Zhang Weike, Cai Kelong, Xiong Xuan, Zhu Lina, Sun Zhiyuan, Yang Sixin, Cheng Wei, Mao Haiyong, Chen Aiguo
Nanjing Sport Institute, Nanjing, 210014, China.
Nantong Qixiu Middle School, Nantong, 226006, China.
Sci Rep. 2025 Jan 21;15(1):2629. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-87248-5.
Physical exercise has been demonstrated to effectively mitigate repetitive behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but the underlying dynamic brain network mechanisms are poorly understood. The triple network model consists of three brain networks that jointly regulate cognitive and emotional processes and is considered to be the core network underlying the aberrant manifestations of ASD. This study investigated whether a mini-basketball training program (MBTP) could alter repetitive behaviors and the dynamic connectivity of the triple network. 28 male children with ASD were scanned twice with resting-state functional MRI and assessed for repetitive behaviors using the repetitive behavior scale (RBS-R). 15 children in the exercise group participated in a 12-week MBTP, while 13 in the control group maintained their regular routines. The feature of Dynamic independent component analysis (dyn-ICA) is its ability to capture the rate of change in connectivity between brain regions. In this study, it was specifically employed to examine the triple network dynamic connectivity in both groups. Compared to the control group, the exercise group exhibited distinct dynamic connectivity patterns in two networks: Network 1 involved cross-network dynamic connectivity changes within the triple network, and Network 2 pertained to dynamic connectivity alterations within the default mode network. Furthermore, a reduction in the RBS-R Total score was observed in the exercise group, reflecting improvements in self-injurious behavior and restricted behavior. Correlation analysis revealed that the amelioration of repetitive behaviors was associated with enhanced dynamic connectivity in parts of the triple network. These findings suggest that MBTP can improve repetitive behaviors in ASD children and is linked to changes in triple network dynamic connectivity.
体育锻炼已被证明能有效减轻自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）儿童的重复行为，但潜在的动态脑网络机制尚不清楚。三重网络模型由三个共同调节认知和情感过程的脑网络组成，被认为是ASD异常表现的核心网络。本研究调查了迷你篮球训练计划（MBTP）是否能改变重复行为以及三重网络的动态连接性。28名患有ASD的男性儿童接受了两次静息态功能磁共振成像扫描，并使用重复行为量表（RBS-R）评估重复行为。运动组的15名儿童参加了为期12周的MBTP，而对照组的13名儿童保持日常活动。动态独立成分分析（dyn-ICA）的特点是能够捕捉脑区之间连接性的变化率。在本研究中，它被专门用于检查两组的三重网络动态连接性。与对照组相比，运动组在两个网络中表现出不同的动态连接模式：网络1涉及三重网络内的跨网络动态连接变化，网络2涉及默认模式网络内的动态连接改变。此外，运动组的RBS-R总分降低，反映出自伤行为和受限行为的改善。相关分析表明，重复行为的改善与三重网络部分区域动态连接性的增强有关。这些发现表明，MBTP可以改善ASD儿童的重复行为，并与三重网络动态连接性的变化有关。
