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Item Perceived benefits of and barriers to exercise participation among secondary school students.(Richtmann Publishing, 2014-09-02) Kubayi, N.A.The benefits of participating in physical exercise are numerous and well documented in the literature. Research evidence suggests that adolescents are becoming more obese and more sedentary because of their lack of participation in physical exercise. The purpose of this study was to identify and rank perceived benefits and barriers associated with participation in physical exercise among secondary school students. It also sought to investigate whether any differences exist between males and females regarding physical activity participation. Data were collected from 251 (120 males and 131 females) students attending three public secondary schools in the Hlanganani rural area of Limpopo province, South Africa. Frequencies were used to report on the demographic data and means were used to rank the benefits and barriers associated with participation in physical exercise. The results of the study indicated that the most likely reasons to exercise were to feel less anxious, less depressed, less stressed and to lose weight. On the other hand, lack of time due to children, hair maintenance issues, self-consciousness about body or physical appearance, use of drugs and/or alcohol and the lack of proper equipment or access to exercise facilities were identified as major barriers to physical exercise. The results of this study have practical implications for promoting physical activity in rural schools. However, it is recommended that the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Sport and Recreation, should provide schools with sport facilities and equipment for the successful implementation of physical exercise programmes.Item Familial and peer influences on sport participation among adolescents in rural South African secondary schools.(Richtmann Publishing, 2014-09-01) Kubayi, Ntwanano A.; Jooste, Julius; Toriola, Abel L.; Paul, YvonneThis study was designed to investigate the influences of family and peers on sport participation amongst adolescents in secondary schools at Hlanganani rural area of Limpopo Province, South Africa. A total of 172 learners (108 females and 64 males) attending three public secondary schools in Hlanganani rural area volunteered to participate in the study. Results indicated that adolescents preferred peers to family for support in sport participation. In terms of gender, no significant differences (p>0.05) were noted between mean values for school boys and girls with regard to family influence. Boys reported more tangible support, whereas girls indicated a preference for emotional support. Sport participation among learners is likely to increase when they receive informational, tangible, emotional and appraisal support from their parents and peers.Item Burnout and paths to turnover Intentions among South African sport coaches.(University of Montenegro (University Publisher) & Montenegrin Sports Academy (Society Publisher), 2018-04-11) Kubayi, AllianceTh is study investigated burnout and turnover intentions among 119 South African sport coaches (78 males and 38 females) aged 18 to 64 years (M = 30.28, SD = 9.83 years), who were recruited to participate in the study. Data were collected using the Maslach Burnout Inventory and Turnover Intentions Questionnaire. Th e results showed that sport coaches reported low levels of emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment, with the exception of depersonalization, demonstrating that sport coaches were less burned out. Of the three subscales of burnout, the highest significant correlation was observed between emotional exhaustion and turnover (r = .227, p < .01). Th e practical implications of the findings are discussed, and recommendations for future research are provided.Item Development and initial validation of an instrument to assess stressors among South African sports coaches.(Taylor & Francis Group, 2017-09-09) Kubayi, Alliance; Toriola, Abel; Didymus, FayeThe aim of this series of studies was to develop and initially validate an instrument to assess stressors among South African sports coaches. In study one, a preliminary pool of 45 items was developed based on existing literature and an expert panel was employed to assess the content validity and applicability of these items. In study two, the 32 items that were retained after study one were analysed using principal component analysis (PCA). The resultant factorial structure comprised four components: environmental stressors, performance stressors, task-related stressors, and athlete stressors. These four components were made up of 26 items and, together, the components and items comprised the provisional Stressors in Sports Coaching Questionnaire (SSCQ). The results show that the SSCQ demonstrates acceptable internal consistency (.73–.89). The findings provide preliminary evidence that SSCQ is a valid tool to assess stressors among South African sports coaches.Item The health benefits of exercise therapy for patients with down syndrome: A systematic review.