The effects of increased physical exercise on disruptive behavior in retarded persons

The low frequency but highly intense disruptive behavior of 10 institutionalized mentally retarded persons was treated by providing them with opportunities for vigorous exercise. In two experiments, severely aggressive and hyperactive clients were exposed to two daily periods of jogging and strenuous activities in multiple baseline designs across clients. Rating scale data collected daily from cottage and school personnel indicated a systematic reduction in problem behavior for 8 of the 10 participants to levels considered "not a problem" or only "an occasional problem." Physical exercise may offer promise as an effective, benign, and practical adjunct to other treatment and management techniques.