The Effects of Structured Physical Activity Program on Social Interaction and Communication for Children with Autism

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of structured physical activity program on social interaction and communication of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Fifty children with ASD from a special school were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. 25 children with ASD were placed in the experimental group, and the other 25 children as the control group participated in regular physical activity. A total of forty-one participants completed the study. A 12-week structured physical activity program was implemented with a total of 24 exercise sessions targeting social interaction and communication of children with ASD, and a quasi-experimental design was used for this study. Data were collected using quantitative and qualitative instruments. SSIS and ABLLS-R results showed that an overall improvement in social skills and social interaction for the experimental group across interim and posttests, F = 8.425, p = 0.001 (p < 0.005), and significant improvements appeared in communication, cooperation, social interaction, and self-control subdomains (p < 0.005). Conversely, no statistically significant differences were found in the control group (p > 0.005). The study concluded that the special structured physical activity program positively influenced social interaction and communication skills of children with ASD, especially in social skills, communication, prompt response, and frequency of expression.

The effect of physical activity interventions on development of children with autism spectrum disorder. content-analysis of researches

“…Thus, the synthesis of the data showed that most researchers are studying the impact of programs using one type of PA. Only a few of them were devoted to reviewing the effectiveness of interventional programs with complex use of means. For example, relaxation exercises with the means of dance and music therapy [56], a program of mixed exercises (for example, cycling, with medicine ball) [57], programs with different ball games [58], a program with inclusion of basic coordination and strength exercises [59], a program of structured physical activity with naturally integrated elements of social interaction [60] can be attributed to comprehensive programs. In a number of studies, the efficiency of two different applications, such as muscular strength and cardiorespiratory program [53], yoga and Chinese gymnastics [61], single or triple burden running [62], dance and exercise bike exergaming [49] were compared.…”

“…Studies have shown a positive effect of PA on academic activity and academic performance [39,81,82] of people with ASD, as well as improving their cognitive function [60,68]. It was found that every 10th research is devoted to the issues of cognitive skills under the influence of exercise.…”

The Association Between Exercise and Psychological Wellbeing in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

“…As a result, physical activity is important for everyone not only for having good physical health but also for good psychological health which is necessary for a better life and doing better things. Sports provide interaction and communication and develop cooperation between individuals (Zhao & Chen, 2018).…”

Efeitos de um Programa de Psicomotricidade Relacional no Meio Aquático sobre o Comportamento Social em Crianças com Transtorno do Espectro Autista

“…Esse estudo mostra taxas de melhoria por aspetos avaliados, sendo eles: atenção (22%), percepção 32%, tônus 46%, o ajuste do motor 86%, imitação 60%, emoção 16%, contato 37%, e de comunicação 24% (HAMEURY, 2010). Uma pesquisa bem mais recente nos mostra resultados positivos na relação exercício físico x melhoria na comunicação em crianças com autismo, utilizando o método experimental com uma amostra de 41 crianças (ZHAO;CHEN, 2018).…”