Physical activity correlates in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review

Abstract

Purpose

This systematic review examined correlates of physical activity (PA) at all levels of the socio-ecological model (i.e., intrapersonal, interpersonal, environmental and policy level) in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Materials and methods

Major electronic databases were searched from inception until March 23^rd, 2021. A summary coding was used to analyze the data for children (3–12 years) and adolescents (13–18 years) with ASD separately.

Results

Out of the 79 potential PA correlates, retrieved from 32 studies (991 657 children; 3857 adolescents), only five correlates were consistently examined as a PA correlate (i.e., examined in four or more studies) in children and adolescents with ASD. Only age was inversely associated with PA in children and adolescents with ASD. Data on gender, body mass index, autism severity level and day of the week being physically active in children with ASD were mixed.

Conclusions

We only found consistent evidence for age being inversely related to PA. Our review indicates that more research is needed to explore intrapersonal, interpersonal, environmental and policy-related correlates of PA in children and adolescents with ASD.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

• Rehabilitation programs should take into account that in particular older children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder are at risk for physical inactivity.

• Boys and girls with autism spectrum disorder need the same care when motivating them to be more physically active.

Keywords:

• Autism spectrum disorder
• exercise
• interpersonal
• intrapersonal
• environment

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).