Effects of Mini-Basketball Training Program on Executive Functions and Core Symptoms among Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Brain Sciences

Ai-Guo Chen¹  Zhi-Mei Liu¹  Jin-Gui Wang¹  Ke-Long Cai¹  Xuan Xiong¹  Liye Zou²  Fabian Herold³  Li-Na Zhu⁴ 

[1] College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China;Exercise and Mental Health Laboratory, School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China;Research Group Neuroprotection, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany;School of Physical Education and Sports Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100000, China;

关键词: exercise;    executive functions;    core symptoms;    children;    autism spectrum disorders;   

DOI  :  10.3390/brainsci10050263

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

This study examined the effects of a 12-week mini-basketball training program (MBTP) on executive functions and core symptoms among preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this quasi-experimental pilot study, 33 ASD preschoolers who received their conventional rehabilitation program were assigned to either a MBTP group (n = 18) or control group (n = 15). Specifically, the experimental group was required to take an additional 12-week MBTP (five days per week, one session per day, and forty minutes per session), while the control group was instructed to maintain their daily activities. Executive functions and core symptoms (social communication impairment and repetitive behavior) were evaluated by the Childhood Executive Functioning Inventory (CHEXI), the Social Responsiveness Scale-Second Edition (SRS-2), and the Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R), respectively. After the 12-week intervention period, the MBTP group exhibited significantly better performances in working memory (F = 7.51, p < 0.01, partial η² = 0.195) and regulation (F = 4.23, p < 0.05, partial η² = 0.12) as compared to the control group. Moreover, the MBTP significantly improved core symptoms of ASD preschoolers, including the social communication impairment (F = 6.02, p < 0.05, partial η² = 0.020) and repetitive behavior (F = 5.79, p < 0.05, partial η² = 0.016). Based on our findings, we concluded that the 12-week MBTP may improve executive functions and core symptoms in preschoolers with ASD, and we provide new evidence that regular physical exercise in the form of a MBTP is a promising alternative to treat ASD.

【 授权许可】

Unknown