Citation

Dykens EM, Rosner BA, Butterbaugh G. Child Adolesc. Psychiatr. Clin. N. Am. 1998; 7(4): 757-71, viii.

Affiliation

Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

9894040

Abstract

This article reviews findings to date on the effects of exercise and sports in children and adolescents with developmental disabilities. Although much work remains, exercise and sports are associated with reduced maladaptive behavior in children with disabilities, as well as with improved physical fitness, self-esteem, and social competence. Improved physical and psychosocial functioning are found in studies of both children and adults with mental retardation, as well as in research on athletes enrolled in Special Olympics International, the largest recreational sport program in the world for persons with developmental disabilities. The review ends with recommendations for promoting recreation and sports in children and adolescents with disabilities.

Language: en