Physical work capacity and classroom attention of handicapped and non-handicapped children.
The relationship between Physical Work Capacity (PWC) and 'attention in the classroom' was examined using a differential design, with 15 handicapped (age range 94-167 months) and 20 non-handicapped children (age range 91-141 months). The PWC was measured with the aid of a bicycle ergometer and the childrens' attention by means of an observation instrument developed for the purpose. On both variables the non-handicapped children differed significantly from the handicapped children. A low, non-significant relationship was found between scores obtained from the observaton instrument and a teachers' questionnaire for classroom attentional behaviour. The correlation between PWC and 'attention in the classroom' within the two groups was found to be non-significant but different in sign. This suggested relationship betwen PWC and attention merits further study. Suggestions are made with respect to physical training programmes for handicapped children.
D001288:Attention; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D009128:Muscle Spasticity; D010100:Oxygen / Q000502:physiology; D010243:Paralysis; D010807:Physical Endurance; D005082:Physical Exertion; D012119:Respiration; D012574:Schools
D010100:Oxygen