(OASIS, 2019-07-26) Paul, Yvonne; Ellapen, Terry J.; Barnard, Marco; Hammill, Henriëtte V.; Swanepoel, MariëtteBackground: Many patients with Down syndrome (PWDS) have poor cardiometabolic risk profiles, aerobic capacities and weak hypotonic muscles, primarily because of physical inactivity and poor diet. Objectives: This study discusses the benefits of exercise therapy on body composition, aerobic capacity, muscle strength, proprioception and cardiometabolic profiles of PWDS. Methods: A literature review using the Crossref metadatabase, following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), focusing on the period 2007-2018, was undertaken. Each record was judged adopting the modified Downs and Black Appraisal Scale. The literature investigation identified 15 701 records. Records were excluded if they were published before 2007, pertained to the impact of exercise on intellectual disabilities beyond Down syndrome or the impact of medical, pharmaceutical, nutrition and psychological interventions among PWDS and were published in languages besides English. Nineteen articles were synthesised into this commentary. Results: PWDS have a heightened cardiometabolic risk profile and high oxidative stress associated with elevated insulin resistance, poor insulin sensitivity, atherosclerosis and hypertension. PWDS have low aerobic capacity (VO2max), peak heart rates, muscle strength, agility and balance. Regular physical activity is beneficial to improve their VO2max and muscle strength. Moreover, regular physical activity reduces lipid peroxidation and arterial cell wall damage, the pathogenesis of atheroma is limited. Conclusion: Exercise therapy compliance seems to have a positive impact on the cardiometabolic risk profile, muscle strength and aerobic work capacity of PWDS. Nonetheless, additional vigorous experimental investigations are necessary to better understand the effect of exercise therapy on the aerobic, strength, proprioception and cardiometabolic risk profile of PWDS.Item Effect of the away goal rule on the technical performance of football teams in the UEFA Champions League.(Taylor & Francis Group, 2024-05-03) Kubayi, Alliance; Joseph, Stone A.Despite significant debate surrounding UEFA’s removal of the away goal rule in 2021, its impact on technical performance has not been studied. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate how selected technical performance indicators were impacted by the change in the away goal rule during the UEFA Champions League. Data were sourced via the Wyscout platform. The sample consisted of 112 UEFA Champions League games played during the knock-out stages of the competition, in which 56 games were played during seasons with an away goal rule (2017–2018 and 2018–2019) and 56 were played in seasons without an away goal rule (2021–2022 and 2022–2023). The findings showed that the removal of the away goal rule was accompanied by significant (p < 0.05) decreases in average pass length, long passes, progressive passes, passes to the final third, offsides, duels, duels won, and counterattacks. Furthermore, a significant (p < 0.05) interaction was found between the away goal rule and the leg of competition, affecting the number of counterattacks with shots. Therefore, UEFA should take cognisant of the present findings when considering the use of the away goal rule in future competitions.Item The creation of goal-scoring opportunities at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.(Sciendo, 2022-01-01) Kubayi, AllianceThe aim of this study was to analyse how goal-scoring opportunities (GSOs) were created at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The sample consisted of 868 GSOs that led to a shot at the goal throughout all 52 games during the tournament. All games were downloaded from the InStat platform. Descriptive statistics, chi-square of association and binary logistic regression analysis were used to analyse the data. Of the 868 GSOs, 81 (9.1%) resulted in goals. A significant association was observed between GSOs and the type of attack (χ2=6.38, p=0.01, V=0.09), with more goals being scored from a counter-attack (12.7%) than an organised attack (7.5%). Counter-attacks recorded a higher odds ratio in univariate analysis (OR=0.56; 95%CI:0.35–0.88; p=0.01) than in multivariate analysis (OR=0.46; 95%CI:0.28–0.76; p=0.002). The multivariate analysis further indicated a significant probability of scoring when ball possession started in the middle third of the field (OR=0.19; 95%CI:0.44–0.88; p= 0.01). The current study has practical implications for soccer coaches to develop and implement training sessions to improve goal-scoring chances of women’s teams at international competitions.Item Analysis of teams’ corner kicks defensive strategies at the FIFA World Cup 2018.