Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Lowell.
Percept Mot Skills. 2020 Oct;127(5):874-890. doi: 10.1177/0031512520927560. Epub 2020 May 22.
Children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have shown have low levels of physical fitness, increasing risks for health-related problems associated with inactivity, such as being overweight, when compared with typically developing children. Few studies have examined physical activity (PA) among adults with ASD. This U.S.-based study examined participation in and attitudes and barriers toward PA among adults with ASD and their peers without ASD. We used standardized existing scales to survey participants for data regarding their frequency of engagement in weekly PA (strenuous, moderate, light), attitudes toward PA, expectations of others, perceived behavioral control, intention toward PA, and perceived PA barriers. Findings indicated that, on average, the ASD group compared with the comparison group reported (a) less frequent strenuous or moderate PA, (b) less positive attitudes toward PA, (c) less perceived behavioral control or ease of performing PA, and (d) more PA barriers. There was also evidence that the ASD group reported less PA intent, but there was no difference between groups regarding beliefs about others' PA expectations for them. These findings suggest a need for more PA for adults with ASD, particularly because PA has potential to attenuate such ASD challenges as anxiety, stress, and sleeping difficulties.
自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）儿童和青少年的体能水平较低，与不活动相关的健康问题风险增加，例如超重，与正常发育的儿童相比。很少有研究检查过自闭症成年人的身体活动（PA）。这项基于美国的研究调查了自闭症成年人及其无自闭症同龄人参与身体活动的情况以及他们对身体活动的态度和障碍。我们使用标准化的现有量表调查参与者有关他们每周身体活动（剧烈、中度、轻度）频率、对身体活动的态度、对他人的期望、感知行为控制、对身体活动的意图以及感知身体活动障碍的数据。研究结果表明，与对照组相比，自闭症组平均报告（a）剧烈或中度身体活动的频率较低，（b）对身体活动的态度较消极，（c）感知行为控制或进行身体活动的容易程度较低，以及（d）身体活动障碍较多。还有证据表明，自闭症组报告的身体活动意图较少，但两组在关于他人对他们的身体活动期望的信念方面没有差异。这些发现表明，自闭症成年人需要更多的身体活动，特别是因为身体活动有可能减轻焦虑、压力和睡眠困难等自闭症挑战。
