Research
Physical Activity Programs With Special Populations: Psychological and Academic Achievement Implications
Debbie Crews & Marc Lochbaum Arizona State University
Overview
Goals of 8-year Research/Service Program: To determine the psychological and academic benefits received by special populations. To gain insight to the theories and mechanisms related to psychological and academic changes by examining special populations. To determine the beneficial effects of acute and chronic physical activity. To determine the most beneficial mode of physical activity for different special populations. To provide guidelines for classroom interventions.
Past and Current Programs
- Physical activities
- Horseback riding
- Weight training
- Cycling
- Basketball
- Sport skills (racquetball & tennis)
- Golf
Populations Served
- Autistic
- Attention deficit disorder
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Emotionally disturbed
- Low income, at-risk
- Hispanic
- Native American
Variables of Interest
Psychological: Anxiety, depression, self-esteem, positive/negative affect
Perceptual-motor: Anticipation Time, reaction time, movement time
Academic: Grades, timed math ability
Research Basis for the Programs
Exercise psychology literature: Fitness and mental health, stress reactivity, cognition, body image and self-esteem, motivation
Series of experiments: Identify valid and reliable inventories, establish testing protocols, establish appropriate controls, offer incentives for participation, summarize group results and individual differences
Results
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Eight-week Horseback Riding Program
Emotionally Disturbed: Acute (10 min) Interventions
Emotionally Disturbed: Eight-week Weight Training Program
Emotionally Disturbed: Eight-week Sport Programs
Comparison of Grade Point Point Averages, Depression, and Aerobic Fitness Group by Time
Program Success
- Interns and student assistants: ASU & UNCG, modeling
- Instructor support
- Creative activities: Trampolines
- Incentives: Charts, pictures, etc.
- Organization
- Programs, rotation of participants
- Professionalism
Summary
- Autism: Horseback riding and weight training increased self-esteem and anxiety
- AD/HD: Horseback riding and aerobic exercise increased EEG, RT/MT, self-esteem, and affect while decreasing anxiety
- ED: Horseback riding increases affect
- Low Income/Hispanic: Aerobic Exercise increases grades and self esteem while decreasing depression
- Native Americans: Horseback Riding and golf
