Matching Items (13)
Description
This study examines the effectiveness of two modes of exercise on self-efficacy (SE) in adolescents with Down syndrome (DS). Thirty-nine participants were randomly divided into a voluntary cycling group (VC) (i.e., self-selected cadence), an assisted cycling group (ACT) (i.e., at least 30% faster than self-selected cadence accomplished by a motor), or a no exercise group (NC). In each cycling intervention the participant completed 30 minute cycling sessions, three times per week for a total of eight weeks. Two subsets of the Physical Activity and Self Efficacy Survey were administered prior to cycling (i.e., pretest) and after the eight week intervention (i.e., post-test). The results were consistent with the hypothesis that self-efficacy would improve after ACT, however there was not improvement after the VC condition as hypothesized. It was also hypothesized that exercise perception would improve following the ACT intervention; execise perception showed a trend of improvement after ACT, but the data did not reach significance. Limitations include the wide variability of the DS population. This limitation is responsible for the variation in mental age seen in the intervention groups and could be responsible for the non-significance of the exercise perception data. To generalize our results for parents, therapists, teachers, etc., our recommendation is for persons with DS to participate in physical activity that is easy for them at first \u2014 a simplified sport or active game, assisted cycling, brisk walking \u2014 so that they have a positive experience with exercise. Showing individuals with DS that they can be proficient exercisers will likely improve their self-efficacy and motivate them to engage in more PA over time. In conclusion, eight weeks of moderate ACT exercise demonstrated a significant trend for improved self-efficacy in adolescents with DS.
ContributorsWallace, Kellie Carter (Author) / Ringenbach, Shannon (Thesis director) / Youngstedt, Shawn (Committee member) / Hoffner, Kristin (Committee member) / School of Nutrition and Health Promotion (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2015-12
Description
The purpose of the study was to examine the effectiveness of two modes of exercise on the lower body strength and aerobic capacity in adults with Down syndrome (DS). Six participants randomly completed one of two exercise interventions: 1) Voluntary Cycling (VC), where participants cycled at their self-selected pedaling rate and 2) Assisted Cycling Therapy (ACT), where the participants' voluntary pedaling rates were augmented by 35% with a motor. In each intervention, the participant completed three, 30-minute cycling sessions each week for a total of eight weeks. The Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) was used to evaluate the distance each participant was able to complete in six minutes before and after the intervention. There was a significant increase in the distance and velocity of the participants after the intervention with a greater mean improvement for participants in the ACT group than VC when analyzing total score and t-score. Future research will include a greater sample size and control group to reach significant results as well as try and reveal the mechanisms involved in these physical health improvements found after an acute bout of assisted cycling in adults with DS.
ContributorsGanger, Rachel O (Author) / Ringenbach, Shannon (Thesis director) / Der Ananian, Cheryl (Committee member) / School of Nutrition and Health Promotion (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2015-12
Description
The intergroup contact theory purports positive effects of intergroup contact on both implicit and explicit attitudes. Implicit attitudes refer to the lack of awareness of the attitude, whereas explicit attitudes are conscious to each individual. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of direct interaction with people with intellectual disabilities on both the conscious and unconscious attitudes of college students without intellectual disabilities. The intergroup contact was accomplished through the Exercise Program for Adults with Down Syndrome (ExDS) at Arizona State University (ASU). ExDS is a semester long program integrating ASU students with adults with Down syndrome to design and perform workouts in a buddy system twice a week. ASU students enrolled in unrelated on-ground courses served as control participants. Implicit attitudes were tested using the Implicit Association Task at the beginning and end of the semester. Explicit attitudes were also tested using a self-report questionnaire--Community Living Attitudes Scale-ID version before and after enrollment in the program. Results were analyzed using a two-way ANOVA, where the interaction effects were statistically insignificant for both the IAT and CLAS-ID. Limitations included inconsistencies in the data collection process, the type of contact with those with intellectual disabilities, possible testing effects of learning both measures pre- and post- testing and a small sample size. Further research is necessary to determine the most effective way to measure implicit and explicit biases to those with intellectual disabilities.
ContributorsHightower, Tristany Fayeth (Author) / Holzapfel, Simon (Thesis director) / Tran, Alisa (Committee member) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05