The purpose of this investigation was to determine the influence of audio (cassette tapes) and audiovisual (music videotapes) reinforcers on motorized bicycle ergometer time-on-task performance of 5 adolescents who were profoundly mentally retarded (PMR). The groups that received audio and audiovisual reinforcers had significantly higher time-on-task performance compared to subjects who received no reinforcement. However, there was no significant difference between audio and audiovisual reinforcers. It was concluded that music and videotapes with music can be effectively used to improve the performance of adolescents who are PMR when riding a stationary motorized bicycle ergometer.

SummaryThe purpose of this study was to examine the self-actualisation of male and female elite wheelchair athletes in comparison to the general population and to able-bodied athletes. All subjects completed the Personal Orientation Inventory (POI), and statistically significant differences were identified. In general, wheelchair athletes were similar to the general population. Male wheelchair athletes were significantly more self-actualised than able-bodied athletes, but female wheelchair athletes were self-actualised to the same extent as able-bodied athletes.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of preferred verbal praise and music reinforcement on improving the soccer kick performances of youths with profound mental retardation (PMR). Subjects (N = 15) were randomly assigned to three groups. Based on visual inspection and the split-middle technique, all three groups (i.e., control, verbal praise, and music reinforcer) improved performances in their kicking accuracy. Comparison of graphed mean data of the three groups, by visual inspection and the split-middle technique, showed that the verbal praise and music reinforcement groups had higher scores than the control group. Visual inspection of 2-week follow-up data revealed that both experimental groups maintained higher scores than the control group. In addition, all of the subjects had the ability to generalize this kicking skill into a physical recreation environment.

6 profoundly mentally retarded youth were provided a 5-wk. stair-climbing program to improve cardiorespiratory fitness behavior. Three subjects were provided verbal plus food reinforcement and the other three received verbal reinforcement during the intervention phase. Based on the visual inspection of the data, both types of reinforcement increased the number of steps taken and exercise time.

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