The Effect of Exercise on Aggression in Students With Intellectual Disability

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of exercise on aggression in students with intellectual disability. Methods & Matreials: An experimental study of pretest-posttest design was conducted with a control group. The statistical population included all students with intellectual disability in the ‘Sedeh’ City of Fars province during the academic year 2012-2013. Through convenience sampling 26 students with intellectual disability were selected. They were then randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups, such that each group consisted of 13 students. Both groups were assessed at pre-test. The experimental group received 24 sessions of exercise while the control group did not. Upon completion of the sessions the post-test was administered to both groups. The ‘Ghezelsofloo Aggression Questionnaire’ (2009) was used to assess aggression. The data were analyzed by ANCOVA. The mean scores of aggression and its subscales (verbal aggression to self, nonverbal aggression to self, verbal aggression to another) significantly decreased in the experimental group (p<0.001). Exercise had a significant effect on aggression in intellectually disabled students. Therefore, to improve aggression in these students, we recommend designing and implementing exercise programs for them.