Effects of a school-based integrative neuromuscular training exercise intervention on physical fitness among children with autism spectrum disorder

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of an eight-week, school-based integrative neuromuscular training (INT) intervention on the fitness levels of seventy-eight, 4-12-year-old children with mild, moderate, or severe symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Children participated in an INT intervention, consisting of three, one-hour sessions per week. Physical fitness was assessed pre-and post-intervention using a modified Eurofit test battery and analysed using a 3x2 ANOVA. This INT intervention resulted in significant improvements of physical fitness (p < .05) pre- to post-intervention (20 m sprint [p = .044], standing broad jump, sit and reach, handgrip and stork balance [p < .001]). Notably, children with severe symptoms of ASD showed significant improvements in standing broad jump (p = .001 [mild vs severe], p = .012 [moderate vs severe]), sit and reach flexibility (p = .002 [mild vs severe], p = .042 [moderate vs severe]), and handgrip strength (p = .001 [mild vs severe], p = .004 [moderate vs severe]) tests in comparison to children with mild and moderate symptoms of ASD. The results of this study support the implementation of a school-based INT intervention to reduce physical fitness disparities, while future studies should employ experimental research designs.