(Taylor and Francis Group, 2019-08-23) Kubayi, Alliance; Larkin, PaulThe aim of this study was to analyse corner kick defensive strategies during the 2018 FIFA World Cup. A total of 600 corner kicks from all 64 matches in the tournament were obtained from the InStat database and analysed. Data were analysed and reported as frequency counts and percentages. Chi-square test for independence (χ2) used to test associations between key performance indicators. Results showed that 22 goals (3.7% of all corners kicks) were conceded from corner kicks. Teams conceded more goals using a zonal marking strategy (6.0%) compared to a mixed marking strategy (3.7%). There was a significant association between types of corner kicks and defensive outcomes (χ2 = 111.30,V = 0.57). Most goals were conceded from inswing corner kicks (4.6%) compared to short (3.3%) and outswing (3.1%) corner kicks. Seventeen (3.9%) goals were conceded from corners when there were no players on the goal line. Most goals came from the centre (7.0%) and the first goalpost (3.5%). These findings highlight potential strategies soccer coaches may employ for an effective defensive set-up against corners, such as employing a mixed marking method, having players positioned on the goalposts and being aware of the attacking threat posed by short corner kicks.Item Evaluation of match-running distances covered by soccer players during the UEFA EURO 2016.(South African Sports Medicine Association (SASMA), 2019-01-01) Kubayi, A.Background: Despite a substantial body of literature on match-running distances covered by soccer players in domestic leagues, there appears to be limited information on the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Euro competitions. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse the match-running distances covered by soccer players during the UEFA Euro 2016. Methods: A multiple-camera tracking system (InStat Ltd) was used to analyse 228 observations of soccer players who played 15 full matches during the tournament. The outfield players were categorised according to the following playing positions: central defenders (CDs), n=58; wide defenders (WDs), n=45; central midfielders (CMs), n=53, wide midfielders (WMs), n=38; and attackers (ATs), n=34. Data were reported as means with 95% confidence intervals (CI). A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was undertaken to examine the significant differences among players based on playing positions. Results: The results indicated that the overall total distance covered by players was 10 350 m, ranging from 8 446 m to 12 982 m. ATs covered the longest distance in high-speed running (872 m; 95% CI = 813–931), while CDs covered the shortest distance (542 m; 95% CI = 503–581). A statistically significant difference was observed in high-speed running among players (F (4 223) = 36.92, P=0.001). Conclusion: The findings of this study provide soccer scientists and coaches with important information to design and implement training sessions in order to elucidate the physical demands of players in view of successful team performance.Item Design and preliminary validation of the barriers to sports coaching questionnaire for women in South Africa: An application of the ecological model.(Taylor and Francis Group (Commercial Publisher), 2020-06-26) Kubayi, Alliance; Didymus, Faye F.; Morris-Eyton, Heather; Jooste, JuliusThe purpose of this study was to develop and preliminarily validate a questionnaire to examine barriers to coaching that are encountered by women sports coaches in South Africa. Two series of studies were conducted to assess content and face validity, factorial structure, and reliability of a new questionnaire. In study one, 40 items were developed based on LaVoi and Dutove’s ecological model of barriers and supports for female coaches and a thorough literature review. A panel of experts was employed to explore content validity and suitability of the provisional items. In study two, an initial 35-item questionnaire (the Barriers to Sports Coaching Questionnaire for Women; BSCQW) was administered to 152 women sports coaches who were working in South Africa. Principal component analysis was used to reduce items and determine the factorial structure of the questionnaire. Analyses resulted in a 32-item BSCQW, which consists of intrapersonal, interpersonal, organisational, and socio-cultural barriers to coaching. The most proximal barriers were organisational (M = 2.71, SD = 1.24) and interpersonal (M = 2.22, SD = 1.04). The findings indicate that the overall internal consistency of the BSCQW was .81, demonstrating that the questionnaire was reliable. Thus, BSCQW is a valid tool to assess barriers experienced by women sports coaches in South Africa. Further rigorous psychometric assessments are warranted.Item Analysis of goalkeepers’ game performances at the 2016 European Football Championships.(South African Sports Medicine Association (Commercial Publisher), 2020-06-30) Kubayi, A.Background: Despite a substantial body of literature on the physical and technical demands of outfield players in football, there is little information regarding the performance of goalkeepers. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse the game performance profiles of goalkeepers at the 2016 European Football Championships. Methods: A total of 30 goalkeepers from 15 games played during the 2016 European Football Championships were analysed using the InStat® video tracking system. Results: The results showed that goalkeepers covered a mean total distance of 4819 m, ranging from 4036 m to 6640 m. Overall, 68% of distance travelled was attributed to walking, whereas 0.8% was due to high-intensity activities. The goalkeepers of teams that lost matches covered significantly (p< 0.05) longer distances while sprinting than those of teams that drew or won the matches. Goalkeepers of teams that drew significantly (p < 0.05) had a greater number of passes than those goalkeepers of teams that won or lost. Conclusion: The current results have implications for soccer coaches to structure training sessions and tactical strategies for goalkeepers. The ability of goalkeepers to meet the physical and technical demands of a match could directly influence the successful execution of skills and the outcome of the competition.Item Match-related statistics differentiating winning and losing teams at the 2019 Africa cup of nations soccer championship.