Use the Back button in your browser to see the other results of your search or to select another record.

Detailed Search Results

The effects of aerobic exercise on academic engagement in young children with autism spectrum disorder [with consumer summary]
Oriel KN, George CL, Peckus R, Semon A
Pediatric Physical Therapy 2011 Summer;23(2):187-193
clinical trial
4/10 [Eligibility criteria: Yes; Random allocation: Yes; Concealed allocation: No; Baseline comparability: No; Blind subjects: No; Blind therapists: No; Blind assessors: Yes; Adequate follow-up: No; Intention-to-treat analysis: No; Between-group comparisons: Yes; Point estimates and variability: Yes. Note: Eligibility criteria item does not contribute to total score] *This score has been confirmed*

PURPOSE: To determine whether participation in aerobic exercise before classroom activities improves academic engagement and reduces stereotypic behaviors in young children with autism spectrum disorder. METHODS: This study employed a within-subjects crossover design, using a treatment condition (aerobic exercise) and a control condition, across 4 classrooms. The treatment condition included 15 minutes of running/jogging followed by a classroom task. The control condition included a classroom task not preceded by exercise. The number of stereotypic behaviors, percentage of on-task behavior, and correct/incorrect responses were measured. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare differences between conditions. RESULTS: Statistically significant improvements were found in correct responding following exercise (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found for on-task behavior or stereotypic behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with findings in older children, these results indicate that aerobic exercise prior to classroom activities may improve academic responding in young children with autism spectrum disorder.
For more information on this journal, please visit http://www.lww.com.

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help