Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Vigorous, aerobic exercise versus general motor training activities: Effects on maladaptive and stereotypic behaviors of adults with both autism and mental retardation

  • Published:
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Examined the effects of antecedent exercise conditions on maladaptive and stereotypic behaviors in 6 adults with both autism and moderate to profound mental retardation. The behaviors were observed in a controlled environment before and after 2 exercise and 1 nonexercise conditions. From the original group of 6 participants, 2 were selected subsequently to participate in aerobic exercise immediately before performing a community-integrated vocational task. Only antecedent aerobic exercise significantly reduced maladaptive and stereotypic behaviors in the controlled setting. Neither of the less vigorous antecedent conditions did. When aerobic exercise preceded the vocational task, similar reductions were observed. There were individual differences in response to antecedent exercise. Use of antecedent aerobic exercise to reduce maladaptive and stereotypic behaviors of adults with both autism and mental retardation is supported.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allen, J. I. (1980). Jogging can modify disruptive behaviors.Teaching Exceptional Children, 12(2), 66–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, E. (1985). A. M. club.Teaching Behaviorally Disordered Youth, 42, 12–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association (1987).Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (3rd. ed., rev.). Washington, DC: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • Azrin, N. H., Kaplan, S. J., & Foxx, R. M. (1973). Autism Reversal: Eliminating stereotyped self-stimulation of retarded individuals.American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 78, 241–248.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baumeister, A. A., & MacLean, Jr., W. E. (1984). Deceleration of self-injurious and stereotypic responding by exercise.Applied Research in Mental Retardation, 5, 385–393.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bass, C. K. (1985). Running can modify classroom behavior.Journal of Learning Disabilities, 18, 160–161.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beasley, C. R. (1982). Effects of a jogging program on cardiovascular fitness and work performance of mentally retarded adults.American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 86, 609–613.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beisser, A. (1970). Modern man in sports. In G. H. Sage (Ed.),Sport in American society. Boston: Addison Wesley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, L. (1983). A module on functional curricula to prepare severely handicapped students for community environments: An overview of educational best practices. In L. M. Voeltz & R. Weatherman (Eds.),A series of professional training modules on the education of severely handicapped learners: An update of educational best practices (pp. 6–160). Minneapolis: University of Minnesota.

    Google Scholar 

  • Butterworth, J. (1989, December).A comparison of ratios of simulation to in vivo training in teaching grocery purchasing to students with severe handicaps. Paper presented at annual meeting of the Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps, San Francisco.

  • Dodson, L. C., & Mullens, W. P. (1969). Some effects of jogging on psychiatric hospital patients.American Corrective Therapy Journal, 23, 130–134.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Donnellan, A., Mesaros, R., & Anderson, J. (1981, July).Teaching students with autism in natural environments: What educators need from researchers. Paper presented at International Symposium on Autism, National Society for Autistic Children, Boston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dyer, K., & Blew, P. A. (1982).The effects of physical exercise on motivation in autistic children. Paper presented at the Association of Behavior Analysis, Milwaukee, WI.

  • Elliott, R., Hall, K., & Soper, H. (1991). Analog language teaching versus natural language teaching: Generalization and retention of language learning for adults with autism and mental retardation.Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 21, 433–447.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Elsom, S. D. (1981). Self-management of hyperactivity: Children's use of jogging. (Doctoral dissertation, Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, 1980).Dissertation Abstracts International, 41, 3176B.

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans, W. H. (1981). The effects on selected classroom behavior of emotionally handicapped adolescents.Dissertation Abstracts International, 41, 2610A.

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans, W. H., Evans, S. S., Schmid, R. E., & Penneypacker, H. S. (1985). The effects of exercise on selected classroom behaviors of behaviorally disordered adolescents.Behavioral Disorders, 11, 42–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fixx, J. F. (1977).The complete book of running. New York: Random House.

    Google Scholar 

  • Folkins, C. H., & Sime, W. E. (1981). Physical fitness and mental health.American Psychologist, 36, 373–389.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gottesleben, R., Tyack, D., & Buschini, G. (1974). Three case studies in language training: Applied linguistics.Journal of Speech and Hearing Disorders, 39, 213–224.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Heinzelman, F., & Bagley, R. W. (1970). Response to physical activity programs and their effects on health behavior.Public Health Report, 85, 905–911.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill, B., & Bruininks, R. H. (1984). Maladaptive behavior of mentally retarded individuals in residential facilities.American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 88, 380–387.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hollandsworth, J. G. (1979). Some thoughts on distance running as training in biofeedback.Journal of Sport Behavior, 2, 71–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoskyns, S. (1982). The right chord.Nursing Mirror, 14–17.

