Are Gait Biomechanics Related to Physical Activity Engagement? An Examination of Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

PurposeAdolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) rarely meet physical activity (PA) guidelines, thus not reaping associated health benefits. Although many barriers exist, abnormal or inefficient gait biomechanics could negatively impact engagement in PA. This study has two purposes: first, to compare total body mechanical work between adolescents with ASD and neurotypical age-, sex-, and body mass index–matched controls, and second to determine whether gait biomechanics are significantly related to engagement in PA.MethodsTwenty-five adolescents (age, 13–18 yr) with ASD and 17 neurotypical controls (eight with ASD had no match) participated in the study. Three-dimensional motion capture and force platforms were used to record and analyze gait biomechanics at self-selected speeds and a standardized 1.3 m·s−1. Total body mechanical work (sum of joint works across lower extremity, low back, torso, and shoulders) was compared between groups (n = 17 for each) and speeds using a mixed model analysis of variance. Average daily light PA, moderate to vigorous PA, and total PA was recorded for the entire data set with ASD using triaxial accelerometers worn for 1 wk. Regression analyses were performed between work, stride time variability, speed, and stride length with each PA variable.ResultsAdolescents with ASD generated 9% more work compared with the controls (P = 0.016). Speed and stride length were significant regressors of light PA, moderate to vigorous PA, and total PA, explaining greater than 0.20 variance (P < 0.02 for all regressions).ConclusionsAlthough adolescents with ASD walked with significantly greater work, the complex full-body variable is not significantly related to engagement in PA. In agreement with research spanning multiple populations and ages, speed and stride length are indicative of PA engagement in adolescents with ASD.

Age-Related Differences in Accelerometer-Assessed Physical Activity and Sleep Parameters Among Children and Adolescents With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…Three articles, identified via a manual snowball search, also met the inclusion criteria. Finally, 28 studies were selected for systematic review and meta-analysis as the data was considered sufficient.…”

“…Three articles, identified via a manual snowball search, also met the inclusion criteria. Finally, 28 studies 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 were selected for systematic review and meta-analysis as the data was considered sufficient.…”

“…The differences in physical activity levels and sleep parameters between children and adolescents with and without ASD are summarized in the Table . Twelve studies 43 , 46 , 47 , 49 , 50 , 53 , 55 , 57 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 65 recorded physical activity levels of the duration of the actigraph measurements ranging from 4 to 14 days and measured MVPA duration as an outcome to represent daily physical activity. Furthermore, we identified within-group differences in physical activity levels between weekdays 47 , 49 , 50 , 55 , 60 , 65 and weekend days 55 , 60 , 65 among participants with ASD and found that children and adolescents with ASD spent more time in MVPA on weekdays (67.56 min/d) than on weekend days (39.01 min/d).…”

“…While 24 studies [39][40][41][42][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][55][56][57]59,60,[62][63][64][65][66] (85.7%) confirmed ASD diagnosis using standardized diagnostic methods (eg, DSM-4, DSM-5, ICD-10, and ADOS-2), only 7 studies 39,41,49,50,53,54,57 (25.0%) provided a clear classification of ASD severity. The differences in physical activity levels and sleep parameters between children and adolescents with and without ASD are summarized in the Table . Twelve studies 43,46,47,49,50,53,55,57,[60][61][62]65 recorded physical activity levels of the duration of the actigraph measurements ranging from 4 to 14 days and measured MVPA duration as an outcome to represent daily physical activity. Furthermore, we identified within-group differences in physical activity levels between weekdays 47,…”

Barefoot walking improves cognitive ability in adolescents

“…While physical activity is essential for healthy development [ 3 ] during adolescence, the practice of walking has become less common in modern societies [ 4 ]. This is concerning as research has demonstrated that regular physical activity, including walking, can have significant physiological and psychological benefits for adolescents [ 5 , 6 ]. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the impact of walking on the developing adolescent brain and its potential role in promoting healthy brain development.…”