The wellness program has evolved in the past five years to assist in the optimal performance of each student athlete. All components included have been set out to promote the wellbeing of the players. The wellness pillar of SS4LS consists of a medical, strengthening and conditioning, nutrition, vision, dentistry, and the internship program.
These components are monitored by the Wellness Manager, Ilona Philander which includes undergraduate sport recreation and exercise sciences students, physiotherapy students, postgraduate students completing their honours (degree) in sports sciences or biokinetics. This not only provides an opportunity for the students to gain practical experience in their field but assists in the development of the student athletes. The Interns can participate and add value to fitness testing, monitoring of workloads, recovery treatment, training, and match day first aid assistance as well as experience the procedure of return-to-play.
The medical department is supported by external Health Care Practitioners who are willing to assist with any treatments. By including a Sports Physician, Orthopedic surgeon, Optometrist, Dentist and Chiropractor, the wellness pillar has strengthened as each Health Care Professional provides the necessary service to enhance the return-to-play protocol. It also allows students to have access to primary Health care in a high-performance setting.
Nutrition has been one of the key departments that has heightened the awareness of the nutritional value of food in each athletes live. As some students live on residence, the need to have healthier eating plans aided in athletes being fueled for training and match days. This is also driven to improve academic participation, by refueling the body correctly to concentrate during classes, exams and completion of tasks. The monthly shopping, individual assessments and monitoring of eating plans has been a valuable aspect managed by the newly appointed Dietitian, Carinne Adams. The monthly shopping which is allocated to bursary holders allows each student a monthly allowance to purchase the necessary food at Pic n Pay. The Dietitian has designed a basic checklist to ensure that each student fills their trolley with well-balanced food groups. Pre and post-match snacks have been implemented this past two years on game days to ensure adequate muscle recovery.
Seeing things clearly has made training and match play more enjoyable as Dr. Spijkerman has assisted players with their visual aids. All newly recruited students are able to go through an eye screening process to determine whether any visual aids are required. Dr. Spijkerman completes a second round of eye tests if required and then assigns a frame or visual aids to players that need it for on or off the field purposes. Certain students have only required visual aids for academic purposes and were assisted to have a clearer view, especially during lectures. This has become an important aspect to look at given that virtual learning has been the main access point of learning.
All wellness concepts have been included in the wellness model to improve the quality of life of each student to enhance the human development index. It aims to therefore not only develop student athletes for the period of time with SS4LS but to evolve everyone to become holistically developed for their future careers as sportswomen, sportsmen or working individuals.
Yours in Sport,
Ilona
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