Meta-Analysis on Intervention Effects of Physical Activities on Children and Adolescents with Autism

Abstract

This paper aimed to discuss the intervention effects of physical activities on children and adolescents with autism with a meta-analysis so as to serve as a reference to further relevant research on the same topic. As for research methods, by searching in CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), WanFang data, VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and other databases, this study collected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the intervention of physical activities on children and adolescents with autism and used Review Manager 5.3 software to process and analyze the outcome indicators of the literature. As for the result, a total of 12 papers and 492 research targets were selected. The results of the meta-analysis show that physical activity had a significant positive impact on social interaction ability, communication ability, motor skills, and autism degree of autistic children as well as the social skills and communication skills of autistic adolescents. On the other hand, physical activity had no significant effect on the stereotyped behavior of autistic children and adolescents. In conclusion, physical activity intervention is beneficial to children and adolescents with autism, and continuous physical activity intervention can produce greater intervention effect.

The Impact of Sports and Physical Activities on Assertiveness in University Students

“…It can be assumed that a high level of PA, including sports, increases assertiveness by enhancing self-esteem. Additionally, studies regarding the effectiveness of structured PA programs to improve communication skills for adolescents with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) support the findings of this study (Huang et al, 2020 29) , Zhao & Chen, 2018 30) ). Huang et al's (2020) meta-analysis concluded that PA has a significant positive impact on communication skills of adolescents with ASD 29) .…”

“…Additionally, studies regarding the effectiveness of structured PA programs to improve communication skills for adolescents with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) support the findings of this study (Huang et al, 2020 29) , Zhao & Chen, 2018 30) ). Huang et al's (2020) meta-analysis concluded that PA has a significant positive impact on communication skills of adolescents with ASD 29) . These conventional studies and the evidence from this study, indicate that an increase in PA levels improves assertiveness among university students.…”

The Effects of Physical Activity and Exergaming on Motor Skills and Executive Functions in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…31,[40][41][42]47 Previous research suggests that both PA and exergaming interventions could be associated with improvements in MS and EF in children with ASD. 48 Although previous studies have directly compared PA and exergaming interventions, to the best of our knowledge no studies have directly compared the effects of an 8-week traditional PA intervention, an exergaming intervention, and a control condition on MS and EF in children with ASD. Our primary aim was to investigate the effects of two types of interventions, SPARK and exergaming (Kinect), on MS and EF in children with ASD.…”

Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Patients With Mental Disorders: What Do We Know?

“…Lifestyle modifications may have a significant role in IBD and mental disorders. Patients with IBD should be encouraged to exercise because physical activity may improve psycho-logical well-being, reducing anxiety and depression, as well as having a preventative or mitigated role against Alzheimer's disease [70], Parkinson's disease [71] and ASD [72]. Also, IBD patients should avoid alcohol consumption and narcotics use that have been correlated with comorbid mental illnesses and worsening of IBD course [73].…”