Abstract
The low frequency but highly intense disruptive behavior of 10 institutionalized mentally retarded persons was treated by providing them with opportunities for vigorous exercise. In two experiments, severely aggressive and hyperactive clients were exposed to two daily periods of jogging and strenuous activities in multiple baseline designs across clients. Rating scale data collected daily from cottage and school personnel indicated a systematic reduction in problem behavior for 8 of the 10 participants to levels considered “not a problem” or only “an occasional problem”. Physical exercise may offer promise as an effective, benign, and practical adjunct to other treatment and management techniques.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Allen, J. I. (1980). Jogging can modify disruptive behaviors.Teaching Exceptional Children, 12, 66–70.
Bachman, J. E., & Fuqua, R. W. (1983). Management of inappropriate behaviors of trainable mentally impaired students using antecedent exercise.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 16, 477–484.
Bostow, D. E., & Bailey, J. B. (1969). Modification of severe disruptive and aggressive behavior using brief timeout and reinforcement procedures.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 2, 31–37.
Foxx, R. M., & Azrin, N. H. (1972). Restitution: A method of eliminating aggressive-disruptive behavior of retarded and brain damaged patients.Behavior Research and Therapy, 10, 15–27.
Foxx, R. M., & Shapiro, S. T. (1978). The timeout ribbon: A nonexclusionary timeout procedure.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 11, 125–136.
Frazier, J. R., & Schneider, H. (1975). Parental management of inappropriate hyperactivity in a young retarded child.Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 6, 246–247.
Hamilton, H., Stephens, L., & Allen, L. (1967). Controlling aggressive and destructive behavior in severely retarded institutionalized residents.American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 71, 852–856.
Hill, B., & Bruininks, R. H. (1984). Maladaptive behavior of mentally retarded individuals in residential facilities.American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 88, 380–387.
Kern, L., Koegel, R. L., Dyer, K., Blew, P. A., & Fenton, L. R. (1982). The effects of physical exercise on self-stimulation and appropriate responding in autistic children.Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 12, 399–419.
Repp, A. C., & Deitz, S. M. (1974). Reducing aggressive and self-injurious behavior of institutionalized retarded children through reinforcement of other behaviors.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 7, 313–325.
Tomporowski, P. D., & Ellis, N. R. (1984). Effects of exercise on the physical fitness, intelligence, and adaptive behavior of institutionalized mentally retarded adults.Applied Research in Mental Retardation, 5, 303–311.
Twardosz, S., & Sajwaj, T. (1972). Multiple effects of a procedure to increase sitting in a hyperactive, retarded boy.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 5, 73–78.
Watters, R. G., & Watters, W. E. (1980). Decreasing self-stimulatory behavior with physical exercise in a group of autistic boys.Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 10, 379–387.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
The authors thank Susan Dancy, Betsy Silverman, and Debra Mobley for their untiring assistance in conducting the study, and Western Carolina Center Staff who served as raters. As always, meda Smith's preparation of the manuscript, the comment of Jim Favell and the WCC psychology staff, and the general support of the Western Carolina Center administration were vital and greatly appreciated.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
McGimsey, J.F., Favell, J.E. The effects of increased physical exercise on disruptive behavior in retarded persons. J Autism Dev Disord 18, 167–179 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02211944
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02211944