Department of Health Sciences, College of Health Professions and Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, 32816, USA.
School of Kinesiology and Physical Therapy, College of Health Professions and Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, 32816, USA.
Disabil Health J. 2021 Apr;14(2):100990. doi: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2020.100990. Epub 2020 Sep 11.
School settings may be optimal for physical activity interventions for youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Additionally, consumer-based fitness trackers may encourage youth with ASD to increase their physical activity levels, however, no studies have examined whether a fitness tracker program would be feasible in youth with ASD.
To examine the feasibility of a 12-week school-based Fitbit© program for youth with ASD.
Six classroom teachers and their students (n = 45) were provided with Fitbit fitness trackers to wear over 12-weeks. Classroom teachers monitored student tracker use and completed open-ended surveys to describe both their experience and their students' experience with the fitness trackers.
Out of the 45 eligible students, 42 (94%) opted to participate in the study. All six teachers and 32 (76%) of the 42 students wore the fitness tracker daily over 12 weeks. Teachers reported that students were most interested in tracking their daily steps, and the short batter life, and account set-up were the biggest challenges to students. All six teachers felt that this program could have long-term sustainability, especially if tracker use could be incorporated into school curriculum and classroom activities.
A school-based Fitbit program appears to be both feasible, and well-accepted by students with ASD. Future work should evaluate the preliminary efficacy of this type of program.
学校环境可能是为自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）青少年开展身体活动干预的最佳场所。此外，基于消费者的健身追踪器可能会鼓励 ASD 青少年增加身体活动水平，但尚无研究检验健身追踪器项目在 ASD 青少年中的可行性。
检验基于学校的 12 周 Fitbit©计划在 ASD 青少年中的可行性。
为 6 位任课教师及其学生（n=45）提供 Fitbit 健身追踪器，让他们佩戴 12 周。任课教师监测学生追踪器的使用情况，并完成开放式调查，以描述他们自己和学生使用追踪器的体验。
在 45 名符合条件的学生中，有 42 名（94%）选择参加研究。6 位教师和 42 名学生中的 32 名（76%）在 12 周内每天佩戴健身追踪器。教师报告称，学生最感兴趣的是追踪日常步数，而电池寿命短和账户设置是学生面临的最大挑战。所有 6 位教师都认为该计划具有长期可持续性，尤其是如果将追踪器的使用纳入学校课程和课堂活动中。
基于学校的 Fitbit 计划似乎既可行，又深受 ASD 青少年的欢迎。未来的工作应评估此类计划的初步效果。