  • Kern, L., Koegel, R. L., & Dunlap, G. (1984). The influence of vigorous versus mild exercise on autistic stereotyped behaviors.Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 14, 57–67.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kern, L., Koegel, R. L., Dyer, K., Blew, P. A., & Fenton, L. R. (1982). The effect of physical exercise on self-stimulation and appropriate responding in autistic children.Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 12, 399–419.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Klein, S. A., & Deffenbacher, J. L. (1977). Relaxation and exercise for hyperactivity impulsive children.Perceptual and Motor Skills, 45, 1159–1162.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Koegel, R. L., & Covert, A. (1972). The relationship of self-stimulation to learning in autistic children.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 5, 381–387.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koegel, R. L., & Johnson, J. (1989). Motivating language use in autistic children. In G. Dawson (Ed.),Autism: Nature, diagnosis, and treatment (pp. 310–325). New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kostrubala, T. (1976).The joy of running. New York: Lippincott.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leiter, R. G. (1969).The Leiter International Performance Scale. Chicago: Stoelting.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lovass, O. I. (1977).The autistic child: Language development through behavior modification. New York: Plenum Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luiselli, J. K., Helfen, C. S., Pemberton, B. W., & Reisman, J. (1977). The elimination of a child's in-class masturbation by overcorrection and reinforcement.Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 8, 201–204.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luther, S. L., & Price, J. H. (1980). Physical fitness: Its role in health for the elderly.Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 6, 517–523.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • MacDonough, T. S., & Forehand, R. (1973). Response-contingent time out: Important parameters in behavior modification with children.Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 4, 231–236.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCann, L. I., & Holmes, D. S. (1984). Influence of aerobic exercise on depression.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 46, 1142–1147.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McGimsey, J. F., & Favell, J. E. (1988). The effects of increased physical exercise on disruptive behavior in retarded persons.Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 18, 167–179.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Morrow, J. R. (1978). The function of age, sex, and body mass on distance running.Research Quarterly, 49, 491–497.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mulac, A., & Tomlinson, C. (1977). Generalization of an operant remediation program for syntax with language-delayed children.Journal of Communication Disorders, 10, 231–244.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Needler, W., & Baer, M. A. (1982). Movement, music, and remotivation with the regressed elderly.Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 8, 497–503.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nunley, R. L. (1965). A physical fitness program.Journal of the American Physical Therapy Association, 45, 946–954.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pappas, G. P., Golin, S., & Meyer, D. L. (1990). Reducing symptoms of depression with exercise.Psychosomatics, 31, 112–113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paxton, F. (1970). The rise of sports. In G. H. Sage (Ed.),Sport in American society. Boston: Addison Wesley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perel, I. (1992). Deinstitutionalization at a large facility: A focus on treatment.Research in Developmental Disabilities, 13, 81–86.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Powell, R. R. (1974). Psychological effect of exercise therapy upon institutionalized geriatric mental patients.Journal of Gerontology, 29, 157–161.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Powers, S., Thibadeau, S., & Rose, K. (1992). Antecedent exercise and its effects on self-stimulation.Behavioral Residential Treatment, 7, 15–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prizant, B. M., & Wetherby, A. M. (1989). Enhancing language and communication in autism. In G. Dawson (Ed.),Autism: Nature, diagnosis, and treatment (pp. 282–309). New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Repp, A. C., & Deitz, S. M. (1974). Reducing aggressive and self-injurious behavior of institutionalized retarded children through reinforcement of other behavior.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 7, 313–325.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rincover, A., Cook, R., Peoples, A., & Packard, D. (1979). Sensory extinction and reinforcement principles for programming multiple adaptive behavior change.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 12, 221–223.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Scheerenberger, R. (1981). Deinstitutionalization: Trends and difficulties. In R. Bruininks, C. Meyers, B. Sigford, & K. Lakin (Eds.),Deinstitutionalization and community adjustment of mentally retarded people (Monograph No. 4, pp. 3–13). Washington, DC: American Association on Mental Deficiency.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slosson, R. L. (1963).The Slosson Intelligence Test for Children and Adults. New York: Slosson Educational Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Solomon, E. G., & Bumpus, A. K. (1978). The running meditation response: An adjunct to psychotherapy.American Journal of Psychotherapy, 32, 583–592.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Van Bourgondien, M., & Mesibov, G. (1989). Diagnosis and treatment of adolescents and adults with autism. In G. Dawson (Ed.),Autism: Nature, diagnosis, and treatment (pp. 367–385). New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wechsler, D. (1981).The Wechsler Intelligence Scale — Revised. New York: Psychological Corp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wehman, P., & Hill, J. (1980). Preparing severely and profoundly handicapped youth to enter less restrictive environments. In P. Wehman & J. Hill (Eds.), Instructional programming for severely handicapped youth: A community integration approach. Richmond: Virginia Commonwealth University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yell, M. L. (1988). The effects of jogging on the rates of selected target behaviors of behaviorally disordered students.Behavior Disorders, 13, 273–279.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, R. J. (1979). The effect of regular exercise on cognitive functioning and personality.British Journal of Sports Medicine, 13, 110–117.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zenter, R. W. (1982). Psychological effects of a running program (Doctoral dissertation, University of Oregon, 1981). Dissertation Abstracts International, 42, 3452A.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Camarillo Developmental Center, USA

    Anjanette R. Dobbin & Gordon D. Rose

  2. Regional Project at Camarillo, Box 6022, 93011, Camarillo, California

    Reed O. Elliott Jr. (Vocational Opportunities Coordinator)

  3. The Fielding Institute and Camarillo State Hospital, USA

    Henry V. Soper

Authors
  1. Reed O. Elliott Jr.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Anjanette R. Dobbin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Gordon D. Rose
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Henry V. Soper
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

The authors acknowledge the important assistance provided by the following people: The staff and management of the Behavior Development and Learning Center at Camarillo State Hospital and Developmental Center directed by Israel Perel, Ellie Kimbauer, Judy Baptista, Kristine Herman, and especially the participants.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Elliott, R.O., Dobbin, A.R., Rose, G.D. et al. Vigorous, aerobic exercise versus general motor training activities: Effects on maladaptive and stereotypic behaviors of adults with both autism and mental retardation. J Autism Dev Disord 24, 565–576 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02172138

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02172138

Keywords

Search

Navigation