Date of Award
1-1-1987
Document Type
Practicum
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Center for the Advancement of Education
Advisor
Dr. Joan Horn
Keywords
adaptive physical education, circuit training, exercise program, fitness training methods, interval training, paraprofessional, physical education, physical fitness training, posttest, pretest, systematic exercise, trainable mentally handicapped, volunteers
Abstract
This practicum exposes middle school age trainable mentally handicapped students to an exercise program designed to improve their overall level of physical fitness. Fifteen students participated in the study conducted by a physical education teacher, a paraprofessional assigned to the teacher, and University c1f Florida student volunteers.
The Motor Fitness Test For The Moderately Mentally Retarded (1976) was used as a pretest and posttest to ascertain progress or lack of progress of students participating in the ten week fitness training program. Conclusions of the practicum were as follows:
1. Middle school age trainable mentally handicapped students exposed to a systematic program of exercise showed marked improvement in their overall l level of physical fitness.
2. Middle school age trainable mentally handicapped students exposed to a circuit method of training made greater gains in overall fitness than those exposed to an interval method of training.