Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Motor Behavior Research Center, Sport Sciences Research Institute of Iran

2 College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Centre for Movement, Occupational and Rehabilitation Science (MOReS), Oxford Brookes University; Oxford Institute of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Research (OxINMAHR)

3 College of Medicine and Health, Medical School, University of Exeter

4 Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Khodabandeh Branch, Islamic Azad University, Khodabandeh, Iran

Abstract

Background: the purpose of this study was to evaluate the the effect of a physical exercise package on motor proficiency of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder.

Methods:in this research, 28 male students of a special school for children with autism spectrum disorder, who were in the age of 13 ± 4.018 (range of 7-20) years , were randomly divided into two groups of 14. The 14 students in the intervention group participated in the exercise sessions, 2 sessions per week for 12 weeks. Pre- and post-tests were performed on both groups. Motor proficiency was measured using the Bruininks Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2).

Results: The results of the study showed that the designed exercise package was significantly improved the total motor proficiency (P<0.01).

Conclusions:The finding of this research showed that implementing the developed exercise package and observing the principles set out in the program can have significant positive impacts on motor proficiency of Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Keywords