The Effects of Exercise on Behavior and Fitness in Children With ASD

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Behavior; Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Interventions: Other: Exercise

• Registration Number: NCT04047615
• Lead Sponsor: Institute of Technology, Carlow

Brief Summary

This study will examine the effects of a school based exercise intervention programme on the behaviour and fitness levels in children with autism.

Detailed Description

This study will examine the effects of a school based exercise intervention programme on the behaviour and fitness levels in children with autism. Local primary schools who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) class will be approached to participate in the project. The age profile of the children will be 4-12 years of age and they will have mild-sever levels of autism. The exercise intervention programme will be delivered 3 times per week in the schools over an 8 week period.

Children will be fitness tested to assess the change in fitness levels over the 8 week period. Questionnaires will be given to the parents and teachers of the children at the beginning and at the end of the programme to assess changes in behaviour levels as a result of the exercise intervention programme.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2019-08
• Study First Submitted: 2019-08-05
• Study First Submitted QC: 2019-08-05
• Study First Posted: 2019-08-07
• Last Update Submitted: 2019-08-07
• Last Update Posted: 2019-08-09
• Study Start: 2019-09-01
• Primary Completion: 2021-02
• Study Completion: 2021-02

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 50

Inclusion Criteria

• Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Exclusion Criteria

• Any medical condition which excludes the child from partaking in exercise

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Exercise effects on Behavior	Exercise	An exercise intervention programme will be implemented 3 times a week for an 8 week period of time in a school setting. Each exercise class will last 60 minutes. The exercise classes will be fun for the students to participate in and will involve aspects of fundamental movement skills.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Behavior	Change from baseline at Week 4 and Week 8	Changes in behavior levels of the children will be assessed using the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale 2nd Edition.; Higher the value (total score) the more likely the individual has Autism.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Fitness Level	Change from baseline at Wkke 4 and Week 8	The modified eurofit test will be used to investigate fitness levels of the children

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Institute of Technology, Carlow; 🇮🇪 Carlow, Ireland