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Cycling Interventions Enhance Executive Function in Children with Autism via Heart Rate Variability Mediation: A
Andy C Y Tse1, Paul H Lee2, Eric T C Poon3
1Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. andytse@cuhk.edu.hk.
Sports Medicine - Open
|April 10, 2026
Summary
Cycling interventions that include spatial updating and dynamic balance significantly improved executive function (EF) in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Heart rate variability (HRV) partially mediated these EF gains, highlighting optimized exercise for ASD.
Area of Science:
- Investigates the intersection of exercise science, neuroscience, and developmental psychology.
- Focuses on the impact of physical activity on cognitive functions in neurodevelopmental disorders.
Background:
- Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience executive function (EF) deficits.
- Cycling exercise is a promising intervention for improving EF, but the specific mechanisms are unclear.
- The role of spatial updating and dynamic balance in cycling's cognitive benefits needs further exploration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the cognitive effects of cycling interventions with varied navigation and balance demands in children with ASD.
- To investigate the mediating role of heart rate variability (HRV) in the relationship between cycling and EF.
- To determine which components of cycling exercise are most effective for enhancing EF.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-one children with ASD were randomly assigned to four groups: Learning to Bicycle (LTB), Bicycle Treadmill (BT), Cycling with Training Wheels (TW), and Stationary Cycling (SC).
- Interventions consisted of 8 sessions over 2 weeks.
- Executive function (using TOL, CBTT, GNG, CCTT) and heart rate variability (RMSSD) were assessed at baseline, mid-, and post-intervention.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements in all EF domains were observed in the LTB and TW groups (p < .001, d = .56–2.15).
- Heart rate variability (HRV) also significantly improved in the LTB group (p < .001, d = 1.24).
- HRV partially mediated EF improvements in LTB and TW groups, while BT showed modest gains and SC showed minimal effects.
Conclusions:
- Cycling interventions incorporating spatial updating and dynamic balance yielded the greatest EF benefits for children with ASD.
- Heart rate variability (HRV) partially mediated these cognitive improvements, suggesting a physiological pathway.
- Findings offer insights for optimizing exercise interventions to target EF deficits in children with ASD.
Keywords:
Autism spectrum disorderChildrenCyclingExecutive functionHeart rate variabilityRandomized controlled trialMore Related Videos
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