Using Treadmills to Enhance Mobile Ability: A Case Study on Elementary Students with Multiple Disabilities

• Main Authors: CHUNG, YI-CHIA, 鍾怡佳
• Other Authors: LIN, HSIAO-FANG
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2016
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/10028955823107950622

碩士 === 明道大學 === 課程與教學研究所 === 104 === This study aimed to explore the degrees to which elementary students with multiple disabilities enhance mobile ability by using treadmills to train lower limbs in operating function courses. In order to meet students' basic abilities, the researcher designed a training program and arranged different training contents, execution times and frequency interventions in three stages: exploration period, stable period and maintenance period. In this case study, the methodology adopted includes the following steps: first, data was collected from researchers' reflection notes, visual and audio documentation, interviews and other related archives. Then the researcher analyzed the data and assessed the overall effects in order to establish an effective training program model of treadmills for elementary students with multiple disabilities. Findings suggest that by using treadmills, students’ following abilities can be improved: proprioception, proactive mobility, and decreasing self-stimulatory behavior. Students also acquired learning experience and changed perception. During the training process, students were easily frustrated and had emotional reactions in Stage One and in the middle of every stage. These emotional reactions include refusing to step on treadmills, making noise, crying slightly or loudly, self-stimulating, resting their feet on the frame, and bending their bodies forward. The researcher adopted the following strategies to encourage the students when their learning motivation decreased: appropriate reinforcements and intervention timing, temporary rests, and external stimulus to distract their attention, for example, playing familiar music. According to the results, the research proposes suggestions for treadmill training to school practical teaching and subsequent research in the future.