The influence of physical fitness training as a rehabilitation tool.

Many people have reported the benefits derived from physical exercise. Various activities of modern society reflect, in general, an increased interest in health and physical fitness. The construct validity of a "sound body - sound mind" philosophy, although not yet established, has been empirically supported within the nondisabled population. At first glance, a group of rehabilitation-related studies seem to further support such a theoretical construct, with regard to the physically, psychologically and/or emotionally impaired. A two-fold, programmatic and methodological, analysis of these 10 articles, which were (1) published between 1973 and 1978 and (2) were empirical studies of the effects of physical fitness training on disabled clients, uncovered a fascinating confounding of programmatic and methodological variables. Further empirical investigation of the issue utilizing (1) strong design methodology and (2) brief-high intensity training principles, is essential before any specific conclusions can be made, concerning the influence of physical fitness training upon rehabilitation clients. On the basis of the aforementioned 10 articles, however, exercise training appears potentially useful as a rehabilitation program tool.