Effects of Physical Activity on High School Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Main Author: Baugh, Angela Vanessa-Taca
• Language: EN
• Published: California State University, Los Angeles 2018
• Subjects: Special education
• Online Access: http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10255742

<p> Regular physical activity (PA) is vital for living a healthy life and reduced chance of disease for people of all ages. Despite the U.S. government guidelines, many adolescents do not regularly participate or get enough physical activity and research has shown physical activity occurring with much less frequency for youth with disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) when compared to youth without disabilities (Pan &amp; Frey, 2006). Fewer social opportunities and higher levels of disruptive and interfering behavior may contribute to these discrepancies. The current study compared two types of physical activity, instructor-led and exergaming among 3 high school students with ASD in a classroom after school. Using an alternating treatment design, results report levels of participation and active physical engagement during each condition. Limitations are considered along with application to practice for increasing involvement in physical education activities.</p><p>