The aim of the study was to evaluate data on behavioural indicators in relation to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)/Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) prevention and occurrence in a rural youth population in South Africa. A representative community sample of youth using a three-stage cluster sampling method was chosen for a household survey, and qualitative data were obtained from the youths using ten focus group discussions. The survey sample included 421 youths: 189 (44.9%) male, and 232 (55.1%) female, whose ages ranged from 15 to 24 years (M=20.8 years, SD=3.6). The questionnaire included 71 items on HIV/AIDS/STD related knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviours. Results indicated a mean HIV/AIDS knowledge score of 7.11 (range 0-9) indicating a moderately adequate knowledge. HIV/AIDS knowledge was associated with more consistent condom use, and with a more supportive attitude towards persons with HIV or AIDS. At first sexual intercourse, 19.4% of the sexually active youth had used a condom, whereas 80.6% had not, 41.4% men and 25.3% women admitted they had more than one sexual partner other than commercial partner (partner with whom you had sex in exchange for money) in the last 12 months. A large group of the women (47.6%) and men (32.7%) participants indicated that they never used a condom with their non-commercial partner during the past 12 months. Among the sexually active youth 18% of the men and 13.4% of women had had sex with a commercial partner in the last 12 months. Among female youth 15.2% reported to have become victims of forceful sex during the last 12 months. For youth the major reasons for not using a condom with a non-commercial partner were 'not available', followed by 'did not like them', 'did not think of it', 'other' (mainly trust in partner), and 'partner objected'. There was a high incidence of self-reported genital discharge/ulcer/sore within the last 12 months among sexually active youths (12% in males and 5.2% in females). Findings are discussed in relation to implications for health education.
Key words: HIV/AIDS/STD knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, behaviour, rural youth, South Africa.


2. MODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS OF CORONARY HEART DISEASE IN MALE FIRST TIME ENTRANTS TO A HEALTH AND FITNESS CENTRE IN SOUTH AFRICA
Marius F. Coetsee
The objective of the study was to draw up a profile of modifiable risk factors among male first time entrants to a health and fitness centre. Data for 257 males with mean age of 31 years were documented between 1999 and 2001. All assessments were done at the Empangeni Health and Fitness Centre. The following parameters were recorded: personal details, health status, smoking habits, mass, height, body composition, blood pressure, total cholesterol, physical working capacity and predicted aerobic capacity. The majority of subjects (50.9 %) displayed two or more, 27.3 % three or more and 8.2 % four or more, risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD). Of the 253 subjects tested 43.2 % were inactive before they joined the health and fitness centre. Smoking ³ 10 cigarettes per day was prevalent in 19.2 % of subjects. At risk due to obesity (body fat >20 %) was prevalent in 45.9 % of subjects and 36.2 % had a BMI of >27.8 kg.m-2. Elevated cholesterol (>5.2 mmol.l-1) was found in 51.1 % of the subjects. Hypertension (systolic >140 mmHg and/or diastolic >90 mmHg) were prevalent in 16.1 % of subjects. It is clear that much room for improvement in the modifiable risk factors exists in the subjects. The findings have important implications for health and fitness providers in planning preventive strategies.
Key words: Modifiable CHD risk factors, exercise, health and fitness, males.
3. EFFECTS OF 8 WEEKS JOGGING PROGRAMME ON BODY FAT IN UNTRAINED WOMEN
Danladi I. Musa.
This study was designed to measure the effects of 8 weeks continuous jogging programme on abdominal fat and total adiposity in 27 untrained female undergraduate students aged 21- 39 years. Subjects were randomly assigned to a control group (n = 13) and a continuous jogging group (n = 14). Subjects in the experimental group jogged 3.2 km three times a week for 8 weeks at an intensity of 80% of their age predicted maximal heart rate. Abdominal fat and total fat mass (TFM) were estimated before and after the training programme. Results indicated no significant (p > 0.05) training effect on abdominal fat but a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in TFM was observed. It was concluded that exercise training of 8-week duration may have significant impact on reduction of total adiposity but not abdominal fat in non athletic women.
Key words: Aerobic training, visceral fat, total adiposity, untrained women.

4. PREVALENCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF MUSCLE-IMBALANCE IN THE HUMAN BODY: A REVIEW
J.M. Loots, Maureen Loots and B.J.M. Steyn
For more than a century it has been recognized that variations from normal in the anatomy and biomechanics of man may have a practical bearing on medical problems. In this paper an aspect of this kind of deviation namely muscle-imbalance, is reviewed. Muscle-imbalance could be defined as a specific movement dysfunction, which manifests itself in muscles that tend to become tight, or short and hypertonic and are readily activated in most movement patterns. Other muscles react by inhibition, inhibition atrophy and weakness. Muscle groups can functionally be divided into muscles prone to tightness and those prone to weakness. The phenomenon of muscle imbalance is pandemic, and may contribute to problems such as poor posture, low back pain. Significant is the fact that muscle imbalance may influence the motor patterning process.
Key words: Muscle imbalance, low back pain, posture, malposture, withdrawal response.


5. AN ANALYSIS OF THE FITNESS DEMANDS AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NORMS FOR U-21 SOUTH AFRICAN PROVINCIAL RUGBY PLAYERS
Yoga Coopoo and Amerson N. Govender
Most sports loving countries in the world value test and measurements in sport science as the primary route to success in any code of sport. Empirical studies in sport, in the field of fitness evaluation, impact on coaching and development through the application of anthropometrical and physiological testing. This study was aimed at obtaining data on fitness levels of the U-21 South African provincial rugby players so that normative tables could be compiled for the forwards, backs and combined team. This study also provides an insight into the fitness demands of U-21 provincial rugby players on the basis of the two major playing units in a rugby game, namely the forwards and the backs. The test battery evaluated body composition, flexibility, explosive strength, dynamic strength, cardio-respiratory endurance, anaerobic capacity and agility at the beginning of a season. Data from one hundred and twelve players were categorized in three groups: forwards (57), backs (55) and the combined team (112). Means and standard deviations were computed for all tests. The t-test was applied to the means of both the forwards and backs for each test to establish the level of difference. Normative tables have been established for the forwards, backs and the combined team. No significant difference was found between backs, and forwards, except percent body fat, lean body mass and grip strength (p£ 0.05). The fitness demands for backs and forwards appear to be similar suggesting that a single set of norms will suffice for the whole team. The comparison of the two sets of norms for three similar tests indicate that the U-21 provincial norms compare favourably with senior club norms. The implications of the findings on a descriptive basis indicate that the U-21 provincial player is physiologically ready to participate at senior level. With careful guidance and mentoring, and of course, effective training,, the potential lies for participation at national level.
Key words: Field testing, fitness, norms, rugby players.

6. LEISURE-TIME PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: PREVALENCE AND PSYCHOSOCIAL CORRELATES IN A SAMPLE OF BLACK SOUTH AFRICAN YOUTH
Karl Peltzer
This study investigated the prevalence and psychosocial correlates of leisure-time physical exercise among South African university students. The sample included 793 Black university students from non-health courses, chosen at random from the University of the North, South Africa. The students were 370 (46.7%) males and 423 (53.3%) females in the age range of 18 to 25 years (M age 21.0 years, SD=3.48). Results indicated that the prevalence of leisure time physical exercise in the two weeks prior to the study was 58.3% in men and 39.1% in women (p