Objective Physical Activity and Health-Related Fitness in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Typically Developing Children: A Gender Study

Background: Physical activity (PA) patterns and health-related physical fitness (HRPF) among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), particularly with emphasis on gender differences are less examined. The present study aimed to objectively assess the PA and HRPF of children with ASD and to compare these findings with those of typically developing (TD) children, with a particular focus on gender differences.Method: This descriptive-correlational study was done in Tehran, Iran in 2023. We selected 76 students with ASD (35 girls, Mage=13.63±2.14) and 85 TD children (40 girls, Mage=13.47±2.04) as the study sample through the convenience sampling method. PA and HRPF were assessed using an accelerometer and the Brockport Physical Fitness Test, respectively. Independent t-tests and linear regressions were used to analyze data through SPSS version 26.Results: The ASD group engaged significantly in fewer daily moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) than the TD group (39.93±13.60 vs. 46.87±11.70 minutes per day, respectively, P=0.013). Boys in both ASD and TD groups exhibited significantly higher PA and HRPF as compared with girls (P<0.001 and P=0.040, respectively). As expected, MVPA was correlated with physical fitness in ASD (r=0.298, P<0.001) and TD groups (r=0.432, P<0.001) indicating that participants with higher MVPA were more physically fit.Conclusions: The results emphasized the need of targeted strategies and offerings geared to children and adolescents with ASD to promote an adequate level of PA and health-related physical fitness. Developing specific strategies for children with ASD is vital to promote proper PA and HRPF.