| Summary: | Bibliography: pages 120-136. === The use of physical exercise as a therapeutic technique was explored with special reference to the mentally subnormal child. Advances in intellectual capability and social maturity were discussed in direct relation to .progress in motor skill and physical fitness. The prerequisites for a successful physical exercise programme for increasing intellectual and social functioning were outlined. An investigation was carried out to examine the effects of dynamic physical exertion therapy on the intellectual and social functioning of mentally subnormal children. A static physical exertion therapy condition served as control intervention. Thirty two institutionalised children matched on age, sex and diagnostic classification, participated in the 30-week programme. Heart rate at rest, heart rate at sub minimal workload and maximal oxygen consumption rate estimates served as measures of physical fitness. Changes in intellectual and social functioning were assessed by means of the Vineland Social Maturity Scale, Old South African Individual Scale, and Goodenough Draw-A-Man. Test. Highly significant improvements were recorded for the dynamic physical exertion therapy condition. Changes due to the static physical exertion therapy were less significant. The results supported the hypotheses that intensive, regular cardiovascular endurance exercises bring about marked increases in physical fitness associated with increases in intellectual and social functioning. Implications of the present study were examined and future research needs put forward.
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