) Chinning and
(2) Dipping for the measurement of the dynamic
strength of the arms and shoulder-girdle;
(3) Standing broad jump that measures the power
of the legs;
(4) The 100-yard dash as a test for running speed;
(5) Bar snap for distance for the measurement of the
general co-ordination of the body.
(6) The 440-yard run and
(7) 800-feet shuttle run for the measurement of
general physical endurance;
(8) The two-minute sit-ups for the measurement of
dynamic strength and endurance of the abdominal
muscles, and
(9) The Gallagher and Brouha Step Test for the testing
of physical fitness and organic fitness.
(10) The average achievement of this battery is
the Index of Physical Fitness of the person or
group.
4. The method of research: (a) This battery was applied during July and September,
1967 on 115 Defence Force recruits of the Artillery
and Infantry regiments who were stationed at Potchefstroom.
During July and October, 1967 115 students of the Police
College in Pretoria were tested. And during September and
October, 1967 133 Standard Ten pupils of the “Potchefstroomse
Hoër Volkskool" and the “Hoërskool Gimnasium, Potchefstroom"
were tested. The same groups of recruits and students were
twice tested1 pupils were tested only once. Only those who
completed both tests fully were considered for the consideration
of progress in physical fitness.
(b) The raw scores were tabulated and systematized
and after that the mean scores, standard deviations and the
significance of differences were determined. The results
were taken from 5509 tests that were applied to 363 young men.
Achievements of the final results of recruits and Police students
were used to compile an achievement-scale of both these
groups. Results of the groups were converted to percentage
units on the achievement-scale and according to this, the
groups were compared. Conclusions were made from these
results. Results were also compared with those of other
studies. According to the results of this dissertation,
the following conclusions can be made.
5. Conclusions: (1) The basic training course of the South African
Defence Force and that of the South African Police College,
in respect of physical fitness contributes a powerful, positive
stimulus to promote physical fitness.
(2) The standard of physical fitness of the young
men who go to the South African Defence Force or Police College
for training after they have left school, is so poor
that they first have to undergo a basic training of at least
nine weeks to comply with the demands of the South African
Defence Force and Police College, in order to be able to be
compared favourably with Standard Ten pupils.
(3) The recruits and students of the Police College
were (when allowed to these institutions) significantly
in a poorer physic condition than the pupils in Standard
Ten.
(4) There were strong indications that the standard
of physical fitness of the young men, after they have left
school, declines to such an extent, that when they go for
Defence Force or Police College training 7 a basic conditioning
in physical fitness is absolutely necessary.
(5) The Physical Fitness Index of Defence Force
recruits after they have completed their basic training and
that of boys in Standard Ten differs insignificantly. At
the end of his school career, the Standard Ten pupil complies
with tl1e demands of the standard of physical fitness
required by the Defence Force.
(6) The Physical Fitness Index of Police students
after they have completed a training course of eleven weeks,
is significantly better than that of Standard Ten school
boys. At the end of his school career, the Standard Ten boy
does not comply with the demands of the standard of physical
fitness required by the South African Police College. An
additional programme for the promotion of physical fitness
is necessary.
(7) The Physical Fitness Index of Police students and
of Defence Force recruits differs significantly at the beginning
of their different training courses. The difference was
in favour of the Police students.
After completion of the basic training of the Defence
Force recruits (Artillery and Infantry) the index of
physical fitness of Police students was significantly better
than that of Defence force recruits. By final testing, Police
students proved to be significantly more fit than Defence
Force recruits.
(8) After the completion of their basic training, the
Artillery and the Infantry regiments of the Defence Force
differ insignificantly.
(9) There is a need for an objective, reliable, valid
and simple norm which complies with local requirements and
according to which the standard of physical fitness of Army
recruits and Police students can be measured. Achievement scales
which provide in this need are included in this study. === Thesis (MEd)--PU vir CHO
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