(Frontiers Media, 2022-01-24) Kubayi, Alliance; Larkin, PaulThis study investigated game-related statistics differentiating the winning and losings teams of matches during the 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) soccer tournament. The sample consisted of 38 games, with the data obtained from the InStat Scout platform. Data were analyzed using mean (M), SD, effect size (ES), structure coefficients (SCs), and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The results showed that the winning teams performed significantly better than the losing teams in terms of shots (M = 12.13, SD = 4.67, Z = −2.26, ES = 0.62), shots on target (M = 5.05, SD = 2.54, Z = −4.22, ES = 1.13), and shots from counter-attacks (M = 2.24, SD = 1.42, Z = −2.48, ES = 0.57). Shots on target (SC = 1.22), shots (SC = −0.73), fouls (SC = 0.60), total passes (SC = 0.44), and yellow cards (SC = −0.32) presented the highest discriminatory power. These findings highlight the key match performance variables which influence the game results and may assist coaches in developing and implementing team strategies to improve the likelihood of winning the AFCON championship.Item Position-specific physical and technical demands during the 2019 COPA América Football tournament.(South African Sports Medicine Association (Commercial Publisher), 2021-12-20) Kubayi, A.Background: Despite a substantial body of literature on the physical and technical performance characteristics of football players in Asian and European tournaments, research on South American football players is scarce. Objectives: The purpose of the study was to examine the physical and technical characteristics of football players according to specific playing positions at the 2019 COPA América tournament. Methods: A total of 180 match observations from 13 games were monitored using the InStat tracking system. Players were grouped into the following five playing positions: central defenders (n = 45), wide defenders (n = 46), central midfielders (n = 50), wide midfielders (n = 17), and forwards (n = 22). Results: Descriptive statistics (means ± standard deviations) and the one-way analysis of variance were used to analyse the data. Findings showed that the total distance covered by central midfielders (10 553 ± 763 m) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of central defenders (9226 ± 720 m; effect size (d) = 1.79), wide defenders (9929 ± 633 m; d = 0.89) and forwards (9383 ± 820 m; d = 1.45). Wide midfielders (214 ± 170 m), wide defenders (152 ± 199 m) and forwards (138 ± 94 m) covered greater distances sprinting than central defenders (67 ± 42 m; d = 1.19) and central midfielders (91 ± 66 m; d = 0.95). Concerning technical variables, central midfielders played significantly more passes compared to players in other playing positions (p < 0.05). In relation to crossing, wide defenders completed significantly more crosses than players in other positions (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These findings have direct implications for tailoring tactics so players can meet the physical and technical demands of the game.Item Analysis of crossing opportunities at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.(University of Montenegro (University publisher) and Montenegrin Sports Academy (Society Publisher), 2021-07-07) Mitrotasios, Michalis; Kubayi, Alliance; Armatas, Vasilis; Larkin, PaulThe purpose of this study was to investigate open-play crosses at the 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament, with specific reference to the mechanism and match status of the crosses. Descriptive statistics (i.e., frequency counts and percentages) and chi-square tests of association were used to analyse the data. The study observed a total of 949 crosses, resulting in 20 goals scored (2.1%). Descriptive statistics highlighted that offensive teams had more goal-scoring attempts when they used counter-attacks (18.6%) compared to organized (18.2%) and direct (10.9%) attacks. A greater number of goal-scoring attempts were observed when teams used out-swinging crosses (17.4%) as opposed to in-swinging (15%) and straight (13.5%) crosses. There was a significant (p < 0.05) association between the type of attack and match status. Winning teams preferred to adopt a counter-attacking style of play; losing teams used more direct attacking strategies, and drawing teams utilized more organized attacks. Losing teams took the highest number of crosses from Zones 1 (61.1%) and 2 (56.7%) compared to other zones. These findings provide practical implications for football coaches to tailor match tactics to replicate crossing scenarios at international competitions.Item Match loads of university rugby union players between the 2016 and 2018 Varsity Cup competitions.