Using Timers and Lap Counters to Promote Self-Management of Independent Exercise in Adolescents with Mental Retardation

Abstract

People with mental retardation may be more likely to engage in regular exercise if they are trained to self-manage their exercise routines. This report describes an effort to teach students with moderate and severe mental retardation to exercise for a prescribed period of time or distance. These students used a digital kitchen timer and an adapted lap counter to cue task performance during independent exercise sessions. Students learned to walk on an electronic treadmill until the timer sounded or to walk a prescribed number of laps within the school building. These results are discussed with regard to comprehensive self-managed exercise programs for this population, as well as to other tasks requiring time management.