1. Brief Report: A Specialized Fitness Program for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder Benefits Physical, Behavioral, and Emotional Outcomes.
- Author
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Jackson, Scott L. J., Abel, Emily A., Reimer, Shara, and McPartland, James C.
- Subjects
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LEG physiology , *TORSO physiology , *BEHAVIOR disorders , *BODY mass index , *DATA analysis , *RESEARCH funding , *EXERCISE therapy , *EVALUATION of human services programs , *AUTISM , *QUESTIONNAIRES , *CLINICAL trials , *EMOTIONS , *ANXIETY , *SELF-control , *INTERNALIZING behavior , *PRE-tests & post-tests , *TEENAGERS' conduct of life , *MUSCLE strength , *LONGITUDINAL method , *RESISTANCE training , *PHYSICAL fitness , *PERSONAL training , *RESEARCH , *STATISTICS , *AEROBIC exercises , *DROWSINESS , *EXERCISE tests , *PSYCHOLOGICAL tests , *EXTERNALIZING behavior , *SLEEP hygiene , *CHILD behavior , *MENTAL depression - Abstract
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) engage in less physical activity than typically-developing peers. This can result in serious negative consequences for individual well-being and may contribute to the physical, behavioral, and emotional challenges associated with ASD. This study explored the potential benefits of trainer-led, individualized, physical fitness sessions specialized for ASD. Eleven individuals (ages 7–24 years) with ASD were assessed at baseline and following 15 fitness sessions. Participants demonstrated improvements in core and lower-body strength and reductions in restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, along with non-significant but marked reductions in issues with daytime sleepiness. Results suggest the merit of specialized fitness programs and emphasize the need for larger and more rigorous research studies on this topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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