(South African Sports Medicine Association (SASMA), 2020-07-27) Gordon, G.; Morris-Eyton, H.; Kubayi, A.Background: Rugby union is a popular and continuously growing sport globally. With the advance of technology, practices have been implemented to quantify the match running demands of rugby union players. The aim of this study was to analyse the match loads of rugby union players between the 2016 and 2018 Varsity Cup competitions. Methods: The sample consisted of 562 match observations of male university rugby union players competing in the Varsity Cup tournaments. Results: The backline players ran significantly longer total distances (5105 m; p = 0.001; ES = 0.49); have greater high-speed running (496 m; p = 0.001; ES = 1.03), very high-speed running (260 m; p = 0.001; ES = 1.50) and sprint distances (117 m; p = 0.001; ES = 1.32) than forward players. Backline players also accumulated a high number of metres per minute (238 ± 94; p = 0.001; ES = 0.46), total Player Load (488 ± 203; p = 0.001; ES = 0.31), RHIE (9 ± 8; p = 0.001; ES = 0.75) and number of accelerations (4 ± 5; p = 0.001; ES = 0.49). Conclusion: These findings may assist coaches to develop player position specific training programmes to meet the physical demands of rugby.Item The point prevalence of South African male soccer players’ injuries in the Gauteng province.(South African Sports Medicine Association Commercial Publisher, 2024-01-01) De Wet, K.B.; Ellapen, T.J.; Paul, Y.; Mahlangu, M.P.Background: The ever-evolving game of soccer is a complex physical contact team sport, exposing its participants to injury. Objectives: To identify the point prevalence of soccer injuries among young amateur, semi-professional, and professional South African male soccer players. Methods: The participation of male amateur (n=54), semi-professional (n=34), and professional (n=57) players provided a cross-sectional overview of the nature of the most predominant types and anatomical sites of injuries affecting soccer players (average age 23.9±4.7 years). All participants completed the Fuller soccer injury questionnaire, ISAK somatotype profiling and knee flexion/extension isokinetic concentric peak torque (Nm) evaluations at 60°/s. Results: Fifty per cent of the players sustained soccer injuries (X2=0.9). Knee (20%) and ankle (19%) were the most vulnerable sites (X2=0.00001). Knee-injured players’ right quadriceps torque (199±37 vs 223±38 Nm) and percentage right quadriceps torque relative to body mass (286±54 vs 311±39%) was significantly weaker than the non-injured players (p<0.01). The injured players’ right hamstrings/quadriceps (H/Q) torque ratio further significantly differed from the non-injured players’ H/Q torque ratios (79±17 vs 70±9%) (p<0.01). Conclusion: Male soccer players experience neuro-musculoskeletal injuries, with their knees and ankles being the most vulnerable. Knee-injured players had weaker quadriceps isokinetic strength than non-injured players.Item The consequence of head-loading on the neuromusculoskeletal health of the ILembe district youth of KwaZulu-Natal.(AOSIS, 2022-08-31) Motaung, Tebogo G.; Ellapen, Terry J.; Paul, YvonneBackground: Head-loading, as a mode of transporting food, water and firewood, is a longstanding tradition assigned to female South African youth and has been associated with adverse health consequences. Objectives: This study determined the impact of head-loading on the neuromusculoskeletal health and proprioception of female South African youth. Method: This study comprised a counterbalanced, within-subject, single-factor experimental design which compared the changes that occurred when the same independent variable (head loading) within two homogenous groups was measured in terms of the dependent variables (outcomes: neuromusculoskeletal pain and proprioception) at two time periods, before and after the introduction of the independent variable. A cohort of South African female youth (n = 100), aged 9–17 years, voluntarily partook in the study. The participants were randomly distributed into an experimental (n = 50) and a control (n = 50) group. The experimental group stood in a head-loaded state with their respective habitual head-load mass. Their proprioception measurements were compared during their unloaded versus loaded states, with the proprioceptive measurements including the total proprioception index, the anterior–posterior (front–back) index and the medial–lateral (side-to-side) index. Participants furthermore completed a head-loading health-related questionnaire. Results: Participants had a mean age of 12.3 ± 2.5 years, body mass of 44.4 ± 13.7 kg, stature of 145 ± 10 cm and a head-load mass of 8.0 ± 2.5 kg. Participants had poorer medial–lateral proprioception during head-loading as compared to their unloaded state (1.4 ± 0.8 as compared to 1.6 ± 0.9) (p < 0.05). Most youth (96%) experienced neuromusculoskeletal pain in their cervical vertebrae (40.9%), shoulders (27.3%), lumbar vertebrae (10.7%), arms (8.3%), legs (8.3%), knees (1.9%), fingers (1.5%), toes (0.5%) and thoracic vertebrae (0.5%) (χ2: p < 0.05). Conclusion: Head-loading adversely affects the medial–lateral proprioception and neuromusculoskeletal health of participants. Contribution: The findings of this study confirms that head-loading produces musculoskeletal pain.Item The growth patterns of the medical technology profession in South Africa.