5. Individual sports improve coordination. All sports improve coordination,
but individual sports tend to be more
“whole body” sports.
Think of the type of movement required for
swimming breaststroke versus the type of movement required for playing shortstop.
6. Individual sports can burn off a lot
of excess energy.
Many individual sports are endurance-based.
Even moderately vigorous physical activity will
burn off excess energy and trigger the release of
endorphins, which not only improve mood but
can reduce anxiety and improve sleeping habits.
7. Individual sports tend to be rhythmic,
repetitive and predictable.
Not only are running, cycling and swimming
like large-scale, socially-acceptable stims, but
also, they use a limited number of movements
that focus on gross motor skills. Together, these
qualities make them both easy to learn and a
healthy part of a sensory diet.
Cynthia Kim blogs at Musings of an Aspie and
is the author of two books: Nerdy, Shy and Socially Inappropriate: A User Guide to an Asperger Life and I Think I Might Be Autistic.
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ZOOM Autism through Many Lenses
ZOOM Autism through Many Lenses
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