Developing, generalizing, and maintaining physical fitness in mentally retarded adults: Toward a self-directed program

The present study evaluated a physical fitness program with external control and self-directed components for use with mildly and moderately retarded adults in a sheltered workshop situation. A multiple-baseline design across three groups was used to assess the effectiveness of this program for producing, generalizing, and maintaining the participant's attendance and use of an exercise program in a nontraining setting. In addition, physical fitness, as measured through a variety of physiological (weight, blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and skinfold) and general performance tests, was systematically evaluated. Moreover, the accuracy of participant self-monitoring and self-reinforcement, two program components, was assessed during the exercise period in the nontraining setting. Results indicated that the subjects could be taught accurate self-monitoring and self-reinforcement, that marked changes in exercise behavior occurred during the treatment and maintenance conditions, and that there were some changes in the other indices of fitness. Issues relating to the efficiency and general acceptability of the program, the contributions of the external and self-directed components of the training package, and the development of future physical fitness programs were discussed.