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Purpose: There is a need for valid and reliable clinical assessment tools to assess cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) levels in adolescents with autism. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the concurrent validity and test-retest reliability of the Astrand-Rhyming Test (ART) in this population. Materials and methods: 45 adolescents with autism aged 12–18 years (n = 32 males, 14.47 ± 1.79 years) performed the ART twice (test-retest reliability) and completed a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) (concurrent validity). Reliability parameters included Pearson correlations, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), standard error of measurements (SEM), minimal detectable changes (MDC), coefficients of variation, paired sample t-tests, linear regressions and Bland-Altman plots. The concurrent validity was evaluated with Pearson correlations, ICCs, paired sample t-tests, linear regressions and Bland-Altman plots. Results: Strong test-retest reliability (r = 0.84–0.85, ICC = 0.84–0.85) was found for the ART, but the wide limits of agreement intervals suggest the presence of substantial variability. The large SEM (4.73–5.08 mL/kg/min) and MDC (13.20-14.07 mL/kg/min) values suggest lower absolute reliability. Moderate to strong levels of association (r = 0.74–0.75) and agreement (ICC = 0.59–0.66) were found between estimated (ART1) and measured (CPET) VO2 max levels, but significant systematic differences (5.71–8.82 mL/kg/min) were observed. Conclusion: The ART is an accessible and promising method to monitor submaximal CRF levels over time but is less appropriate to estimate maximal CRF levels in this population. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: Adolescents with autism are at increased risk of exhibiting low cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) levels and as a result, placing them at risk for poor physical and mental health outcomes. In clinical practice, the CRF levels of this population should be screened and monitored routinely to identify those at risk and most likely to benefit from a targeted intervention. A submaximal exercise test appears to be feasible in adolescents with autism. The Astrand-Rhyming Test shows good reliability to monitor submaximal CRF levels over time, but is less appropriate to estimate maximal CRF levels in adolescents with autism. The use of the age correction factor of the Astrand-Rhyming Test nomogram is not required to adequately estimate CRF levels in adolescents with autism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescents with autism are less physically active compared to neurotypical peers. Little is known concerning the meanings and processes that influence their physical activity (PA) participation. Therefore, we aimed to explore the barriers/facilitators of PA participation adolescents with autism experience. Guided by the principles of the socio-ecological model, semi-structured interviews with 17 adolescents with autism (n = 11 males, 14.4 ± 1.6 years) were conducted. In every PA context (i.e. unorganized PA, sports club, and physical education classes), a variety of intrapersonal, interpersonal, environmental and policy barriers/facilitators of PA participation were found. These barriers/facilitators can be context-specific and related to autism spectrum disorder symptomatology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic review examined correlates of physical activity (PA) at all levels of the socio-ecological model (i.e., intrapersonal, interpersonal, environmental and policy level) in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Major electronic databases were searched from inception until March 23rd, 2021. A summary coding was used to analyze the data for children (3–12 years) and adolescents (13–18 years) with ASD separately. Out of the 79 potential PA correlates, retrieved from 32 studies (991 657 children; 3857 adolescents), only five correlates were consistently examined as a PA correlate (i.e., examined in four or more studies) in children and adolescents with ASD. Only age was inversely associated with PA in children and adolescents with ASD. Data on gender, body mass index, autism severity level and day of the week being physically active in children with ASD were mixed. We only found consistent evidence for age being inversely related to PA. Our review indicates that more research is needed to explore intrapersonal, interpersonal, environmental and policy-related correlates of PA in children and adolescents with ASD. Rehabilitation programs should take into account that in particular older children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder are at risk for physical inactivity. Boys and girls with autism spectrum disorder need the same care when motivating them to be more physically active. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]