Autistic young adults’ experiences in physical activity: A phenomenological study

Young adulthood is a key period for establishing lifelong physical activity (PA) habits, yet little is known about how autistic young adults experience PA. The purpose of this study was to explore how autistic young adults make sense of their PA experiences and the meanings they ascribe to those experiences. Thirteen autistic young adults (ages 22-25) participated in semi-structured interviews about their PA experiences. A phenomenological qualitative approach with an interpretivist paradigm guided this study. Participants described how their PA experiences evolved over time. In childhood, many engaged in team sports, often encouraged by their parents. As they transitioned to adulthood, they shifted toward more independent activities (e.g. running, yoga). Social support from friends and teammates was a strong motivator, while personal achievements (e.g. reaching fitness goals) helped to build a sense of pride. Many participants emphasized the mental and emotional benefits of PA, including increased confidence, reduced stress, and a greater sense of control. These findings described how autistic young adults engaged in PA as they moved into adulthood and pointed to important factors to consider when creating supportive PA opportunities for this population.Lay AbstractMany autistic young adults face challenges in staying physically active as they grow older. This study explores how they experience physical activity (PA), what it means to them, and how their participation changes over time. We talked to 13 autistic young adults (ages 22-25) about their PA experiences from childhood to adulthood. We used a qualitative approach to identify key themes in their stories. Participants shared how their experiences with PA changed over time. As children, many played team sports, often because their parents encouraged them to join. As they got older, they preferred activities they could do on their own, like running or yoga. Friends and teammates helped motivate them to stay active, while setting and reaching personal fitness goals gave them a sense of pride. Many also said that PA helped them feel better emotionally, giving them more confidence, reducing stress, and making them feel more in control of their lives. These findings show how PA can positively impact autistic young adults and provide information into how to create better PA opportunities for them. Encouraging independence, building motivation, and promoting social connections can help support their participation in PA.