An exploration of the influence of educational placement on the community recreation and leisure patterns of children with developmental disabilities.

This study explored the recreation and leisure patterns of children with moderate to severe developmental disabilities, 28 parents of children labeled "trainable mentally handicapped" were questioned about the type of sport, exercise, and social activities their children participated in as well as about the opportunities for social inclusion with nondisabled peers that these activities afforded their children. Analyses indicated that most of the children participated in segregated recreation and leisure activities. However, after adjusting for age, an analysis of covariance showed that children placed in more socially integrated educational settings participated in significantly more inclusive recreational activities than children who were served in segregated educational settings.

Change in control orientation of physical education majors after an adapted physical education practicum.

This study examined changes in ideas about control of pupils of 32 majors in physical education after exposure to students with disabilities in an adapted physical education practicum. No control group was included. Analysis indicated subjects were significantly more custodial after the practicum.

Effects of massed versus distributed practice on gross and fine motor proficiency of educable mentally handicapped adolescents.

Gross and fine motor proficiency were studied in a sample of 52 educable mentally handicapped students (M = 15.8 yr.), half of whom were assigned to 15 30-sec. trials, a relatively massed practice schedule with 5 sec. between trials, and half to a distributed practice schedule with 30-sec. rests. 5 trials were given 24 hr. later. All subjects performed the stabilometer balance task to measure gross motor proficiency and a 45-rpm pursuit rotor task to measure fine motor proficiency. No significant differences with regard to the practice schedule used early in learning were found, however, boys scored significantly higher on the pursuit rotor than girls.

Effects of flexibility training on enhancing spinal mobility in older women.

The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which spinal flexion and extension, or spinal mobility, could be improved in a population of older adults participating in a 10 week flexibility training program. Twenty female volunteers, mean age 71.8, were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (flexibility training) or the control group (no training). Prior to the initiation of training, all subjects were tested for total spinal mobility, the combined sum of spinal flexion and extension. Subjects in the experimental group were exposed to a series of flexibility exercises, three times per week, for 20-30 minutes in duration, for a total of 10 weeks. The control group participated in an alternative exercise program with the experimental group, including walking, swimming, dance, and other locomotor activities, however, they did not receive the additional flexibility training. At the conclusion of the 10 week period, all subjects were retested for spinal mobility, using back flexion and extension measures. Results indicated a significant improvement in spinal mobility in the experimental group, and virtually no measurable change in the control group. This study suggests that specialized training in back flexibility for older adults is warranted, and that significant gains in spinal mobility can be obtained, regardless of age.

Effects of Florida's Personal Fitness Course on cognitive, attitudinal and physical fitness measures of secondary students: a pilot study.

The effects of Florida's Personal Fitness Course were studied on 60 secondary students' cognitive achievement, physical fitness, and attitude toward physical activity. Significant improvement in knowledge of fitness concepts, selected physical fitness parameters, and over-all attitude toward participation in physical activity suggests the course was effective.

Comparison of hand preference in trainable mentally handicapped and nonhandicapped children.

Hand preference was compared in 22 trainable mentally handicapped and 22 nonhandicapped children (Mage 78.00 mo.). Significant differences were found, showing the nonhandicapped group had a stronger preference when presented 10 hand-choice items from The Harris Tests of Lateral Dominance. In addition, stronger lefthandedness characterized the handicapped group, supporting previous research.

Comparison of selected gait parameters of trainable mentally retarded and nonretarded males.

Although there were no significant differences in the single support phase of gait for 6 trainable mentally retarded boys (Mean age 9.6 yr.) and 6 nonretarded boys (Mean age 9.5 yr.), total gait time and time in double support were significantly different for the two groups, supporting previous research which showed gait was was deficient in trainable mentally retarded individuals.

Comparison of static balance in trainable mentally handicapped and nonhandicapped children.

While for 31 trainable mentally handicapped children and for 31 nonhandicapped (Mage 91.56 mo.), there were no differences in static balance on left or right legs, total balance time was significantly different between the two groups, confirming prior work which related motor proficiency to intelligence. The normal group showed significant positive correlations among height, weight, age, and measures of static balance but only age was not correlated with balance for the handicapped group.