Physical Activity in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Developmental Coordination Disorder

Background:

Children with ASD typically have difficulty with social communication and restricted repetitive behaviours, which may in turn impact physical activity (PA). PA is known to have benefits on overall health, promotes psychological well-being and improves mood while reducing perceived-anxiety. Studies which have examined PA in children with ASD or developmental coordination disorder (DCD) have found a reduced amount of time spent in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) than typically developing peers. Children with ASD are 40% more likely to be overweight or obese than typically developing peers and children with DCD are also more likely to be overweight. The American College of Sports Medicine guidelines for PA state that children should participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous PA every day.

Objectives:

The objectives of this study were to evaluate PA and sedentary behaviour across four groups – ASD, DCD, dual-diagnosis (ASD&DCD) and typically developing controls (TD).

Methods:

A parent-reported online survey was circulated via social media. School-going children with a diagnosis of ASD-only, DCD-only, ASD and DCD, and typically developing controls were included. The survey assessed children’s PA during a typical school week – modes of to school, structured PA during and after school, and sedentary time. Chi-squared tests evaluated data proportions for significant differences.

Results:

Of 884 parental responses to the survey, 737 met inclusion criteria and were allocated into study groups. The sample was 75% male, 25% female.  The Survey Demographics figure shows sample characteristics. There was no correlation between gender and activity levels in the groups, and no difference in mode of transport to school or time spent in PE class.

Children with ASD and/or dyspraxia spent significantly less time in structured PA than controls – 62% of children with ASD spent two hours or less; 33% of controls (p<0.05). All groups demonstrated a high percentage of children participating in less than six hours of PA per week (p=0.0003). Children with ASD and/or DCD were less likely to participate in group sports than individual sports than controls (p=0.003).

There was a significant difference in the time spent in sedentary-type behaviours (screen time or reading) - 61% of children with ASD&DCD spent more than six hours per week in sedentary behaviour, similar to ASD group at 58% and DCD group at 52% but significantly more than the controls at 38% (p=0.009) and 20% of all children with ASD and/or dyspraxia spent 14 hours or more each week in sedentary-type behaviours. Age from 11+ years was positively correlated with time spent in these behaviours.

Conclusions:

Results suggest that children with ASD spent more time in an average week in sedentary behaviour and less time in structured PA, and were less active compared to TD controls. A large proportion of all groups spent less than six hours per week in PA, not meeting recommended daily guidelines of at least 60 minutes of MVPA and suggesting an increased risk of health issues related to overweight or obesity. Further study involving activity monitoring may allow objective measurement of MVPA.