Mao Hai-Yong, Qi Kai, Meng Shu-Qiao, Cai Ke-Long, Zhu Li-Na, Zhang Wei-Ke, Qiao Zhi-Yuan, Yang Yang, Chen Ai-Guo
Department of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.
Faculty of Physical Education, Gdańsk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdans, Poland.
Front Pediatr. 2025 Jul 17;13:1590666. doi: 10.3389/fped.2025.1590666. eCollection 2025.
This study aims to explore the effects of a 12-week Ball Combination Training Program (BCTP) on the physical fitness and Body Mass Index (BMI) of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
This study employed a 2 × 2 mixed experimental design. A total of 29 children diagnosed with ASD were included (mean age = 7.60 ± 2.81). The 29 participants were randomly assigned to either the BCTP group ( = 15) or the control group ( = 14). The BCTP group underwent 12 weeks of ball combination exercise training (5 times per week, 45 min per session) in addition to their regular rehabilitation therapy, while the control group continued their usual rehabilitation therapy and daily activities. BMI and physical fitness tests were conducted before and after the 12-week intervention.
The 12-week BCTP prevented increase in BMI ( < 0.05), which increased in the control group. Children in the BCTP group also showed improvements in physical fitness, which was measured using the 2 × 10-meter shuttle run, sit-and-reach, and tennis ball throw ( < 0.05), while no such improvements were seen in the control group.
The 12-week BCTP prevented an increase in BMI and improved the physical fitness of children with ASD in terms of speed, agility, flexibility, and upper body strength. Therefore, we recommend incorporating ball combination exercises into the physical rehabilitation of children with ASD to improve overall physical health and fitness.
本研究旨在探讨为期12周的球类组合训练计划（BCTP）对自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）儿童身体素质和体重指数（BMI）的影响。
本研究采用2×2混合实验设计。共纳入29名被诊断为ASD的儿童（平均年龄=7.60±2.81）。29名参与者被随机分配到BCTP组（n = 15）或对照组（n = 14）。BCTP组除了接受常规康复治疗外，还进行了12周的球类组合运动训练（每周5次，每次45分钟），而对照组继续其常规康复治疗和日常活动。在为期12周的干预前后进行了BMI和身体素质测试。
为期12周的BCTP可防止BMI增加（P<0.05），而对照组的BMI增加。BCTP组的儿童在身体素质方面也有所改善，这通过2×10米往返跑、坐位体前屈和网球投掷来衡量（P<0.05），而对照组未观察到此类改善。
为期12周的BCTP可防止ASD儿童的BMI增加，并在速度、敏捷性、灵活性和上肢力量方面改善其身体素质。因此，我们建议将球类组合运动纳入ASD儿童的身体康复训练中，以改善整体身体健康和体能。