(AOSIS, 2020-10-22) Ellapen, Malcolm T.; Ellapen, Terry J.; Paul, YvonneBackground: Constant appraisal of healthcare workforce trends is vital; this measure determines the adequacy of the workforce in meeting its society’s healthcare demands. This includes determining the number of the incoming workforce (students, interns) and the active or practising workforce relevant registries. Objective: This study aimed to examine patterns of workforce growth in the medical technology profession (students, interns and practitioners) from 2008 to 2018 in South Africa. Methods: Student, intern and practitioner medical technology registries, from the 2012/2013, 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) annual reports, were analysed. The number of National Health Laboratory Service and private laboratory posts were secured from the National Health Laboratory Service plan performance report. A comparison between the total number of South African medical technology (private and public) posts occupied versus the HPCSA practitioner 2016 register was completed, to determine the saturation status. Results: Annual student, intern, and practitioner registries indicated a mean growth of 6.8%, 28.9%, and 0.7% from 2008 to 2018. The transition of interns to practitioners is progressively dwindling (2015–2018). The practitioner register showed a 1.2% decline in registration from 2013 until 2018. In 2016, only 55.9% of the HPCSA registered medical technologists were employed (p < 0.001). Conclusion: There are more medical technologists than available public and private sector posts. The progressively growing student register compared to the dwindling practitioner register indicates attrition in the profession. An investigation identifying the reasons why graduates neglect to register as practising medical technologists should be undertaken.Item Evaluation of match-running distances covered by soccer players during the UEFA EURO 2016.(The South African Sports Medicine Association, 2019-08-01) Kubayi, A.Background: Despite a substantial body of literature on match-running distances covered by soccer players in domestic leagues, there appears to be limited information on the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Euro competitions. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse the match-running distances covered by soccer players during the UEFA Euro 2016. Methods: A multiple-camera tracking system (InStat Ltd) was used to analyse 228 observations of soccer players who played 15 full matches during the tournament. The outfield players were categorised according to the following playing positions: central defenders (CDs), n=58; wide defenders (WDs), n=45; central midfielders (CMs), n=53, wide midfielders (WMs), n=38; and attackers (ATs), n=34. Data were reported as means with 95% confidence intervals (CI). A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was undertaken to examine the significant differences among players based on playing positions. Results: The results indicated that the overall total distance covered by players was 10 350 m, ranging from 8 446 m to 12 982 m. ATs covered the longest distance in high-speed running (872 m; 95% CI = 813–931), while CDs covered the shortest distance (542 m; 95% CI = 503–581). A statistically significant difference was observed in high-speed running among players (F (4 223) = 36.92, P=0.001). Conclusion: The findings of this study provide soccer scientists and coaches with important information to design and implement training sessions in order to elucidate the physical demands of players in view of successful team performance.Item Evaluation of match-running distances covered by soccer players during the UEFA EURO 2016.(The South African Sports Medicine Association, 2019-08-22) Kubayi, A.Background: Despite a substantial body of literature on match-running distances covered by soccer players in domestic leagues, there appears to be limited information on the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Euro competitions. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse the match-running distances covered by soccer players during the UEFA Euro 2016. Methods: A multiple-camera tracking system (InStat Ltd) was used to analyse 228 observations of soccer players who played 15 full matches during the tournament. The outfield players were categorised according to the following playing positions: central defenders (CDs), n=58; wide defenders (WDs), n=45; central midfielders (CMs), n=53, wide midfielders (WMs), n=38; and attackers (ATs), n=34. Data were reported as means with 95% confidence intervals (CI). A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was undertaken to examine the significant differences among players based on playing positions. Results: The results indicated that the overall total distance covered by players was 10 350 m, ranging from 8 446 m to 12 982 m. ATs covered the longest distance in high-speed running (872 m; 95% CI = 813-931), while CDs covered the shortest distance (542 m; 95% CI = 503-581). A statistically significant difference was observed in high-speed running among players (F (4 223) = 36.92, P=0.001). Conclusion: The findings of this study provide soccer scientists and coaches with important information to design and implement training sessions in order to elucidate the physical demands of players in view of successful team performance.