RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
A1 Coffey, Craig
A1 Sheehan, Damien
A1 Faigenbaum, Avery D.
A1 Healy, Sean
A1 Lloyd, Rhodri S
A1 Kinsella, Sharon
T1 Effects of a school-based integrative neuromuscular training exercise intervention on physical fitness among children with autism spectrum disorder
JF European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity
YR 2023
VO 16
IS 1
SP 11
OP 11
DO 10.5507/euj.2023.004
UL https://eujapa.upol.cz/artkey/euj-202301-0009.php
AB The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of an eight-week, school-based integrative neuromuscular training (INT) intervention on the fitness levels of seventy-eight, 4-12-year-old children with mild, moderate, or severe symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Children participated in an INT intervention, consisting of three, one-hour sessions per week. Physical fitness was assessed pre-and post-intervention using a modified Eurofit test battery and analysed using a 3x2 ANOVA. This INT intervention resulted in significant improvements of physical fitness (p < .05) pre- to post-intervention (20 m sprint [p = .044], standing broad jump, sit and reach, handgrip and stork balance [p < .001]). Notably, children with severe symptoms of ASD showed significant improvements in standing broad jump (p = .001 [mild vs severe], p = .012 [moderate vs severe]), sit and reach flexibility (p = .002 [mild vs severe], p = .042 [moderate vs severe]), and handgrip strength (p = .001 [mild vs severe], p = .004 [moderate vs severe]) tests in comparison to children with mild and moderate symptoms of ASD. The results of this study support the implementation of a school-based INT intervention to reduce physical fitness disparities, while future studies should employ experimental research designs.