title: The efficacy of a 9-month treadmill walking program on the exercise capacity and weight reduction for adolescents with severe autism.
abstract: This study evaluated the efficacy of a 9-month treadmill walking (TW) program on exercise capacity and body mass index (BMI) for adolescents with severe autism. Ten youth residing in a residential/school treatment facility were assigned to either a supplemental treadmill walking (TW) or control group. Both groups continued to participate in their regular physical education curriculum. Monthly records were maintained for the following: (a) TW progression in frequency, duration, speed and elevation; (b) caloric expenditure; and (c) BMI. The TW program resulted in significant increases in mean monthly TW frequency, speed, elevation, and calories expended coupled with a reduction in BMI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Professions, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS 67260-0043, USA. ken.pitetti@wichita.edu
authors.forename: Kenneth H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Pitetti
authors.forename: Andrew D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Rendoff
authors.forename: Travis
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Grover
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Beets
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012114:Residential Treatment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking; D015431:Weight Loss