David M. Compton

Exercise and Fitness for Persons with Disabilities

SummaryOver the past decade greater attention has been focused on the role of exercise and fitness for persons with disabilities. Increased involvement in exercise programmes, competitive sports and fitness activities has led to further inquiry into the broader concepts of performance, prevention of further deterioration of a given disability, maintenance for activities of daily living, and overall well-being. This paper reviews the literature on 3 categories of disabilities, mental retardation, mental illness and selected physical disabilities, in order to determine the role of exercise and fitness programmes in each. Despite problems in research design, sampling procedures, instrument validity, and delineation of fitness components, there is growing support for the premise that physical exercise has a role to play in breaking the debilitative cycle. Although the research indicates that physical activity can serve as a potential non-pharmacological adjunct therapy for persons with physical disabilities, there is still a need for well-controlled studies to quantify the individualisation of exercise programming.

Campus Recreation Participation, Health, and Quality of Life

This study investigated the relationship between frequency of participation in campus recreation services and six indicators of health and quality of life. The study involved a secondary analysis from a survey of a random sample of 342 students from a Western University. Health and quality of life measures included satisfaction with life, satisfaction with how time is spent, satisfaction with students’ experience at the sponsoring university, the amount of energy, the extent to which emotional health interfered with social functioning, and the extent to which physical health interfered with social functioning. Multivariate and follow-up univariate analysis of variance tests revealed a significant relationship between frequency of participation and four of the six measures of health and quality of life. Patterns of means revealed that students with greater levels of participation had higher scores on the health and quality of life measures. Effect sizes were, however, small. The researchers recommend that the study be followed up by an experimental protocol using the benefits-based programming model in order to attempt to achieve stronger effect sizes.

Creating opportunities and ensuring access to leisure and recreation services through inclusion in the global community.

Abstract There is no greater challenge to the global community than to optimize opportunities for all persons. Integral to creating opportunities is the necessity of assuring access and inclusion of all persons to education, health care, employment, recreation, and leisure services. Ericsson (2001) and Cross (1999) have suggested that we are not seeking to integrate our populations into society, but rather to create conditions wherein one can be included in the mainstream or fabric of society. This requires different ideological, political, and strategic policy formulation than currently exists. We can no longer remain focused on physical solutions to address the broad socio-political needs of a diverse society. It is incumbent upon those who will forge policy, law, and rule to become sensitive to the needs of individuals and their families as we craft a vision of full inclusion, which also includes social inclusion. We must vigorously advance the importance of involvement of all people in socal, recreation, cultura, sport, outdoor, and leisure pursuits. This paper advances the proposition that the global community must improve quality of life through the provision of inclusive recreation services, advancement of full social integration, and creation of broad based leisure opportunities for all.

Effect of unified sport on maladaptive behaviors among Special Olympics athletes.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of participating in a Unified Bowling program on maladaptive behaviors among Special Olympics athletes. Athletes aged 11 to 68 years with a mean age of 32 years (

Motivations of ethnic minorities who volunteer in programs that target under-served youth.

n=40), participated in a 12-week Unified Bowling program. A comparison group of individuals aged 16 to 68 years with a mean age of 34 years (

Project-Based Learning in a Public Park and Recreation Agency: Multidimensional Approaches to University Student Learning

n=40), was matched on demographic variables and was instructed not to participate in any socially inclusive recreation program during the 12-week study. The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) was administered to parents before, immediately following, and 18 months after the 12-week study. A measure of maladaptive behaviors was derived from responses to the CBCL. Separate 2 (Group) x 3 (Time) repeated measures MÁNOVA was computed on internal and external maladaptive behaviors. Results revealed a significant multivariate interaction effect of Group x Time. Univariate contrasts to determine the significance of internal and external maladaptive behaviors over time were also computed. Results showed that the treatment group reported significantly lower internalizing and externalizing scores over time. Implications for practice and recommendations for future research are discussed.

PETER A. WITT: Portrait of a Scholar, Advocate, and Administrator

Abstract Project GAIN (Golf: Accessible and Inclusive Networks) is a theory-based curriculum developed to promote an active life-style and inclusion of individuals with disabilities by enhancing their self-efficacy through golf. Over a 5-year period (2004–2008), 814 participants with and without disabilities from six cities across the USA formally enrolled in Project GAIN. Mentors were used to increase lesson participation, engagement between lessons, and inclusion in golf-related activities. For this study, data from 327 individuals with disabilities and 295 mentors with and without disabilities were used for analysis purposes. Data included measures of perceived self-efficacy in golf, future plans in golf, and a weekly log of golf-related activities. Paired-samples t-tests and repeated measures ANOVA were utilized to examine the effects of Project GAIN on participants’ intention to participate and actual participation in golf-related activities. Results indicated that both study groups (individuals with disabilities and mentors) significantly increased their self-efficacy in golf as well as their intention to play golf in future. Significant increases in golf-related activity were reported in weekly logs over the 5 weeks of data collection. Bonferroni post hoc tests were employed to examine mean differences between weekly observations. Significant mean differences between weeks 1 and 3, and 1 and 5 were found. The Project GAIN curriculum successfully contributed to improving participants’ belief that they could play golf. The study findings support the effectiveness of Project GAIN in increasing golf-related activities that may lead to increased inclusion and physical activity.

The inclusion quandary: Creating full inclusion through recreation activity and evident social structures for people with disabilities

Abstract Children from ethnic minorities constitute a large percentage of those participating in programs targeted toward under-served youth populations. The incorporation of volunteers from ethnic minorities in these programs is an important strategy both to increase cultural sensitivity throughout the programs and to set up role models in leadership positions. However, recruiting and retaining volunteers from ethnic minorities to participate in leadership roles has historically been a challenge. Although there appear to be intuitive reasons for this lack of involvement, no empirical evidence has been uncovered for effective strategies for increasing involvement. In addition, current recruitment efforts to secure volunteers from ethnic minority groups tend to avoid an examination of the motivations for volunteering. The purpose of this study was to explore the motivations of persons from ethnic minorities for volunteering in programs targeted toward under-served youth populations. Qualitative information was gathered about the motivations for volunteering. Information was collected from professionals who serve youth populations or persons who advocate for ethnic minority groups through seven distinct focus groups. Through this focus group study, a foundation was developed to advance a set of recruitment and retention strategies for volunteers. In addition, data were gathered that can assist professional staff in designing, implementing and evaluating their volunteer programs. The initiation of this project has spawned numerous local efforts to investigate motivations related to agencies that will be working with volunteers from ethnically diverse backgrounds.