The importance of comprehensive support based on the three pillars of exercise, nutrition, and sleep for improving core symptoms of autism spectrum disorders

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-V, which first described ASD, lists persistent deficits in social communication and interrelationships, as well as limited and recurrent modes of behavior, interests, and activities as diagnostic items. Until recently, understanding the pathophysiology of ASD has been mostly from a neurophysiological perspective, and interventions have been mostly behavioral and psychological. In recent years, however, it has become clear that ASD also affects many bodily systems, including the immune system, the sensorimotor system, and the gut-brain axis, and that these factors simultaneously influence it. In light of this background, a new “connectivome theory” has been proposed as a hypothesis for understanding ASD. “Exercise,” “nutrition,” and “sleep,” which are discussed in this mini-review, have a particularly strong relationship with the immune, musculoskeletal, and gut systems among the pathologies mentioned in the “connectivome theory,” furthermore, many reports suggest improvements in stereo-responsive behavior and social and communication skills, which are the core symptoms of ASD. In addition, these interventions are characterized by being less subject to location and cost limitations and excel in the continuity of therapeutic intervention, and the three interventions may have a reciprocal positive impact and may function as three pillars to support ASD.

Scoping Review of Swimming and Aquatic Exercise Intervention Studies for Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

“…Of the 40 articles analyzed, all but one was published after 2000, of which 36 (90%) were published after 2010. Many intervention studies with physical activity/exercise for ASD and AD/HD have been published in recent years, suggesting that this field has been recently pioneered (Yano and Hosokawa, 2023). It is now known that physical activity/exercise has a variety of benefits, including low cost and a small risk of side effects, in addition to its effectiveness in improving the core symptoms of neurodevelopmental disorders (Bremer et al, 2016).…”

Scoping Review of Martial Arts Intervention Studies for Autism Spectrum Disorders

“…Advance Publication by J-STAGE Published online February 14, 2024 Therefore, recent years have seen a focus on physical activity/exercise-based therapies with low cost and no risk of side effects (Bremer et al, 2016;Healy et al, 2018). We comprehensively reviewed intervention studies using aerobic exercise such as running, swimming, and aquatic exercise (Battaglia et al, 2019), sports such as basketball (Cai et al, 2020), and martial arts such as Judo and Karate, and reported that these have beneficial effects for ASD (Yano and Hosokawa, 2023). However, there are few systematic reviews focusing on individualized exercise programs (e.g., Martin and Dillenburger., 2019;Mortimer et al, 2014), and summarized information leading to more effective interventions is limited.…”