Movement is a cornerstone of our quality of life, overall health, and wellbeing. More and more research, specific to that of autistics, is linking physical activity to everything from better sleep, stress reduction, decrease in challenging behavior, improved cardiovascular health, deepened mind-body connection, boosted positive emotions and enhanced learning outcomes.
Movement
Exercise as an Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder
This review looks at the impact of exercise interventions on behavioral outcomes in individuals with autism spectrum disorder under the age of 16. Results showed that exercise interventions such as jogging, horseback riding, martial arts, swimming, or yoga/dance can result in a variety of improvements in behavioral outcomes. Horseback riding and martial arts interventions resulted in the greatest improvements in behavioral outcomes.
A Systematic Review of the Behavioural Outcomes Following Exercise Interventions for Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder
The purpose of this review was to systematically search and critically analyse the literature pertaining to behavioural outcomes of exercise interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorder aged ⩽16 years. This systematic review employed a comprehensive peer-reviewed search strategy, two-stage screening process and rigorous critical appraisal, which resulted in the inclusion of 13 studies. Results demonstrated that exercise interventions consisting individually of jogging, horseback riding, martial arts, swimming or yoga/dance can result in improvements to numerous behavioural outcomes including stereotypic behaviours, social-emotional functioning, cognition and attention. Horseback riding and martial arts interventions may produce the greatest results with moderate to large effect sizes, respectively. Future research with well-controlled designs, standardized assessments, larger sample sizes and longitudinal follow-ups is necessary, in addition to a greater focus on early childhood (aged 0–5 years) and adolescence (aged 12–16 years), to better understand the extent of the behavioural benefits that exercise may provide these populations.
Bremer, E., Crozier, M. Lloyd, M. (2016). A systematic review of the behavioural outcomes following exercise interventions for children and youth with autism spectrum disorder. Autism, 20(8), 899-915. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613156160
Movement for Focus: How Physical Activity Increases Engagement in Children with ASD
This study examines the impact of antecedent exercise (e.g. jogging, walking, or biking) on sustained engagement for children with ASD in early childhood. Three kindergarten students with ASD participated in the study. Results show that brief, fun, embedded antecedent exercise increased student engagement and on-task behavior across classroom activities.
The Effects of Physical Activity on Engagement in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Physical activity (PA) is linked to multiple positive health outcomes for young children, with potential benefits in other domains as well. Engaging in higher intensity PA may produce positive gains for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), especially in academic engagement and on-task behavior. However, there is limited research documenting current levels of PA in young children with ASD and effective strategies for early childhood educators to increase PA. The aim of this study is to address these gaps by examining the extent to which embedded antecedent exercise (AE) increases and sustains engagement for children with ASD in early childhood settings. Three kindergarten students with ASD participated in this study, using a single-case withdrawal design to investigate the relationship between intensity of PA and student engagement during two unique classroom activities. Overall, results showed an increase in student engagement across classroom activities after participating in embedded AE.
Harbin, S.G., Davis, C.A., Sandall, S. Fettig, A. (2021). The Effects of Physical Activity on Engagement in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Early Childhood Education Journal, 50, 1461-1473.
Body Mind Connect: Exercise, Sleep, Behavioral Functioning, and Melatonin Levels in Children with Autism
This study investigated the impact of exercise on sleep and behavioral functioning in children (8-12 years old) with autism spectrum disorders. It also looked at whether exercise alters melatonin levels among the population. Results found that exercise significantly improved sleep and behavioral functioning while also significantly increasing melatonin levels, highlighting the variety of benefits of exercise in children with ASD.
Effects of Exercise on Sleep, Melatonin Level, and Behavioral Functioning in Children With Autism
Poor sleep quality and low behavioral functioning are commonly reported in children with autism spectrum disorder. This study examined the impact of exercise on sleep on melatonin level and behavioral functioning in the population. Children with autism spectrum disorder(n = 55; age = 10.97 ± 1.90) were randomly allocated to a morning jogging intervention group or a control group. Participants’ sleep was measured using actigraphy and sleep log assessments. Twenty-fourhour and first morning urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin were used to determine whether the exercise intervention could elicit changes in melatonin levels. Behavioral functioning of the participants was assessed by the repetitive subscale of the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale–3rd edition. All assessments were carried out in baseline, post-intervention, or regular treatment, and follow-up to elucidate the sustainability of the exercise effects. Positive changes were observed between baseline and post-intervention in actigraphy-assessed sleep efficiency and wake after sleep onset, as well as melatonin level and behavioral functioning within the intervention group (ps < 0.017). However, no significant changes were observed in all measurements between post-intervention and follow-up (ps > 0.05). The findings suggest that physical exercise is effective to improve sleep with an increase in melatonin level. It can also reduce repetitive behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder.
Tse, A. CY., Lee, P.H., Zhang, J., Chan, R. CY., Ho, A. WY., Lai, E. WH. (2022). Effects of exercise on sleep, melatonin level, and behavioral functioning in children with autism. Autism, 26(7), 1712-1722. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613211062952
