Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating, degenerative, and chronic disease that affects over 350,000 individuals in the United States. Symptoms such as fatigue, spasticity, weakness, gait and visual disturbances, numbness and balance problems affect many with MS on a regular basis. There are literally an infinite number of combinations of...
The ability to establish and maintain balance is claimed to be an important prerequisite of movement tasks. However, despite this general belief, there is limited empirical evidence to support the contribution of balance in motor skill performance. Furthermore, psychometric properties of using a computerized force platform to assess balance ability...
Sleep is an active process that affects an individual's daily functioning and physical and mental health. It is also beneficial for an individual's overall health and well being. Children with autism often have difficulty sleeping. One common complaint from parents of children with autism is that these children lack sufficient...
It has been demonstrated that walking is the most common form of physical activity for adults with intellectual disabilities, including Down syndrome (DS). The pedometer is common measurement tool to quantify steps walked, yet there is little evidence of the psychometric properties for individuals with intellectual disabilities, particularly DS. Thus,...
In order to increase life expectancy without long periods of morbidity, physical activity should be a component in every older adult's lifestyle. It is proven that regular physical activity can improve health and quality of life for older adults; however, the older population is one of the most sedentary populations...
Psychometric properties of two systematic observation tools, the System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time (SOFIT) and the Children's Activity Rating Scale (CARS), were examined for use with individuals with mental retardation (MR). Eleven children with MR were videotaped while participating in gym-based physical activity. Accelerometer data were collected and synchronized...
The role of schools and physical education curriculum in the promotion of physical activity (PA) has been widely recognized in recent years and schools have been identified as an appropriate setting for the promotion of PA (Cale, 2000). Physical educators have the unique role of working with children in a...
As obesity rates of children and adolescents rise within the Unites States, physical activity becomes increasingly important for adolescents with and without a disability. As the trend toward increased obesity rates in adolescents continues, there are similiar increases in the percentage of children being educated in inclusive settings. The purpose...
Physical activity is increasingly recognized as a maj or component contributing to the promotion of a healthy lifestyle. Evidence exists that a physically active behavior is carried over from childhood to adolescents and possibly to adulthood. Limited research about the physical activity behavior of students with visual impairment is available,...
Manual wheelchair propulsion is a physiologically stressful and biomechanically inefficient form of locomotion. The repetitious nature of propulsion puts wheelchair uses at high risk for developing upper extremity overuse injuries. Previous kinematic analysis has revealed that wheelchair users employ several distinct stroking techniques. One of the techniques, circular pattern (CP),...