Autistic Young Adults' Experiences and Recommendations for Strength Training.

Area of Science:

• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Exercise Science
• Rehabilitation Psychology

Background:

• Strength training offers physical and mental health benefits.
• Limited research exists on autistic individuals' experiences with strength training.
• Understanding accessibility needs is crucial for inclusive physical activity programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore autistic young adults' experiences with strength training.
• To identify recommendations for designing accessible and supportive strength training programs for autistic individuals.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative descriptive approach with a constructivist lens.
• Semi-structured interviews conducted with thirteen autistic young adults (ages 22-25).
• Reflexive analysis of interview data regarding strength training experiences and program preferences.

Main Results:

• Key participation factors include social support, knowledgeable coaching, and perceived physical/mental benefits.
• Autistic adults emphasized the need for sensory accommodations, flexible scheduling, and varied training formats (group/individual).

Conclusions:

• Findings inform the development of more inclusive and accessible strength training programs for autistic young adults.
• Recommendations focus on tailoring programs to individual needs, including sensory preferences and scheduling flexibility.
• Future research should broaden participant demographics to include those new to strength training and diverse ethnic/racial backgrounds.