Feasibility and Associated Physical Performance Outcomes of a High-Intensity Exercise Program for Children With...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Exercise Science
• Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
• Motor Performance

Background:

• Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) without intellectual disability (ID) often have lower physical activity (PA) levels due to social, motor, and behavioral challenges.
• There is a significant need for evidence-based exercise interventions tailored for this population.
• Current treatment options for improving PA in children with ASD without ID are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test the feasibility and safety of a high-intensity exercise program for children with ASD without ID.
• To evaluate the program's impact on physical performance and activity levels in this group.
• To gather preliminary data for a potential randomized controlled trial.

Main Methods:

• Fifty-eight children (ages 7-12) with ASD without ID participated in a 5-week manualized high-intensity exercise program.
• Feasibility was assessed through fidelity, satisfaction, attrition, and injury rates.
• Physical performance was measured using work production, moderate-to-vigorous PA levels, and six standardized exercise tests.

Main Results:

• The program demonstrated high fidelity (93.7%), excellent satisfaction, and no attrition or injuries, indicating feasibility, tolerability, and safety.
• Significant improvements were observed in work production (d=0.83) and activity levels (d=1.05).
• Participants showed significant gains in sit-ups (d=0.37), air squats (d=0.29), and long jump (d=0.34).

Conclusions:

• A high-intensity exercise program is a feasible, safe, and effective intervention for children with ASD without ID.
• The program led to notable improvements in physical performance and activity levels.
• These findings support the need for a larger randomized controlled trial to confirm efficacy.