Biokinetics students from Stellenbosch University's Department of Sport Science had the opportunity to contribute to the recent Cape Town Cycle Tour Expo.
According to Ian Rainsford from the department, the students were involved in conducting various performance and body composition assessments on hundreds of cyclists at the Cape Town Cycle Tour.
"This included a maximum power cycle test, a maximum jump height test and a body composition test including fat percentage. They also had to explain the tests and the working of the equipment. Following the tests the students then had to explain the results to the cyclists in a way that they could understand."
He added that the experience provided the students with the opportunity to work with sport science equipment and they were introduced to the world of performance testing in a relaxed environment. The students also got some experience in providing feedback in easy-to-understand language.
"This builds up confidence in communication and practical skills," he added.
One of the students at the expo was Kayla Greger who worked with the Watt bike (maximum power output) and calculating body composition (fat percentage).
"The watt bike was most definitely the most applicable station for the event, making it the most popular station. We learnt how to test someone as well as how to analyse the data and determine any discrepancies between the left and right leg as well as the difference in percentage of quadriceps and hamstring used with regards to the push-and-pull motion of cycling. When working at the body composition station it was very interesting to see how the equipment worked and how some of the athletes' body fat varied compared to skin fold tests which some of them had done.
"Overall it was a good opportunity to test our knowledge and it was also applicable to our field of study. We had to explain the information gathered from the tests to the various individuals in very simple language in order for them to understand what their results had shown (without using scientific terminology). We also had to explain to a number of athletes various ways to improve their performance. The environment that we worked in was very relaxed and the master's students who were in charge of the equipment were very open to helping us and making us feel more confident."
