Your Therapy Source Magazine for Pediatric Therapists May 2016 | Page 10

Exercise, Behavior and Autism

Autism published a research review on the literature regarding behavioral outcomes of
exercise interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorder aged less than 16 years
old. Thirteen studies were included.
The results indicated:
1. exercise interventions consisting individually of jogging, horseback riding, martial arts,
swimming or yoga/dance can result in improvements to numerous behavioral outcomes
including stereotypic behaviors, social-emotional functioning, cognition and attention.
2. horseback riding and martial arts may produce the greatest results with moderate to large
effect sizes, respectively.
The researchers recommend additional research with well-controlled designs, standardized
assessments, larger sample sizes and longitudinal follow-ups. Also, additional research is
needed during early childhood (aged 0–5 years) and adolescence (aged 12–16 years) in
order to better understand the how exercises can have positive behavioral benefits for
children with autism.
Reference: Emily Bremer, Michael Crozier, and Meghann Lloyd. A systematic review of the
behavioural outcomes following exercise interventions for children and youth with autism
spectrum disorder. Autism 1362361315616002, first published on January 28, 2016
doi:10.1177/1362361315616002.

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