Physical Exercise and Contributors to Academic Performance Among Adolescents With ASD (Fit Club Study)

Detailed Description: Background:

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) typically have social impairment, have difficulty making decisions and problem solving (executive function) and have impaired motor performance. As a result, they are less likely to even live independently, be employed, go to college or get married. Few effective interventions have been found to help with the complex problems of people with ASD who are unable to establish independent lives. The investigators plan to begin the examination of using a regular physically challenging exercise program to support development of executive function (EF) and motor skills among children and young adults with ASD to improve academic behaviors and participation in adult activities.

In addition to having social, EF and motor problems, children and young adults with ASD often participate in limited physical activities, enjoy them less than do typically developing (TD) children, are less motivated to participate in physical activities than TD children, experience weight gain from medications, and encounter problems with reduced physical fitness and obesity. Lack of interest or motivation to exercise may make it difficult for them to comply with daily physical activity recommendations. As a result, these students are less likely to be involved in physical activity, enjoy fewer types of leisure activities, and experience limited relationships with peers, which eventually contribute to lower levels of participation in adult activities.

Benefits of Physical Activity:

Physical exercise has been shown to improve cognitive processes in TD individuals. It has a positive influence on symptoms seen in children and adolescents with ASD, including experiencing reductions in stereotypical behaviors, improved sensory skills and social responsiveness, improved concentration and memory, weight reduction, improved motor skills, improvement in executive function and a reduction in repetitive behaviors. Many of these skills are necessary for adult tasks such as driving, test-taking, employment, and engaging in other purposeful adult activities. The mechanism of improvement in these cognitive functions as a result of physical exercise is thought to be caused by increased cerebral blood flow, up-regulation of neuroprotective growth factors, and the cardiovascular benefits of exercise, which lead to an improvement in the delivery of oxygen and nutrients. It is not clear, however, if the amount of effort during exercise is related to the improvement in cognitive functions.