B.J.M. Steyn

Psychological skills and mindfulness training effects on the psychological wellbeing of undergraduate music students: An exploratory study

This study explored the efficacy of psychological skills and mindfulness training intervention on the psychological wellbeing of undergraduate music students. Participants were undergraduate music students (n = 36) from the Department of Music at a South African university, 21 of whom were elected to take the psychological skills and mindfulness training intervention. Data on their self-reported psychological wellbeing, psychological skills, mindfulness and performance anxiety levels were collected pre-and post-intervention. The analysis applied non-parametric procedures to determine changes in students’ psychological wellbeing after the seven-week intervention programme. Findings suggest improvements in psychological wellbeing, psychological skills, mindfulness and performance anxiety with training. Psychological skills and mindfulness training may have benefits to the psychological wellbeing of music students.

Doping in sport: Attitudes, beliefs and knowledge of competitive high school athletes in Gauteng Province

Objective. To determine the attitudes, beliefs and knowledge of talented young athletes residing in Gauteng regarding prohibited performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) and anti-doping rules and regulations. Methods. This was a survey study using a quantitative research approach. South African TuksSport academy athletes at the High Performance Centre, University of Pretoria, and competitive high-school athletes at four private high schools in Gauteng completed the survey. A selfdetermined, structured questionnaire was used to establish the attitudes, beliefs and knowledge of the athletes. Results. A total of 346 (208 males, 138 females) athletes, mean (standard deviation) age 16.9 (1.4) years participated in the survey. According to this survey, 3.9% of the athletes in this survey admitted to using a prohibited PED and more than 14.0% of the athletes said they would consider using a prohibited PED if they knew they would not get caught. Ambition (46.0%) and emotional pressure (22.5%) were the primary reasons why the athletes would consider using prohibited PEDs. Even though coaches appeared to be one of the main sources of information (on PEDs and anti-doping rules), only 42.1% of the athletes felt that they were well informed. Conclusion. Controlling doping by means of testing is important. However, it may be necessary to put more emphasis on changing attitudes towards doping and implementing additional educational programmes.

Time Domain Simulation Of Variable FrequencyDrive Locomotives For ElectromagneticCompatibility Assessment Purposes

Failure mode effects and criticality analysis performed on signalling systems forms a major input into the safety case for a particular signalling system. With the introduction of variable speed drive locomotives without fail-safe interference monitors the principle of FMECA had to be extended to the locomotive power electronics and associated control circuits. Therefore, time domain simulation models were developed and used during the FMECA process. After the simulation models are calibrated by experimental results, it can be used very cost effectively to determine the effect of failure modes and transient conditions. The models developed for a current fed inverter drive locomotive will be discussed together with measurement results used for calibration. Examples of simulation results obtained with the models, together with signal equipment susceptibility limits, are used to demonstrate the use of these simulation models in the FMECA.

Exploratory study of mindfulness in modern-day sport psychology consulting relationships

This study explored sport psychology practitioners’ mindfulness in relation to the quality of consulting relationships and value within contemporary practice. A total of 34 sport psychology practitioners from South Africa (n = 22, females = 41%) and the United Kingdom (n = 12, females = 25%) (Private practice = 68%; 15+ years’ experience = 44%) participated in this study. Data were gathered, using the Five Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ-SF), Working Alliance Inventory Short-Revised Form (WAI-SRT), and interviews. Spearman’s rank order correlation and thematic content analyses were employed to analyse the data. Higher levels of practitioners’ mindfulness were associated with superior consulting relationships. Specifically, positive correlations were observed between mindfulness attributes of observing, describing, non-reacting ability, and quality of the therapeutic bond, agreement on goals, and agreement on goals and tasks with clients respectively. Thematic analysis suggested mindfulness to facilitate accurate attending to present-moment experiences, and empathetic understanding of clients’ unique needs.

Mindfulness : a foothold for Rogers's humanistic person-centred approach

This article probed and contextualised the strong parallels between meditation derived mindfulness and Rogerss humanistic person-centred (PC) approach. This was done through a conceptual and evaluative literature review of the PC framework in relation to definitive descriptions of mindfulness. Elements of mindfulness within the core conditions of PC therapy were explored and verified. Quotations, pragmatic, behavioural descriptions and explications provided evidence of a shared ideology inherent in both concepts via “way of being”. The findings suggested that mindfulness cultivates, harmonises and deepens essential therapist qualities in PC therapy. This review article could supply a rationale for significant inferences in the implementation of meditation-inspired activities in the practical preparation of trainee therapists as well as optimising proficiency and refinement in professional practice.

A Systems Approach To Solve The Locomotive AndSignalling EMC Problem

Much has been published on the locomotive and signalling system electromagnetic compatibility problem over the past decade and many solutions has been proposed. The problem can however only be solved optimally if a systems approach is taken. With this approach the railway system is viewed from a level where the locomotive and the signalling are components. The procedure described here starts by defining an acceptable risk for the railway system and then these requirements are allocated to individual components of the railway system, in a top down fashion. In order to ensure conformance to the allocated risk requirements, tests are performed under normal operating conditions and a failure mode effects and criticality analysis (FMECA) is performed for failure conditions, for each of the subsystems. Apart from the description of the procedure and its correlation with the draft CENELEC standard, practical results on tests and simulation are also presented.

Elektromagnetiese modelle vir elektriese spoorbaanstelsels

The use of electromagnetic models is very expedient when railway track circuits are designed or when their operation is being studied. These electromagnetic models include models for performance analysis of the different types of track circuits as well as models used to study the effect of electromagnetic interference. Before these models can produce useful results they all require accurate input parameters. These parameters include the transmission line parameters of the track and the traction current distribution along the length of the track. Models that have been developed for these parameters are presented in this paper, together with an overview of the available track circuit models.