Graduation Date

Summer 2025

Document Type

Thesis

Program

Master of Science degree with a major in Kinesiology

Committee Chair Name

Rock Braithwaite

Committee Chair Affiliation

Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff

Second Committee Member Name

Jill Anderson

Second Committee Member Affiliation

Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff

Third Committee Member Name

David Adams

Third Committee Member Affiliation

Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff

Keywords

Adapted physical education, Physical education, Physical activity, Reinforcement, Behavior, Special education, Teacher reinforcement strategies

Subject Categories

Physical Education

Abstract

This systematic review examined the effectiveness of various reinforcement strategies on student outcomes in adapted physical education (APE) settings for individuals with disabilities. A comprehensive literature search spanning from 1979 to 2024 across six databases identified 18 studies meeting inclusion criteria, involving 140 participants aged 3–22 with diverse physical and cognitive disabilities. Reinforcement strategies evaluated included token economies, verbal praise, tangible rewards, and alternative techniques such as video modeling and peer-mediated interventions. Outcomes measured were categorized into affective states, behavioral improvements, and cognitive gains. Results showed mixed effectiveness across studies: while 7 of the 18 studies reported significant improvements in student behavior, motivation, or engagement, others revealed inconsistent or negligible effects, often due to methodological limitations such as small sample sizes, inconsistent reinforcement schedules, and lack of long-term follow-up. Token economies and video modeling emerged as the most frequently used and sometimes effective strategies, particularly for students with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities. However, overall variability in study quality, reinforcement application, and student demographics limited the generalizability of findings. The review underscores the need for individualized, developmentally appropriate, and context-specific reinforcement approaches, and calls for future research utilizing larger samples, randomized designs, and consistent theoretical frameworks to better inform evidence-based practices in APE.

Citation Style

APA

Collaboration

1

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