Acquisition and Generalization of Physical Fitness Exercises in Three Profoundly Retarded Adults

Abstract

A systematic individual instruction program was employed to teach three profoundly retarded adults selected physical fitness exercises. Measures were taken to determine if the subjects (a) learned the exercises under the individual instruction program, (b) generalized the exercises to a group physical fitness program, and (c) generalized learning the exercises to the point of learning nontrained exercises in the group physical fitness program without additional individual training. Data were also gathered on the maintenance of the exercises in the individual and group settings. Results indicated that the profoundly retarded adults learned the selected exercises and generalized the exercises to a group physical fitness program. Performance on nontrained exercises in the group physical fitness program also improved without additional individual training. The subjects maintained all exercises, trained and nontrained, in both the individual and group settings.