Autism represents a disorder of neural development characterized by 3 features including deficit in social communication, inflexibility of speech and behavior, and stereotyped movements. The prevalence of this disorder has been reported about 1.5 per 100 individuals in Iran. Individuals with ASDs are susceptible to weakness in balance and stability and also postural deformities. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between core strength and balance in children with autism. The subjects included 32 boys with ASDs aged 6-10 (mean and standard deviation of 8.16 ± 1.16 years, 124.81 ± 11.56 cm in height, 33.02± 7.72 kg weight and body mass index 21.12 ± 3.14 kg/m 2). They were selected according to available sampling method. In order to assess the maximum isometric strength of hip abduction and external rotation, manual muscle test dynamometer was used. Static and dynamic balance were also tested by modified stork standing test and walking heel to toe test, respectively. The results showed that there is no correlation between core strength and static balance in dominant and non-dominant leg, but there is a significant correlation between dynamic balance and core strength. According to the results, it is recommended that development of parameters related to the core body strength to be emphasized for improving balance in such children.

Visual impairment is one of the most common functional impairments that considerably affects the postural control process and the ability to maintain balance. The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review concerning the effects of balance and core stability training on postural control in individuals who are visually impaired. This article comprehensively reviewed studies on balance in individuals who are blind from the following databases: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus from 2007 to 2021. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were people who were blind or visually impaired (acquired and congenital), men and women, all ages, and at least 6 weeks balance or core stability training program. Twelve articles were included in this review. Individuals with visual impairment and blindness from all ages were included in this study. According to this review, all balance and core stability protocols in this article have positive effects on balance and postural control for individuals with visual impairments. Therefore, balance and core stability intervention for at least 6 weeks is one of the more well-established protocols for improving balance and postural control in people with visual impairment and can have a positive impact in risk of falling regardless of age, gender, or severity of visual impairment.

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic is a remarkable health crisis that enforced most of people to stay at home and quarantined for a period of time and seems to be having negative impacts on physical activity and mental health worldwide. Autism spectrum disorders, is a neurodevelopmental disorder with deficit in social interaction characteristics, relationship and stereotyped behaviors. This study was seeking to examine Iranian parents’ perceptions on physical activity for their children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: In this study, an explanatory qualitative methodology used and data collected via semi-structured phone interviews. The samples included 40 parents (aged 25-50 years), in Iran who had children with ASD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 Edition DSM-5 criteria (aged 7-12 years). Results: The results showed that the parents observed their children’s physical activity to decrease greatly contrast to before the pandemic. Parents experienced weight gain, increased anxiety, increased stereotypic behaviors, and decrease orderliness, communicative interactions, and social skills. The parents stated that, when their children were more active before COVID-19 pandemic, they were more cheerful, more adaptable and communicated more verbally. The results determined that parents believed that physical activities have positive effects on the development of their children’s physical health and behavior. They also reported some barriers to their children's participation in physical activity. Conclusion: Participate in daily physical activity and support by parents, were consequential factors to promotion their physical and behavioral health, and the development of their independent performance and quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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