Effects of Exercise Frequency on Stereotypic Behaviors of Children with Developmental Disabilities

Abstract

Two exercise treatments were implemented, differentiated by frequency. The single frequency exercise treatment consisted of one daily ten minute walk/jog session, while the multiple frequency treatment involved three ten minute walk/jog sessions per day. Stereotypic behaviors were observed prior to the exercise sessions, as well as immediately following exercise. Subjects demonstrate a mean reduction of 51.6% in the single frequency condition. These data confirm the results of past research following a single bout of exercise. However, these positive results are usually short-lived. Thus, the mean reduction of 58.9% following the multiple frequency condition can be viewed as more effective than the single frequency condition because the reduction was maintained throughout different periods of the day. Use of a multiple frequency exercise treatment informally revealed an interaction between exercise and environment with regard to stereotypic behaviors. Observation in the classroom suggested that as the structure of the classroom increased, stereotypic behaviors decreased. Thus, exercise combined with a structured classroom is likely to yield an optimal decrease in stereotypic behaviors.