Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment (Dec 2021)
Physical Activity and Motor Performance: A Comparison Between Young Children With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder
Abstract
Yi-Shan Sung,1,2 Sau Cheong Loh,3 Ling-Yi Lin1,4 1Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; 2Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan; 3Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling, Faculty of Education, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; 4Departments of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, TaiwanCorrespondence: Ling-Yi LinDepartment of Occupational Therapy, Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1 University Road, Tainan, 701, TaiwanTel +886-6-235-3535 ext. 5917Fax +886-6-237-6604Email [email protected]: This study aims to examine the differences in physical activity and motor performance between young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and children with typical development (TD) and to investigate the relationships between the levels of physical activity and motor performance.Patients and Methods: Twenty-five children with ASD (mean age = 59.3 ± 8.1 months) and 28 children with TD (mean age = 63.1 ± 8.6 months) were recruited. The Actigraph accelerometer, Movement Assessment Battery for Children-second edition, and Assessment of Preschool Children’s Participation were used.Results: Young children with ASD spent significantly less time in moderate and light physical activity and exhibited more sedentary behavior than did children with TD. Those children with ASD also had greater motor difficulties and engaged less frequently in physical recreation activities compared to their TD peers. Motor performance was significantly correlated with physical activity in all children.Conclusion: This study highlighted the specificity of the levels of physical activity, motor difficulties, and participation diversity in children with ASD comparing performances on children with TD. Additional research is needed to provide valuable information for early interventions.Keywords: autism spectrum disorder, physical activity, motor competence, early childhood, sedentary behavior
