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Physical Fitness Training and Counseling as Treatment for Youthful Offenders

NCJ Number
87310
Journal
Journal of Counseling Psychology Volume: 29 Issue: 3 Dated: (May 1982) Pages: 292-303
Author(s)
J C Hilyer; D G Wilson; C Dillon; L Caro; C Jenkins; W A Spencer; M E Meadows
Date Published
1982
Length
12 pages
Annotation
The study examined if physical fitness training delivered by skilled counselors causes positive physiological and psychological changes in a randomly selected group of high security risk juveniles when compared to a similar group in an industrial school setting.
Abstract
Two groups of randomly selected male students were tested with a battery of physiological and psychological measures administered by an exercise physiologist and psychometrist, respectively. The experimental group received a systematic physical fitness program delivered by counselors for 1.5 hours each day, 3 days a week, for 20 weeks. The treatment included a counseling model used previously with delinquent adolescents. At the end of the treatment period, all students were posttested with the same batteries of tests. Multivariate analysis of data using Hotelling's T-squared revealed significant differences between groups on pretest measures in favor of controls. Significant differences on the posttest measures were found in favor of experimental students. Univariate analysis identified the areas of difference both physiologically and psychologically. Study data, 3 notes, and 44 references are supplied. (Author abstract modified)