Exercise and Behavioral Problems

A recent study was published in Journal of Positive Behavioral Interventions on using exercise to decrease problem behaviors in boys. Using a multiple-baseline across-participants design, three boys participated daily in eight exercise sessions lasting from 1-20 minutes during the school day. Following the exercise intervention, two of the boys reduced the challenging behaviors to zero and the third boy's challenging behavior reduced to near zero.

Reference: Helen I. Cannella-Malone, Christopher A. Tullis, and Aline R. Kazee. Using Antecedent Exercise to Decrease Challenging Behavior in Boys With Developmental Disabilities and an Emotional DisorderJournal of Positive Behavior Interventions October 2011 13: 230-239, first published on May 3, 2011 doi:10.1177/1098300711406122