scholarly journals The Effects of Physical Activity and Exergaming on Motor Skills and Executive Functions in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Homa Rafiei Milajerdi ◽  
Mahmoud Sheikh ◽  
Mahboubeh Ghayour Najafabadi ◽  
Behnaz Saghaei ◽  
Naser Naghdi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Motor Skills ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder

The levels of physical activity and motor skills in young children with and without autism spectrum disorder, aged 2–5 years

Autism ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 414-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leah Ketcheson ◽  
Janet Lynn Hauck ◽  
Dale Ulrich
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Motor Skills ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Typically Developing

Autism spectrum disorder is the fastest growing developmental disability in the United States. As such, there is an unprecedented need for research examining factors contributing to the health disparities in this population. This research suggests a relationship between the levels of physical activity and health outcomes. In fact, excessive sedentary behavior during early childhood is associated with a number of negative health outcomes. A total of 53 children participated in this study, including typically developing children (mean age = 42.5 ± 10.78 months, n = 19) and children with autism spectrum disorder (mean age = 47.42 ± 12.81 months, n = 34). The t-test results reveal that children with autism spectrum disorder spent significantly less time per day in sedentary behavior when compared to the typically developing group ( t(52) = 4.57, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the results from the general linear model reveal that there is no relationship between motor skills and the levels of physical activity. The ongoing need for objective measurement of physical activity in young children with autism spectrum disorder is of critical importance as it may shed light on an often overlooked need for early community-based interventions to increase physical activity early on in development.

Examining the impact of physical activity on sleep quality and executive functions in children with autism spectrum disorder: A randomized controlled trial

Autism ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 1699-1710 ◽  
Author(s):  
Choi Yeung Andy Tse ◽  
Hong Paul Lee ◽  
Ka Shing Kevin Chan ◽  
Veronica Bordes Edgar ◽  
Alison Wilkinson-Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Sleep Onset ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Sleep Onset Latency ◽  
The Impact

Sleep disturbance and executive dysfunction have been widely reported in children with autism spectrum disorder. While the positive impacts of physical activity on sleep quality and cognition are documented in children with typical development, similar studies in children with autism spectrum disorder are scarce. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of physical activity on sleep quality and cognition in children with autism spectrum disorder. A total of 40 children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (mean age = 9.95 years) were randomly assigned into two groups: physical activity intervention and control. Four sleep parameters (sleep efficiency, sleep onset latency, sleep duration, and wake after sleep onset) and two executive functions (inhibition control and working memory) were assessed. Results revealed a significant improvement in sleep efficiency, sleep onset latency, and sleep duration in the intervention group but not in the control group during weekdays. Moreover, a significant improvement in inhibitory control was shown in the intervention group but not in the control group. No significant improvement in working memory capacity was documented in either group ( ps > 0.05). Our findings highlight the value of physical activity in improving sleep quality and cognition among children with autism spectrum disorder, but specific physical activity may be required to benefit individual executive functions.

Parent Physical Activity: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Recommendations for Parents of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Norah L. Johnson ◽  
Abir K. Bekhet ◽  
Rachel Sawdy ◽  
Emily Zint ◽  
June Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Exercise Interventions ◽  
Barriers To Physical Activity

Background: The aims of this review were to describe exercise interventions, facilitators, and barriers to physical activity for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. Methods: A systematic review of the literature, appraising the validity of each article with Melnyk and Fineout-Overholt’s level of evidence, from different databases CINAHL, Cochrane, PsycINFO, PubMed, ProQuest, and Web of Science between 2000 and 2020 was conducted. As the initial search revealed no articles on exercise interventions and only 2 articles with children with autism spectrum disorder, the aim was widened to all parents of children. Results: Forty-five articles were identified on barriers to physical activity including being the primary caregiving parent, perception of guilt and selfishness, and adhering to exercise programs they do as part of research, once research ends. Facilitators for physical activity including parents being more likely to exercise if they can bring their child with them and parents preferring exercise that is a lifelong habit, such as walking. Conclusions: Due to the lack of research on parents of children with autism spectrum disorder, recommendations include development and testing of interventions for parents of children with this condition including family-based exercise interventions where children and parents have a choice to exercise together.

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