Barriers and facilitators to sports participation in autistic Europeans: insights from a large-scale questionnaire survey

The study underscores the importance of structured physical activity in improving both physical health and autism-specific characteristics. However, the findings highlight discrepancies between current practices and recommended physical activity levels. Increased accessibility to adapted sports programs, better awareness campaigns, and policy reforms are needed to encourage greater participation. Furthermore, the study suggests that practice type plays a key role, with individual, predictable activities being preferred over dynamic, team-based sports. By shedding light on sports habits among autistic individuals, this research provides a foundation for tailored interventions and public policies aimed at fostering an inclusive and sustainable sports culture across Europe.