Investigating Level of Daily Physical Activity in Children with High Functioning Autism and its Relation with Age and Autism Severity
Year: 2013
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Because of high risk of physical inactivity in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and its adverse consequences, evaluating their physical activity (PA) using accelerometry and investigating its relation with age and severity of the disorder are integral. Materials & Methods: Fifty-two boys and 16 girls aged 7-14 years -from autism schools in Tehran- participated in current cross sectional study. Level of daily PA was evaluated for seven consecutive days using accelerometers. Autism severity was also assessed in communication, sociability, sensory and cognitive awareness, and health and physical behavior using Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC). Results: Ninety one percent of participants encountered low level of PA. Girls were remarkably less active than boys and were more inactive. Level of PA significantly reduced as they aged. Level of PA was adversely and significantly correlated with autism severity in the area of sensory and cognitive awareness. Moreover, level of vigorous PA was adversely and significantly correlated with total autism severity. Finally, age, sex, and sensory and cognitive awareness were partially predictors of PA. Conclusion: Children with HFA are physically inactive and considerably engage in
Source: مجله دانشگاه علوم پزشکی اراک
Institutions: University of Tehran, Tehran University of Medical Sciences
Language: English
Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2947272844