Effects of group sports activities on physical activity and social interaction abilities of children with autism spectrum disorders

After the intervention, the sitting time of children in the experimental group was significantly reduced (<i>t</i> = -12.735, <i>p</i> < 0.001, Cohen <i>d</i> = 2.75), and the time of moderate and high-intensity physical activity was significantly increased (<i>t</i> = -8.79, <i>p</i> < 0.001, Cohen <i>d</i> = 1.82). In social interaction ability, the duration of loneliness was significantly reduced (<i>t</i> = -2.567, <i>p</i> < 0.017, Cohen <i>d</i> = 0.57), and the duration of joint participation (<i>t</i> = -3.009, <i>p</i> < 0.007, Cohen <i>d</i> = 0.02) and the regular game (<i>t</i> = -2.511, <i>p</i> < 0.026, Cohen <i>d</i> = 0.46) were significantly increased, respectively. 4 weeks after the intervention, the sedentary behavior and loneliness of the experimental group both continued to decrease. Group physical activities can improve the physical activity levels and social interaction skills of children with ASD and have a good effect on the maintenance.